Split the Party MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Number | 76 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Text of card
Choose target player. Return half the creatures they control to their owner's hand, rounded up.
Don't.
Cards like Split the Party
Split the Party, a unique entry in the suite of control spells in Magic: The Gathering, invites comparisons with a variety of bounce spells. It mirrors Unsummon in its ability to return creatures to their owner’s hand, but Split the Party ramps up this concept by targeting multiple creatures if a player controls three or more. In contrast, Unsummon is limited to a single target and lacks the strategic impact of Clear the Mind.
Evacuation is another card that shares the theme of disrupting opponent’s creatures, clearing the battlefield with its sweeping effect. However, Split the Party offers more surgical precision, only affecting one side of the battlefield. This allows for maintaining board presence while setting back the opponent’s board development. Cyclonic Rift also fits here, providing a flexible response with its overload ability, which can clear opponents’ nonland permanents. Nevertheless, Split the Party’s specific conditions for a multipronged return to hand can be more cost-effective within a narrower scope.
Evaluating these spells, Split the Party secures a distinct position in Magic: The Gathering’s control arsenal. It balances cost with impact, potentially swinging the game when timed correctly, making it a fine-tuned tool in creature-heavy metas.
Cards similar to Split the Party by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Split the Party enables you to potentially remove multiple creatures from your opponent’s board. This not only disrupts their strategy but can give you a significant edge by reducing their resources while maintaining your own.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the effect of bouncing opponent’s creatures to their hand can set them back on tempo, giving you an indirect advantage in terms of resource management.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Split the Party at instant speed offers flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats or actions during your opponent’s turn. This strategic benefit can lead to advantageous trades or prevent opponent’s combos from executing as planned.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Split the Party is that it mandates you to discard a card upon casting, potentially putting you at a resource disadvantage, especially if your hand size is already diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a very specific combination of mana types to cast, Split the Party can be restrictive and challenging to play outside of decks that can reliably generate both blue and black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effect, players might find that Split the Party competes unfavorably for a slot in a deck when more cost-effective alternatives are available.
Reasons to Include Split the Party in Your Collection
Versatility: Split the Party offers strategic flexibility in gameplay, allowing players to respond to a variety of board states by potentially removing multiple creatures from opponents’ control. This versatility makes it a smart addition for players who enjoy maintaining open-ended tactics during matches.
Combo Potential: While Split the Party can be a stand-alone disruptive force, its real value shines when paired with cards that capitalize on opponents having fewer creatures. It works seamlessly in decks that benefit from reducing opponent’s board presence, magnifying its impact beyond the initial cast.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies dominate, Split the Party can turn the tide of battle. Its ability to disrupt synergistic opponent plays and dismantle offensive lines is essential for those looking to outmaneuver such prevalent deck types in current competitive scenes.
How to beat
Split the Party is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt your opponent’s board presence significantly. To counteract this card, maintaining a diverse and plentiful board state is key. The moment Split the Party targets your creatures, having a wide range of low and high-cost creatures ensures you don’t lose your most valuable assets. Deploying cards with hexproof or indestructible can also thwart the effectiveness of this card, as it relies on being able to target creatures directly.
Another strategy lies in hand disruption. If you can force your opponent to discard Split the Party before they have the chance to cast it, you effectively neutralize the threat. Look for spells that can peek into your rival’s hand and either force discards or shuffle Split the Party back into their library. Keep in mind that reactive strategies involving counterspells or instant-speed board presence can catch an opponent off-guard, potentially wasting their Split the Party. Staying one step ahead and being adaptable ensures that you won’t be caught unprepared by this disruptive spell.
To sum up, while Split the Party definitely has the potential to swing the game, a smart approach involving diversification, protection, and disruption can help you maintain control and reduce its impact on your strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Split the Party MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Split the Party 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Split the Party has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Split the Party card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | The player that controls Split the Party chooses which creatures to return to their owner's hand as it resolves. |