Sword of Once and Future MTG Card


Equips for card advantage by retrieving two cards from the graveyard, reinforcing your hand and strategy. Boosts mana resources by creating Treasure tokens, allowing for quicker and potentially decisive plays. Flexibility with instant speed plays makes this card a tactical asset in evolving MTG battles.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip,Surveil

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has protection from blue and from black. Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, surveil 2. Then you may cast an instant or sorcery spell with mana value 2 or less from your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that spell would be put into your graveyard, exile it instead. Equip


Cards like Sword of Once and Future

The Sword of Once and Future is a noteworthy equipment card in Magic: The Gathering, holding its own within a versatile arsenal of artifact weapons. Its nearest relatives include the Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of Feast and Famine, both offering protection from two colors and granting two abilities when the equipped creature deals combat damage. Where the Sword of Once and Future diverges is in its unique blend of abilities, including retrieving a card from the graveyard and library manipulation.

Another comparison could be made with the Sword of Light and Shadow, which also focuses on the theme of recursion, though it specifies the return of a creature card from the graveyard to your hand. While the Sword of Light and Shadow provides a more direct recursion effect, the Sword of Once and Future offers a broader selection by allowing you to draw a card as well. Comparably, Umezawa’s Jitte doesn’t offer card advantage directly but provides versatility in combat buffing and removal, traits that experienced players can leverage smartly during gameplay.

Delving into this category highlights the Sword of Once and Future’s place as a compelling option, balancing both offensive capabilities and strategic card retrieval that can significantly tip the scales of a Magic: The Gathering match.

Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Sword of Light and Shadow - MTG Card versions
Umezawa's Jitte - MTG Card versions
Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Sword of Light and Shadow - MTG Card versions
Umezawa's Jitte - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sword of Once and Future by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Sword of Once and Future. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange StandardThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardJund MidrangeThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
B/W MidB/W Mid Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Four-color MillFour-color Mill GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Jund MidrangeJund Midrange StandardJund MidrangeThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Bant ToxicBant Toxic StandardBant PoisonReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 2:00 pm (Bronze)
Jeskai StonebladeJeskai Stoneblade LegacyJeskai Stoneblade2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipping Sword of Once and Future lavishes you with the ability to retrieve not just one, but two cards from your graveyard. This exceptional recursion offers a formidable boost in card advantage, as you can strategically select key spells or creatures to reutilize, ensuring that your hand never runs dry.

Resource Acceleration: Beyond reclaiming past glories, the sword also accelerates your resources. With each successful hit on an opponent, it plants a Treasure token into your mana pool. This extra resource can be the cornerstone for casting impactful spells sooner, opening doors to a swifter and potentially game-changing plays.

Instant Speed: The inherent flexibility of instant speed interaction with Sword of Once and Future means you can adapt to the evolving battlefield with finesse. Whether safeguarding mana for reactive measures or capitalizing on an unguarded opponent, the sheer immediacy of this card meshes seamlessly with your tactical arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating the full potential of the Sword of Once and Future involves discarding a card, which might not always be favorable, especially in game scenarios where hand size is critical to maintaining strategic advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Sword requires both green and white mana for its activation. This necessity might not suit decks that focus on a different color combination or mono-colored decks, potentially restricting its versatile utility in various MTG strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined casting and equip cost that is substantial, the Sword of Once and Future may come into play later than other alternatives. This higher mana cost requires careful planning and resource allocation, which could slow down a player’s tempo, particularly in formats where speed is key to success.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sword of Once and Future offers a flexible boost for various deck archetypes. Its ability to grant protection from two colors and provide card advantage makes it a solid addition to nearly any deck that values equipment synergy.

Combo Potential: This artifact can be crucial in combinations, particularly with creatures that have tap abilities or with cards that trigger upon drawing. The untap and draw mechanics can also integrate seamlessly with strategies looking to cycle through their deck quickly or manipulate their library.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the shifting landscape of competitive play, the Sword of Once and Future maintains relevance. Its adaptability and power level ensure that it can compete within various meta environments, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities that can be critical during gameplay.


How to beat

The Sword of Body and Mind is an intriguing artifact in the realm of Magic the Gathering, renowned for its capacity to grant its wielder a dual boon of protection and power. Wielding similar mechanics to other esteemed equipment cards, this sword provides both creature boosts and exclusive abilities that kick into action upon dealing combat damage to a player. It stands out with its specific combination of pumping a creature’s stats and churning out Wolf creature tokens, a feature not found in alternative equipment options.

Combatting the Sword of Body and Mind’s potency requires strategic play, akin to addressing threats like Batterskull – another equipment that excels in enhancing creatures and offers a formidable lifelink ability. Where `Sword of Once and Future` excels in creating creature tokens and milling cards from an opponent’s library, other weapons may offer direct life boosts or alternative token generation. The key lies in preemptive action, such as artifact removal or preempting its equipping with cards like Disenchant or utilizing creature removal to clear the path before the sword’s advantages can be wielded.

Successfully navigating such cards is about recognizing their unique strengths and planning countermeasures accordingly. Identifying the moments to disrupt your opponent’s setup or equipping process is vital, alongside integrating versatile removal tools to maintain control. This ensures the Sword of Body and Mind’s impressive capabilities are mitigated, securing your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Sword of Once and Future is more than a mere tool for engagement in MTG; it’s a crafty catalyst for victory. With actionable insights drawn from its pros and cons, it’s clear it can carve a path to success for those who wield it wisely. Whether you’re looking to expand your deck’s dynamism, ensure a resourceful play, or keep up with the evolving meta, adding this sword to your armory could be a savvy move. Keen to discover how it can sharpen your strategy on the battlefield? Delve deeper with us and wield the power of knowledge to refine your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sword of Once and Future MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine and March of the Machine, 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 Sword of Once and Future and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sword of Once and Future Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Joshua Cairos.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 3752015NormalBlackJoshua Cairos
22023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 2652015NormalBlackJoshua Cairos
32023-04-21March of the Machine PromosPMOM 265p2015NormalBlackJoshua Cairos
42023-04-21March of the Machine PromosPMOM 265s2015NormalBlackJoshua Cairos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sword of Once and Future has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-04-14 If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2023-04-14 If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the card.
2023-04-14 The card you cast may be one you just put into the graveyard with surveil or one already in the graveyard.
2023-04-14 You choose whether or not to cast the instant or sorcery card as the triggered ability resolves. If you do, you do so as part of the resolution of that ability. You can’t wait to cast it later in the turn. Timing restrictions based on the card’s type are ignored.