Time Out MTG Card
Text of card
Roll a six-sided die. Put target nonland permanent into its owner's library just beneath the top X cards of that library, where X is the result.
Anyone other than a goblin would've gotten only a hand caught in the cookie jar.
Cards like Time Out
Time Out is a unique card from Magic: The Gathering that opens up diverse strategic plays for players who want to disrupt their opponent’s tactics. Its closest counterpart is perhaps Unsummon, a classic that also returns a creature to its owner’s hand. What makes Time Out stand out is its additional knack for decking your opponent by having them mill two cards. Unsummon doesn’t impact the library, focusing solely on returning the creature.
Into the Roil is another card worthy of comparison. While serving the same basic function of bouncing creatures back to hand, Into the Roil provides an optional kicker cost, which if paid, draws a card. Although Time Out does not grant card draw, its milling effect can be a significant tactical advantage in the right deck. Then there’s Blink of an Eye, which also kicks to draw a card, albeit at a higher mana cost overall compared to Into the Roil but offering flexibility of being played at instant speed like Time Out.
Evaluating these cards, Time Out manages to carve a niche for itself in player decks, particularly for those looking to integrate mill strategies with creature control, showcasing its potential in MTG’s vast landscape of interactive spells.
Cards similar to Time Out by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Time Out lets you essentially skip one of your opponent’s turns, which can disrupt their strategy and give you the upper hand. It’s a rare sort of card advantage that doesn’t just draw more cards, but puts you a whole turn ahead of your competition.
Resource Acceleration: While Time Out itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it allows for a temporal “leap” over your opponent. This can be critical in situations where you are racing against an opponent’s threatening board state, buying you an extra turn to draw into or play the resources you need to win the game.
Instant Speed: Time Out’s strength is significantly bolstered by its ability to be played at instant speed. This grants you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s actions during their most critical phases, such as when they’re about to execute a game-winning combo or declare a lethal attack. Applying pressure at the right moment with Time Out can lead to significant shifts in the tide of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When you cast Time Out, you must also discard a card. This requirement can be especially taxing if your hand is already depleted or if you’re having to let go of a valuable asset that could be crucial later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Time Out comes with a blue mana cost, demanding a dedicated slot in blue or blue-inclusive decks. This specificity reduces the card’s flexibility, making it less appealing for decks that run on a varied mana base or those that cannot afford to include many blue cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, Time Out might be seen as costly when considering the temporary nature of its effect. Other cards at similar or lower costs could provide a lasting solution or more powerful impact on the board, potentially making Time Out a less efficient choice when optimizing your deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Time Out shines in decks that aim to disrupt the opponent’s strategies. Its ability to temporarily remove a threat can be pivotal in games, making it a flexible tool for various playstyles.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that manipulate time counters or bounce effects, Time Out’s power increases as it becomes a recurring component of a control-heavy deck or one that focuses on denial.
Meta-Relevance: Given that fast-paced aggressive decks often populate the competitive scene, the inclusion of Time Out could thwart an opponent’s advance, giving control players the much-needed respite to stabilize and turn the tide of play.
How to Beat Time Out
Time Out is an intriguing card that can disrupt the flow of a game in MTG, temporarily removing an opponent’s creature from combat. When pitted against this card, one effective strategy is to run redundant creatures, ensuring that even if one is sidelined by Time Out, you have other threats on the board. Another approach is to utilize instant-speed removal or bounce spells, which can counteract the effect of Time Out by dealing with the targeted creature before the Time Out resolves.
Including hexproof or shroud in your deck can also stymie Time Out’s impact, as these abilities prevent your creatures from being targeted. Additionally, countering spells that protect your own board from this type of interference, like Negate or Dispel, can serve as a safeguard against Time Out. Keep in mind that cards like Time Out are best dealt with by a proactive game plan and keeping pressure on your opponent, limiting the usefulness and timing of such disruption in the match.
Ultimately, while Time Out can pose a tactical hurdle, its effect is temporary, and a well-prepared deck with a solid counter strategy can easily overcome this challenge, maintaining control over the game’s tempo.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Time Out MTG card by a specific set like Unstable and Unsanctioned, 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 Time Out and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Time Out Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-12-08 and 2020-02-29. Illustrated by Dave Allsop.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-12-08 | Unstable | UST | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Dave Allsop | |
| 2 | 2020-02-29 | Unsanctioned | UND | 28 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Dave Allsop |