Unsubstantiate MTG Card


Unsubstantiate provides tempo control by bouncing spells or creatures, disrupting opponents effectively. Its instant speed and versatility in play make it a valuable card in various MTG strategies. Despite drawbacks like specific mana cost, its adaptability can outweigh its limitations.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Return target spell or creature to its owner's hand.

"Nicely done, Jace. You always were good at disappearing acts." —Liliana Vess


Cards like Unsubstantiate

Unsubstantiate stands out in the realm of temporary disruption within Magic: The Gathering. While it draws a close parallel to the classic spell Remand, which lets players return target spell to its owner’s hand and draw a card, Unsubstantiate foregoes the card draw for versatility. Players can bounce not just spells but also creatures, offering a broader range of defensive strategies.

Another card with a resemblance is Venser, Shaper Savant. Venser offers similar bounce utility but comes with a body, potentially providing additional board presence. Despite costing more mana, its repeatable use can often outweigh the cost difference. Then there’s Into the Roil, which allows bouncing of nonland permanents with the kicker ability to draw a card, providing both flexibility and card advantage unlike Unsubstantiate that focuses on a straightforward delaying tactic.

Through examining these comparisons, it’s evident that Unsubstantiate provides a unique blend of tempo and tactical restraint, positioning it as a powerful tool for players who value immediate control over the flow of the game.

Remand - MTG Card versions
Venser, Shaper Savant - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Venser, Shaper Savant - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unsubstantiate by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Unsubstantiate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis ComboGrixis Combo ModernIndomitable CreativityLegacy European Championship Ghent
Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity ModernIndomitable CreativityModern Challenge 96 2023-12-17
Dimir ControlDimir Control Dimir ControlThe Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #001
Mono-Blue DevotionMono-Blue Devotion PioneerMono-Blue DevotionF2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unsubstantiate doesn’t simply return a target spell or creature to its owner’s hand; it effectively counters a spell that’s on the stack, removing a threat for the moment and potentially stalling your opponent’s plans. This versatility ensures that you don’t lose momentum and can often lead to advantageous exchanges that tilt the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana resources, Unsubstantiate can be seen as a form of tempo acceleration. By bouncing key spells or creatures, you effectively set your opponent back a turn. This extra time can allow you to develop your board, find answers, or maneuver into a more advantageous position without expending additional resources.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Unsubstantiate lies in its flexibility as an instant. Having the ability to react to your opponent’s moves during their turn provides a significant strategic advantage. Whether it’s disrupting a combo, saving your permanent from removal, or simply buying time, the instant speed of this spell ensures that you are always at the ready and keeps your opponents guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unsubstantiate does not provide card advantage, and its effect might feel like a setback when you could be developing your board or hand instead. It merely returns a spell or creature to its owner’s hand rather than providing a definitive answer to the threat.

Specific Mana Cost: Unsubstantiate requires a blue mana, which singles it out for decks that run that color. If your deck does not support blue mana efficiently, including this card might strain the mana base or reduce consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Unsubstantiate costs only two mana, when considering tempo plays, there are instances where cheaper alternatives for bounce or counter effects are more desirable. This is particularly relevant when comparing its cost to that of many one-mana spells that might not be as versatile but are more mana-efficient.


Reasons to Include Unsubstantiate in Your Collection

Versatility: Unsubstantiate offers flexibility by allowing players to either return a spell to its owner’s hand or bounce a creature off the battlefield. This makes it highly adaptable to a range of situations, fitting well in decks that need to manage opponents’ threats temporarily.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in combo decks, interrupting opponents’ plays or protecting your own combo pieces by giving you an extra turn to set up. Its ability to reset counters and recurring abilities can be a combo enabler in itself.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by high-impact spells and creatures, Unsubstantiate can shift the tide of battle by providing a timely answer without expending a card permanently, keeping up with the pace of the current metagame.


How to Beat Unsubstantiate

Unsubstantiate stands out in the realm of versatile control cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card functions not only as a countermeasure by returning spells to their owner’s hand but also serves as a means to disrupt creature strategies by bouncing creatures in the midst of combat or in response to an activated ability. In essence, it’s a temporary setback for your opponent, buying you critical time or nullifying a crucial play.

To effectively navigate against Unsubstantiate, timing is paramount. Holding back key spells until your opponent is tapped out can mitigate the risk of having them bounced. Additionally, playing spells with strong enter-the-battlefield effects can lessen the setback if they are returned to your hand. You might also bait out the Unsubstantiate with a less crucial spell before playing a game-changing one.

Furthermore, decks that can capitalize on casting multiple spells in a single turn can overload Unsubstantiate’s single-use restriction, forcing your opponent to make tough decisions about what to return. By strategically curating your plays and applying constant pressure, the disruption that Unsubstantiate can cause becomes more manageable and less impactful on your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you’ve delved into the pros and cons of Unsubstantiate and its place in the MTG realm, it’s clear that this little spell packs a significant punch. Its ability to disrupt and provide tempo advantages can’t be overlooked. In the current metagame, having control over the board and stopping opponents in their tracks can be crucial. If you’re inspired to harness the strategic power of Unsubstantiate or want to explore similar spells to fine-tune your deck, we’re here to guide you. Discover deeper tactics, expand your collection strategically, and stay ahead of the curve. Dive into more insights and enhance your gameplay with BurnMana.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unsubstantiate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Eldritch Moon, 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 Unsubstantiate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unsubstantiate Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 615572015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 792015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
32016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 792015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 822015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unsubstantiate has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unsubstantiate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 If a spell is returned to its owner's hand, it's removed from the stack and thus will not resolve. The spell isn't countered; it just no longer exists. This works against a spell that can't be countered.