Return to Battle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 1999-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal Three Kingdoms |
| Set code | PTK |
| Number | 81 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | White |
| Illustred by | Ding Songjian |
Text of card
Return any one creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
"Swallowing his eye, the valiant Xiahou Dun fought on; / But Cao Cao's vanguard, its commander wounded, could not hold out for long."
Cards like Return to Battle
Return to Battle stands out in the Magic: The Gathering landscape as it offers players a strategic advantage in reanimating creatures from the graveyard. When comparing it to other cards with similar objectives, Animate Dead is a classic counterpart; it also returns a creature card from the graveyard to the battlefield, but it attaches to the creature and has a negative impact on its power.
Unearth is another related card that allows a player to return a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield. Just like Return to Battle, it’s a one-time ticket back into the game, but Unearth is limited to creatures with a converted mana cost of 3 or less, whereas Return to Battle does not impose this restriction.
Zombify is also in the same realm of resurrection spells. It offers the same essential function of bringing a creature back to the battlefield from the graveyard. Despite similarities in their end goals, Zombify demands a heftier mana investment than Return to Battle, which may alter the dynamics of gameplay for the player.
Given these comparisons, Return to Battle holds a distinctive place for its sheer flexibility and lower mana cost, offering a versatile option for players looking to reanimate creatures without stringent limitations.
Cards similar to Return to Battle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Return to Battle excels at cycling through your deck by returning a creature card from your graveyard to your hand. This effectively negates a past loss and gives you more options to outmaneuver your opponent, keeping your hand filled with potential plays.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does this card help in reassembling your forces, but it also serves as a catalyst for your battle strategy. Returning a key creature to your hand can often accelerate your resource deployment, setting you up for an advantageous board state in a blink.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Return to Battle at instant speed provides tactical flexibility often unexpected by your adversary. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment, such as the end of your opponent’s turn, to pull off a surprising comeback, keeping them constantly on their heels.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Return to Battle demands the sacrifice of card advantage, compelling players to discard as part of the casting cost. Such a stipulation can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, potentially setting you back even further in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Restriction is evident in its casting requirements where a tailored mana base is necessary. The card’s distinct mana requirement could pose deckbuilding constraints, limiting its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce the right colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Return to Battle, its mana value may be seen as prohibitive. With alternative options available, some may offer similar or better effects at a lower cost, questioning the card’s efficacy in fast-paced or mana-efficient strategies.
Reasons to Include Return to Battle in Your Collection
Versatility: Return to Battle is known for its ability to be slotted into various decks due to its efficient creature return mechanism. This card is ideal for strategies focused on reanimation or second-chance plays.
Combo Potential: Its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard directly into play creates numerous opportunities to combo with abilities that trigger upon a creature entering the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing MTG landscape, Return to Battle maintains its relevance by countering removal-heavy decks, allowing you to keep key creatures in the game.
How to beat
Overcoming Return to Battle in MTG demands strategic play and a deep understanding of the card’s mechanism. This powerful card can swing the tempo of the game by returning a creature from your graveyard to the battlefield. To counter this, players should consider timing their removal spells carefully. Instant-speed removal can disrupt your opponent’s plans by exiling or destroying the targeted creature in response, negating the card’s effects.
In addition, graveyard disruption cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can neutralize Return to Battle’s advantage by removing creatures from the graveyard before the card has a chance to act. Another effective method is to apply pressure through aggressive board presence, thus forcing your opponent to use their mana defensively rather than proactively with cards like Return to Battle.
Ultimately, understanding when to hold back key cards and when to apply pressure can make all the difference against Return to Battle. By closely monitoring graveyard activity and maintaining a responsive hand, you can dampen the impact of this card and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Return to Battle MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Battle and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Return to Battle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |