Symbol of Unsummoning MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 70
2011-01-10 - Number 65
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Return any one creature to its owner's hand. You draw a card.
". . . inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude . . . ." —Kate Chopin, *The Awakening*
Cards like Symbol of Unsummoning
Symbol of Unsummoning has its niche within the realm of bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering. A comparable card is Unsummon, a classic that also whisks creatures back to their owner’s hand. However, Symbol of Unsummoning offers an upgrade—it provides the added advantage of drawing a card for just one more mana. This subtle difference elevates its utility above the basic unsummoning effect.
Looking to Peel from Reality, we see another twist on the same theme. This spell bounces a creature you control alongside an opponent’s creature. The trade-off here is in card advantage, as this effect doesn’t directly net you a new card, but it can lead to favorable board interactions. Then there’s Blink of an Eye, a versatile spell that not only bounces nonland permanents but also has a kicker cost that, if paid, draws you a card, much like Symbol of Unsummoning.
When comparing these magic effects, Symbol of Unsummoning stands out for its straightforward additional card draw. It balances cost efficiency and the strategic benefit of disrupting opponents while refueling your hand, a valuable asset for players looking to maintain momentum in MTG.
Cards similar to Symbol of Unsummoning by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Not only does Symbol of Unsummoning pave the way for your creatures to attack by temporarily removing an opponent’s blocker, it also lets you draw a card, keeping your hand replenished and your options open.
Resource Acceleration: By bouncing an opponent’s creature back to their hand, Symbol of Unsummoning effectively sets them back on their resource curve. This can slow their tempo and give you a critical edge in resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Symbol of Unsummoning at instant speed is crucial for strategic plays. It allows you to disrupt your opponent’s plans during their turn, protect your own creatures from removal, or even surprise an opponent during combat, potentially swinging the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Symbol of Unsummoning often means you’ll need to part with another card in your hand. This can be particularly taxing when your hand size is dwindling, and every card is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana requirements are not as flexible as some players would prefer. With a need for one blue mana, decks that don’t have a consistent source of blue may find this card difficult to cast at critical moments, thus reducing its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When weighing the costs against the benefits, Symbol of Unsummoning may come up short. Its mana cost is steep when compared to other bounce spells in the game, which can often unsummon creatures for less and might even provide additional benefits or lower casting restrictions.
Reasons to Include Symbol of Unsummoning in Your Collection
Versatility: Symbol of Unsummoning offers flexibility to blue decks, able to bounce creatures back to their owner’s hands. This can be used strategically during combat or to reset the board, making it a fit for a wide range of blue strategies.
Combo Potential: As a piece in a larger puzzle, this card can work wonders in combination with cards that capitalize on casting spells, like those with prowess, or in decks that benefit from opponents having to recast their creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state full of creature-heavy decks, Symbol of Unsummoning can disrupt your opponent’s tempo, giving you an edge. It’s particularly useful in formats where creatures and enter-the-battlefield effects dominate the scene.
How to beat
Symbol of Unsummoning is one of the handy bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to return target creatures to their owner’s hands. This is efficient against tokens, as they’re permanently removed from the game once bounced. However, efficiently countering this card requires strategic play. To do so, players should prioritize having low-cost creatures or creatures with beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects to mitigate the tempo lost when their creature is returned to the hand.
It’s also wise to bait out the Symbol of Unsummoning with less critical creatures before deploying your major threats. This way, you maintain pressure without putting your key pieces at risk. Additionally, instant-speed spells that grant hexproof or indestructible can render Symbol of Unsummoning useless by making targeted creatures invalid targets when the spell is on the stack. By anticipating this move and crafting a gameplay that undercuts its advantages, you can easily handle this bounce spell.
Timely counter-magic can also be indispensable. Hold up enough mana for a counter spell when you suspect an opponent might have Symbol of Unsummoning ready to thwart your tactics. Flexibility in approach and careful resource management can turn the tide against this tricky card and allow you to maintain dominance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Symbol of Unsummoning MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Masters Edition IV, 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 Symbol of Unsummoning 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Symbol of Unsummoning Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Adam Rex.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 70 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 65 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Symbol of Unsummoning has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |