Invulnerability MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Abilities	Buyback
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Number	25
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Brian Snõddy

Key Takeaways

Invulnerability offers board presence retention through tactical creature protection at instant speed.
While powerful, the card’s discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its flexibility.
Despite higher mana costs, its versatility and meta-relevance make it a valuable collection addition.

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.) Prevent all damage to you from one source. (Treat further damage from that source normally.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Invulnerability is a canny addition to your deck when you’re looking to safeguard your vital creatures from removal. Casting it at the right moment means you’re not just saving a creature, but effectively negating an opponent’s card, thereby maintaining your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct tool for accelerating resources, this card indirectly contributes to your mana stability by ensuring your key creatures, which might provide mana or other advantages, remain on the battlefield and operational.

Instant Speed: The power of Invulnerability lies in its instant speed, allowing you to respond to threats immediately. Cast it when an opponent least expects it, during their turn, right before the damage is dealt, or in response to a spell that would otherwise lead to your creature’s demise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Invulnerability cards often come with the caveat of discarding another card, which could pose a dilemma when your hand is running low on options and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Some invulnerability granting cards are tied to particular mana colors, typically white, making them potentially unusable in decks that do not have the appropriate mana base or color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Garnering invulnerability for your creatures or planeswalkers can come at a steep price, with mana costs that could otherwise be spent on developing the board or advancing your strategic position in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Invulnerability is an exceptional addition to any deck that aims to shield key creatures from harm. Its ability to grant temporary protection from all damage makes it adaptable to a variety of game situations.

Combo Potential: In decks that focus on maintaining a strong board presence, Invulnerability can be the linchpin in combos that keep pivotal creatures in play, even through board wipes or targeted removals.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where removal spells are prevalent, having Invulnerability in your deck ensures that your crucial creatures can survive and maintain your strategy unaffected.

How to beat

Invulnerability in MTG presents a unique challenge as it offers temporary protection, making a creature indestructible for a turn. To tackle this obstacle, understanding the timing and card interactions is key. First and foremost, countering the spell is the most straightforward method—using cards like Counterspell to prevent its resolution. But if it does resolve, there are still strategies to employ.

Apart from counterspells, players can also resort to forcing card sacrifices. Since Invulnerability doesn’t guard against sacrifice effects, cards like Diabolic Edict can bypass the protection and remove the creature from the battlefield. Another tactic is to wait it out; since the card only grants indestructibility until the end of the turn, you can plan your removal or damage spells for your next turn. Finally, using cards that change a creature’s base characteristics, like Turn to Frog, can diminish the value of Invulnerability by stripping away important abilities before the card resolves.

Having a solid game plan and the right cards in your deck increases your chance of success against the temporary shield that Invulnerability provides. Knowledge of your opponent’s strategies and maintaining a versatile deck are your best defenses.

Cards like Invulnerability

Invulnerability is an intriguing card within the suite of protective spells in MTG. It bears some resemblance to other cards like Shielded by Faith, which also grants an indestructible status to a creature. However, Invulnerability is unique in that it is an instant and provides temporary immunity from all damage for just a single turn. Contrastingly, Shielded by Faith offers continuous protection, but at a higher mana cost and as an aura that remains on the battlefield.

Taking a look at another parallel, we encounter the card Indestructibility. This enchantment gives a creature indestructible but, similar to Shielded by Faith, it does so permanently and at a heftier mana cost. What sets Invulnerability apart is its timing flexibility, allowing for strategic plays to thwart immediate threats or to surprise an opponent during combat.

Comparatively, when evaluating the benefits and strategic uses of these protective spells, Invulnerability shines for its cost-efficiency and the tactical advantage it delivers in crucial moments of the game where timing is everything.

Shielded by Faith - Commander 2015 (C15)

Cards similar to Invulnerability by color, type and mana cost

Divine Offering - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Test of Faith - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Puncturing Light - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Invulnerability MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Invulnerability and other MTG cards: