Temporal Distortion MTG Card

Shuffling your graveyard into your library with Temporal Distortion bolsters card advantage and extends game presence. Playing an extra land each turn speeds up resource acquisition, allowing swifter threat deployment and mana flexibility. The ability to cast Temporal Distortion at instant speed enhances tactical reactions and uninterrupted strategic implementation.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Number	79
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Stephanie Law

Text of card

Whenever a creature or land becomes tapped, put an hourglass counter on it. Permanents with an hourglass counter on them don't untap during their controllers' untap steps. At the beginning of each player's upkeep, remove all hourglass counters from permanents that player controls.

Cards like Temporal Distortion

Temporal Distortion is a unique force in the arena of control cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of effects seen on other powerful cards. Its closest counterpart may well be Teferi’s Puzzle Box, which also disrupts an opponent’s game by controlling the number and order of cards in their hand each turn. Where Temporal Distortion stands out is its ability to slow down opponents by turning their lands into snow-covered lands and affecting their untap step.

Looking at other related cards, Frozen Aether shares a similar approach by slowing opponents, affecting not just lands but all their permanents’ untap phases. Yet Temporal Distortion allows for more targeted control. Another comparable card could be Stasis, which fully halts untap steps at the cost of constant upkeep. Temporal Distortion offers a less extreme but more sustainable control option, without the demand for continued payment to maintain the effect.

Overall, Temporal Distortion provides a strategic edge for players looking for comprehensive control mechanisms. Its ability to dictate the pace of the game via land manipulation and untap restrictions places it in a league of its own within MTG’s broad spectrum of control cards.

Cards similar to Temporal Distortion by color, type and mana cost

Heightened Awareness - MTG Card versions

Reflections of Littjara - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Temporal Distortion offers the powerful ability to shuffle your graveyard into your library, possibly refueling your deck with valuable spells and resources previously spent, thereby maintaining or extending your card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to play an additional land each turn, this card can significantly accelerate your resource development, helping you to outpace opponents in deploying threats or available mana options.

Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Temporal Distortion at instant speed gives you the tactical edge to react swiftly to your opponent’s actions, ensuring that your strategic plays remain uninterrupted and efficient.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Temporal Distortion necessitates a card to be discarded as an additional cost to play. This can be particularly taxing if your hand is already depleted or if the discarded card is crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands an exacting blend of mana to cast, including at least one blue mana source. This can make it less accessible to multicolored decks or those that don’t consistently generate blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher end, Temporal Distortion can contend with other late-game spells that may provide more immediate impact or value to the game state.

Reasons to Include Temporal Distortion in Your Collection

Versatility: Temporal Distortion offers flexibility by altering the pace of the game, making it a match for various deck archetypes that seek to control the tempo and flow of play.

Combo Potential: This card can be a cornerstone in combos that take advantage of time manipulation, potentially pairing with cards that benefit from longer or additional turns, giving players an edge in strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where controlling the board and timing of key plays is crucial, Temporal Distortion’s ability to disrupt opponents and provide strategic advantages can make it a game-changer against a wide array of decks.

How to beat

Temporal Distortion is a unique and sometimes perplexing card in the landscape of Magic the Gathering. It’s a blue enchantment that has the power to alter the flow of the game by changing the untap phase for the affected player. This effect can be incredibly disruptive, but understanding the functionality of Temporal Distortion is key to overcoming its trickery.

To successfully navigate against this card, it’s advisable to invest in versatile removal spells capable of handling enchantments, such as Disenchant or Naturalize. These provide a straightforward solution to the predicament posed by Temporal Distortion. In addition, cards that grant you hexproof, like Leyline of Sanctity, can prevent you from becoming the target of such disruptive enchantments in the first place. Moreover, being able to play at instant speed gives you an edge, allowing you to interact during your opponent’s turn and sidestep the temporal shift caused by this card. Also, having creatures with vigilance or those that don’t require tapping keeps your board presence consistent, uninhibited by the warp in phases.

In essence, countering Temporal Distortion comes down to preparation and adaptability. Including enchantment removal in your deck and using strategic plays can ensure that your game plan proceeds unaffected by your opponent’s time-bending tactics.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Temporal Distortion MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Temporal Distortion and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Temporal Distortion has restrictions

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