Return to Action MTG Card


Return to Action revives creatures, impacting the board at a minimal mana cost, enhancing gameplay pace. It operates at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility and disrupting opponents’ plans during their turn. A necessary discard for its activation can be a strategic drawback, reducing hand size and options.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Until end of turn, target creature gets +1/+0 and gains lifelink and "When this creature dies, return it to the battlefield tapped under its owner's control."

"You're hurt? Too bad. You stop fighting when I say, and not a moment sooner." —Satoru Umezawa


Cards like Return to Action

Return to Action is a unique offering in the Magic: The Gathering universe, providing players with graveyard recursion capabilities. This card echoes the mechanics found in other revival spells such as Unearth, enabling the return of creatures from graveyard to play. However, Unearth differs in that it only brings back the creature until end of turn and then exiles it, while Return to Action allows the creature to stay on the battlefield.

Analogous to Return to Action is the widely known Zombify, which also reanimates a creature without the temporary restriction of Unearth. However, Zombify demands a higher mana investment, which can impact the tempo of one’s game plan. Balancing cost against effect is an important consideration, and this is where Return to Action shines, offering a more cost-efficient, albeit less flashy, form of reanimation.

Comparisons aside, Return to Action finds its niche in balancing mana efficiency with permanence of effect, a harmonious blend that allows it to occupy a distinct space amongst MTG reanimation spells. Its strategic value and adaptable use in various gameplay scenarios validate its place in a player’s deck.

Unearth - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Return to Action by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Return to Action gives players the edge by bringing a creature back from the graveyard to the battlefield, essentially drawing from a pool of creatures that could enhance their board state.

Resource Acceleration: This card not only retrieves a valuable creature but also ensures a seamless transition by doing so at an efficient mana cost, allowing for a quicker, more aggressive gameplay that can outpace opponents.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Return to Action can be cast at the most opportune time, often at the end of an opponent’s turn, keeping one’s strategy flexible and responsive while disrupting the opponent’s plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To utilize Return to Action, you must discard a card, which could diminish your hand and negatively impact your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mix of mana types to cast, which might not align seamlessly with all deck constructs, potentially causing delays or restricting its playability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When measured against other cards with similar effects, Return to Action’s mana cost is on the higher end, potentially making it a suboptimal choice when curating a deck focused on efficiency and mana curve balance.


Reasons to Include Return to Action in Your Collection

Versatility: Return to Action offers distinct flexibility for multiple deck builds. It can be seamlessly integrated into strategies that capitalize on creatures by allowing you to bring key pieces back from the graveyard to the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With its inherent ability to resurrect creatures, Return to Action works wonders in combo decks, setting the stage for powerful interactions and enabling repeatable effects that may have been interrupted by opponents’ removal spells.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies prevail or where graveyard interaction plays a central role, Return to Action can become an essential tool. Its relevance increases as it counters widespread removal effects, allowing for a swift recovery and maintaining board presence.


How to beat

Return to Action is an interesting card seen in several MTG decks, prized for its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield. When strategizing against it, one effective approach is to limit the number of worthwhile targets in your opponent’s graveyard. This can be achieved by utilizing graveyard hate cards that can exile cards from graveyards or by playing control elements that counter crucial spells, minimizing the value your opponent receives from Return to Action.

Another tactic is to focus on exile removal spells such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which remove creatures from the game entirely rather than sending them to the graveyard. This approach effectively undermines the potency of Return to Action by ensuring that there are no creatures for it to target. By carefully managing the state of your opponent’s graveyard and choosing your removal spells wisely, you can diminish the impact of Return to Action and maintain the upper hand in your matches.

In essence, Return to Action maintains its usefulness in the right context, but with a well-crafted strategy and the right countermeasures, you can effectively navigate around its advantages and keep your MTG gameplay sharp and competitive.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you enjoy the tactical depth of MTG, you’ll appreciate the benefits Return to Action can offer. Tailored for gamers looking to reclaim and capitalize on their creatures, it blends graveyard strategy with immediate board impact. This card’s instant speed and ability to disrupt at critical moments make it a tool for those who treasure flexibility and surprise in combat. As you refine your deck, consider the implications of Return to Action, despite its higher mana requirement and discard condition. Delve deeper into its strategic use, especially within graveyard-synergistic decks, and you might just unlock a new level of gameplay. Enhance your deck’s resilience by learning more about Return to Action and similar strategic elements in MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Return to Action // Return to Action MTG card by a specific set like Neon Dynasty Art Series and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Return to Action // Return to Action and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Return to Action // Return to Action Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Jeremy Wilson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Neon Dynasty Art SeriesANEO 122015Art seriesBorderlessJeremy Wilson
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 1212015NormalBlackJeremy Wilson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Return to Action has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal