Timebender MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 50
2021-03-19 - Number 93
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Timebender is turned face up, choose one Remove two time counters from target permanent or suspended card; or put two time counters on target permanent with a time counter on it or suspended card.
Cards like Timebender
Timebender introduces a unique twist to the suite of blue spells in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with cards such as Time Warp, which is famous for granting players extra turns. Yet Timebender offers a glimpse into its own charm by directly manipulating time counters. This is a contrast to Time Warp’s straightforward extra turn, which lacks the nuanced control over turns that Timebender possesses.
Temporal Manipulation is another classic that emerges in this comparison. It mirrors Timebender’s extra turn effect, but does so in a simple and unmodifiable fashion. Timebender, with its focus on versatility through time counters, allows players more strategic leeway. Meanwhile, Nexus of Fate presents itself as a recyclable option for taking an extra turn, shuffling back into the library upon resolution. However, unlike Timebender, it does not permit the fine-tuning of time-based mechanics.
When surveying the landscape of time manipulation spells in Magic: The Gathering, Timebender certainly secures a spot for innovation and strategic depth. Its ability to bend the rules of the game through counter manipulation rather than just repeating turns creates opportunities for savvy players to maximize their advantage.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Timebender provides the strategic upper hand by allowing additional draw phases or by replaying potent draw spells from the graveyard, ensuring that you consistently find the answers or threats you need.
Resource Acceleration: Timebender shines in ramping up your mana resources. By untapping lands or artifacts during your turn, it significantly propels your resource generation, allowing for more impactful plays earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Timebender is amplified by its ability to act at instant speed. This flexibility means you can adapt to the flow of the game, making pivotal moves during your opponent’s turn or in response to their actions, effectively keeping your strategy one step ahead.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of the Timebender card is the necessity to discard another card in order to utilize its full potential. This trade-off can be particularly challenging when your hand is already limited, and you must sacrifice valuable resources to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Timebender comes with a specific mana arrangement that must be met for it to be played. This makes it less flexible compared to colorless or more generic mana cost cards, thereby restricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the required colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side for its effects, Timebender might not be the most efficient choice in terms of mana economy. Players might find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating whether the card’s impact is worth the significant investment, especially when other cards could provide similar benefits with a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Timebender in Your Collection
Versatility: Timebender is a versatile card that can be slotted into various decks, offering a unique twist to gameplay. It allows players to manipulate turns, giving an edge in both aggressive and control strategies.
Combo Potential: This card opens up the gates for a plethora of combos, especially in decks that focus on taking extra turns or those that can benefit from its unique turn-based mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: Within the current meta that values strategic depth and flexibility, Timebender’s ability to disrupt opponent’s plans and provide unexpected comebacks makes it a compelling inclusion in any competitive collection.
How to Beat Timebender
Confronting a Timebender on the battlefield can be a real challenge for seasoned MTG strategists. As a versatile card, it offers the ability to manipulate turns and gain extra actions, often shifting the tide of the game. When it comes to outplaying an opponent’s Timebender, the objective is to minimize its impact or neutralize it before it can fully unleash its potential.
One effective approach is to prioritize cards that impose restrictions on spell casting or ones that limit the number of spells an opponent can play each turn. This hamstringing strategy effectively curtails the Timebender’s ability to create an overwhelming advantage. Additionally, removal spells that can target and destroy Timebender are key. It’s essential to keep such spells at the ready, to answer it promptly the moment it hits the field.
Lastly, hand disruption tactics can act pre-emptively, clearing the threat before it ever has the chance to impact the board state. By keeping your strategy flexible and maintaining pressure on your opponent, you can ensure that any Timebender played is less a game-changer and more a minor hiccup in your march to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Timebender MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Timebender 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 Timebender Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 50 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 93 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Timebender has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Timebender card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-02-01 | The mode and target of the triggered ability are chosen when it’s put on the stack. |