Riddleform MTG Card

Riddleform excels at ensuring card quality on top of the deck with its scry ability. Transforms into a swift, flying creature, elevating blue decks’ combat capabilities. Despite mana-specificity and high activation cost, it’s a resilient and adaptive card.

Hour of Devastation (HOU)
2017-07-14 - Number 43

Core Set 2021 (M21)
2020-07-03 - Number 64

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 75

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Abilities	Scry

Text of card

Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, you may have Riddleform become a 3/3 Sphinx creature with flying in addition to its other types until end of turn. : Scry 1.

Cards like Riddleform

Riddleform stands out in the realm of transformative enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, drawing comparisons to other cards that defy conventional categorization. Notably, it shares similarities with cards like Thing in the Ice, which also transforms under specific conditions. Riddleform, unique in its capacity, becomes a creature with flying upon casting a noncreature spell. While Thing in the Ice requires casting several spells before transforming and clearing the board, Riddleform offers a more nimble approach, activating with just one spell but without affecting other creatures.

Exploring the same thematic vein, we see Delver of Secrets, a creature that transforms into a powerful flyer but only after revealing an instant or sorcery card from the top of your deck during the upkeep. In contrast, Riddleform provides the flyer transformation with each spell cast, offering more consistent offensive potential in a spell-heavy deck. Then there’s Faerie Vandal, which, although does not transform, benefits from drawing cards by growing stronger each time you draw your second card each turn.

When looking closely at these options, Riddleform proves to be a versatile inclusion for players who favor decks brimming with noncreature spells, providing an aggressive and repeatable threat on the board.

Cards similar to Riddleform by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Riddleform is known for its ability to scry when you cast a noncreature spell, ensuring you keep the most relevant cards on top of your deck while letting you filter out the less desirable ones. This strategic edge keeps your hand filled with actionable plays.

Resource Acceleration: While Riddleform itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its synergy with spells that do provide acceleration ensures that it seamlessly fits into decks that prioritize a quick buildup of mana and powerful plays.

Instant Speed: This unique enchantment transforms at instant speed in response to casting a noncreature spell, making it a formidable and unpredictable creature capable of swinging in for damage even during your opponent’s turn. This flexibility can be a decisive factor in the course of a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The utilization of Riddleform in a deck requires you to consistently cast noncreature spells to trigger its transformation. This additional layer of setup can be cumbersome, especially if your hand doesn’t align with this requirement.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a blue-centric card, Riddleform can be restrictive as it demands blue mana for its activation. This can potentially pose challenges in multicolor decks that might experience mana color inconsistencies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost set at two mana to enable its flying ability, Riddleform can be a mana-intensive play. In scenarios where mana efficiency is key, players might opt for other cards that offer flying or combat tricks at a lower investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Riddleform fits seamlessly into various blue-based strategies, thriving in spell-heavy decks. Its ability to become a creature without a conversion cost makes it an agile piece of any puzzle.

Combo Potential: When paired with cheap spells or cantrips, Riddleform can transform into a flying threat, synergizing well with strategies that capitalize on spellslinging and prowess-like effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state loaded with removal, Riddleform retains resilience, dodging sorcery-speed board wipes while not on the battlefield as a creature. Its consistent performance in decks that prioritize casting spells makes it a formidable choice.

How to Beat Riddleform

Riddleform is a unique spell often seen in blue archetype decks, known for its ability to become a creature with a swing of three damage. When looking to tackle this challenging card, removal spells that can target noncreature permanents are your foremost allies. Engaging options like Abrade gain an advantage since they can handle the Riddleform before it transforms into a creature or destroy an artifact if needed.

Another strategic path is utilizing bounce spells at the opportune moment. This forces your opponent to reinvest mana to replay Riddleform, potentially disrupting their tempo. Building a board presence with creatures that can withstand a hit from a transformed Riddleform is also a practical approach, as it can force unfavorable trades for your opponent.

Lastly, always be prepared for the scenarios in which your opponent attempts to trigger Riddleform’s transformation. Keep instant-speed interaction on hand to address the card after it becomes a creature but before it attacks. Timing is crucial, and managing to unsettle an opponent’s planned play sequence can often swing the game back in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Riddleform MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Core Set 2021, 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 Riddleform and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Riddleform Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-07-14	Hour of Devastation	HOU	43	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Argyle
2	2020-07-03	Core Set 2021	M21	64	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Argyle
3	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR	75	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Riddleform has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Riddleform card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2020-06-23	If Riddleform becomes a creature the same turn it enters the battlefield, you can't attack with it unless it gains haste.
2020-06-23	Riddleform's first ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger but after targets for that spell are chosen. It will resolve even if that spell is countered.