Select for Inspection MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 63
2020-11-12 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
Text of card
Return target tapped creature to its owner's hand. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Cards like Select for Inspection
Select for Inspection stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a flexible choice for tempo play. It’s akin to cards like Unsummon, which offers a similar effect of returning a creature to its owner’s hand. Although both are instant-speed and low-cost control tools, Select for Inspection provides an additional scry 1, allowing for more strategic deck manipulation, setting it apart from its counterpart.
Another comparable card is Vapor Snag, which not only bounces a creature back but also inflicts one damage to its controller. This slight variation offers players a layer of offensive strategy while still serving as a tactical retreat mechanism for the opponent’s creatures. However, it lacks the scry ability, which can be crucial in shaping upcoming draws.
Ultimately, Select for Inspection provides a nuanced role in player decks by combining creature disruption with the foresight of scry. As we compare it to its cousins in the bounce spell family, we appreciate its unique niche in strategic gameplay and the subtle advantage it gives in controlling the flow of the match.
Cards similar to Select for Inspection by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The “Select for Inspection” card offers a tactical advantage by returning a tapped creature to its owner’s hand. This action not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy but also paves the way to draw an additional card, keeping your hand stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly operate as a resource accelerator, it effectively delays your opponent’s plan, potentially giving you an edge by conserving your resources and allowing you to maintain the pace of the game.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG and the instant speed of “Select for Inspection” affords you the ability to react swiftly to developing threats. This strategic timing can turn the tide of a match, letting you decide the best moment during the combat phase to return a problematic creature and draw a card.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While “Select for Inspection” does not require a card to be discarded, it’s important to note that similar control cards may have this disadvantage. In situations where your hand size is critical, these alternatives can set you back, particularly against aggressive decks that pressure your card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires a single blue mana, which, while not particularly restrictive, does make it a less versatile choice in multicolored decks. Its dependence on blue mana means that decks without a solid blue mana base will find it difficult to integrate “Select for Inspection”.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Granted, “Select for Inspection” has a low mana cost at only one blue mana. However, when comparing it to the suite of other one-mana spells available in MTG, particularly in the context of tempo plays, there are other options that might provide a stronger immediate board impact or less conditional responses.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Select for Inspection offers strategic flexibility in many blue-centric decks. Its ability to return an attacking or blocking creature to its owner’s hand makes it a great response to sudden threats or to reset the board.
Combo Potential: By returning creatures to the hand, it pairs well with enter-the-battlefield abilities, allowing you to maximize value from creatures that have impactful effects when they enter the play area.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creature decks are prevalent, having a low-cost spell like Select for Inspection can significantly hinder your opponent’s tempo, making it a savvy inclusion for those anticipating fast-paced matches.
How to beat
Select for Inspection is a unique spell in MTG, allowing players to return a tapped creature to its owner’s hand and scry 1. Defeating this card requires a nuanced understanding of timing. Select for Inspection targets only tapped creatures, so the key lies in minimizing opportunities for your opponent to use it effectively. One strategy is to maintain a mix of untapped creatures, allowing you flexibility in response to your adversary’s plays. Consider using hexproof creatures to remove the chance of being targeted or employing instant speed effects after your opponent has exhausted their mana, reducing their ability to play Select for Inspection.
Avoid overcommitting to the attack, especially if your opponent has mana available and cards in hand, as this card can provide them significant tempo gain and scrying can help them maintain card quality. Be wary not only of the temporary setback but also of the potential knowledge and strategic planning they gain from the scry. Furthermore, keeping up countermagic or abilities that can grant indestructible or protection to your creatures can also negate the impact of Select for Inspection.
Understanding the intricacies of when to execute your combat phases and maintaining board state resilience can ensure that Select for Inspection doesn’t disrupt your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Select for Inspection MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Select for Inspection 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
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Printings
The Select for Inspection Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by James Paick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Select for Inspection has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Select for Inspection card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | If the target creature becomes untapped or otherwise becomes an illegal target before Select for Inspection resolves, the spell doesn't resolve. The creature remains on the battlefield and you won't scry 1. |