Change of Heart MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Buyback
Released	1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set name	Stronghold
Set code	STH
Number	3
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Key Takeaways

Change of Heart sways battles by temporarily commandeering creatures at instant speed.
Discarding and specific white mana costs constrain its play to certain deck structures.
Versatile and meta-relevant, it’s a powerhouse in creature control strategies.

Text of card

Buyback o3 (You may pay an additional o3 when you play this spell. If you do, put it into your hand instead of your graveyard as part of the spell's effect.) Target creature cannot attack this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Change of Heart card is exceptional at temporarily removing an opposing creature from combat or nullifying a potential blocker, effectively tipping the scales in your favor without losing card equity in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although Change of Heart doesn’t directly produce mana or accelerate resources, its ability to potentially shift the momentum of the game can indirectly lead to a more dominant board position, which in Magic the Gathering, often translates to resource dominance as well.

Instant Speed: The fact that Change of Heart can be played at instant speed adds a strategic layer to gameplay. With its ability to alter combat outcomes or surprise an opponent when they least expect it, it’s a versatile tool that can be used both defensively and offensively depending on the situation at hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Change of Heart can potentially swing the game in your favor by taking control of an opponent’s creature, it does come with a significant drawback. The card requires you to discard from your hand, a cost that may not always be comfortable, particularly if your hand is already short on cards. This condition tends to make it less appealing when you’re playing from behind.

Specific Mana Cost: Change of Heart’s casting cost is not just steep but specific as well. Requiring both generic and white mana to cast means that decks without a consistent mana base or those that aren’t built around white mana might struggle to play it efficiently. This specificity severely limits the card’s versatility and relegates it to mono-white or two-color decks where white mana is abundant.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is demanding, there are alternative cards in the MTG universe that could provide a similar or better effect at a lower cost. It’s fair to consider whether this mana investment is the best option when compared to other control or temporary gain-control spells available. This pondering often leads players to seek other cards to fill this niche in their decks, particularly in a competitive environment where efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Change of Heart in Your Collection

Versatility: Change of Heart has the adaptability to fit into numerous decks, notable for its ability to swiftly alter the tides of combat. This card is especially useful in decks that aim to control opponents’ creatures and swing crucial turns in your favor.

Combo Potential: The card’s capability to temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature can be combined with various sacrifice effects, making it a destructive force in combination decks. It allows for surprise interactions that can dismantle an opponent’s strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Change of Heart can be exceedingly impactful. It can turn opposing threats into temporary allies, providing a strategic advantage that aligns well with the shifting dynamics of the current metagame.

How to beat

Change of Heart is a card that commands respect in the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. To traverse the strategic landscape shaped by this card, it’s crucial to understand the dynamics it brings into play. One effective strategy is to limit the targets available for Change of Heart’s influence. This can be achieved through maintaining a streamlined board presence, deploying creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities, or utilizing countermeasures like counter spells that can nullify spells before they take effect.

Another tactic involves the timing of spells and abilities. Since Change of Heart is used only during your turn, playing spells or activating abilities in your opponent’s end step minimizes the window of opportunity for them to alter the tide with Change of Heart. Additionally, cards that can swiftly return to the battlefield, such as those with the persist or undying abilities, can outpace the temporary setback imposed by Change of Heart, maintaining pressure on your adversary.

In summation, while the card’s ability to redirect the flow of combat can be daunting, leveraging protective measures, strategic spellcasting, and resilient creatures can effectively mitigate its influence, keeping you in command of the game’s trajectory.

Cards like Change of Heart

Change of Heart stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique control spell, largely due to its ability to temporarily commandeer an opponent’s creature during the combat phase. Highlighting its singularity, take into account cards like Act of Treason or Harness by Force, both of which also snatch creatures away, but with more permanence for the duration of the turn. Change of Heart’s spotlight, however, is on timing, requiring strategic play during the opponent’s combat phase, unlike the more adaptable use of the other two.

Another relative in this sphere is Ray of Command, which mirrors Change of Heart’s instant speed. The difference, however, is that Ray of Command gives control of the creature for the entire turn, offering a broader window for tactics. Lastly, Unwilling Recruit delivers a similar effect with an added punch by boosting the creature’s power, though at a higher mana cost and potentially lower utility without the instant speed advantage.

Understanding these nuances aids players in crafting decks tailored to specific strategies, and while Change of Heart may seem more situational, its instant control can pivot the tide of combat, showcasing its formidable position among MTG’s creature control arsenal.

Cards similar to Change of Heart by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Change of Heart MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Change of Heart and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Change of Heart has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Change of Heart will not remove an already attacking creature from combat. It must be cast before attackers are declared or it won’t have any noticeable effect on the game.