Unsummon MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 33 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return creature to owner's hand; enchantments on creature are CARD ed. Unsummon cannot be played during the damage-dealing phase of an attack.
Cards like Unsummon
Unsummon is a staple spell in Magic: The Gathering for players looking to control the pace of the game. This simple yet powerful card allows you to return target creature to its owner’s hand for one blue mana. In the realm of similar spells, we find Boomerang, which takes Unsummon’s concept a step forward by permitting any nonland permanent to be returned to its owner’s hand, not just creatures. However, Boomerang requires two mana, one of which must be blue.
Another comparison is with Vapor Snag, which also costs one blue mana to return a creature to its owner’s hand, but with the added effect of dealing 1 damage to that creature’s controller. This subtle addition can sometimes sway a match by chipping away at an opponent’s life total. On the other hand, Unsummon’s advantage lies in its lower cost without any additional effects, allowing for straightforward and efficient gameplay.
When looking at Echoing Truth, we note its unique ability to target not just a single creature but all permanents with the same name, which can be particularly devastating against token strategies or decks that rely on duplicate permanents. While it costs two mana, the potential impact on a game can be much larger.
Analyzing these cards side by side demonstrates that Unsummon holds a valued place in MTG due to its cost-effectiveness and utility, especially in decks that leverage tempo to gain the upper hand.
Cards similar to Unsummon by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Unsummon. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mono-Blue Prison | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 2 | ||
Izzet Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12 | ||
Decklist | Free form | 84#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Unsummon doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it disrupts your opponent’s board presence, effectively setting them back and indirectly contributing to your card advantage. By returning a critical creature to their hand, you can negate their previous turn’s play or remove a blocker or attacker, altering the course of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Unsummon isn’t a resource acceleration tool per se. Nonetheless, it provides tactical flexibility by freeing up your mana in subsequent turns. By bouncing a creature back to the opponent’s hand, you can save mana on not having to deal with an immediate threat. This allows you to optimize mana usage and develop your own board without interruption.
Instant Speed: Unsummon’s real strength lies in its instant speed, facilitating reactive play and unexpected combat tricks. You can cast Unsummon during your opponent’s turn or in response to an opponent activating an ability, catching them off-guard and potentially turning the tide of combat in your favor. This versatile timing makes Unsummon a staple in control strategies that thrive on keeping the opponent at bay while building towards a win condition.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some other bounce spells, Unsummon doesn’t require the player to discard a card, which makes it a straightforward and resource-efficient option. It simply returns the target creature to its owner’s hand without additional sacrifices.
Specific Mana Cost: Unsummon has a low and specific mana cost, requiring only one blue mana to cast. This can be both an advantage and a limitation. It’s easy to include in decks with a heavy blue mana base but might not fit as seamlessly into multicolored or color-specific decks that don’t allocate many resources for blue mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of a single blue mana, Unsummon is actually among the lower end of the mana spectrum for its effect. Many bounce spells or creature removal cards may require more mana or additional costs, making Unsummon a cost-effective choice especially in tempo-focused blue decks that aim to disrupt the opponent’s board presence quickly and efficiently.
Reasons to Include Unsummon in Your Collection
Versatility: Unsummon is incredibly flexible, allowing players to return creatures to their owner’s hand. This feature is useful across various deck types and scenarios, from saving your creatures from removal to disrupting your opponent’s board presence.
Combo Potential: For decks that thrive on casting spells or triggering enter-the-battlefield effects, Unsummon adds an extra layer of synergy. It can be a part of intricate combos that recycle beneficial creature effects or simply pave the way for a winning strike.
Meta-Relevance: In a fast-paced environment where tempo plays can swing games, the ability to remove a key creature from the field, even temporarily, can be pivotal. Unsummon keeps you one step ahead, dealing efficiently with threats or keeping opponents off-balance.
How to beat
Unsummon is a classic Magic: The Gathering card that allows players to return a creature to its owner’s hand. While this may at first glance seem disadvantageous to the caster, its true power is in its versatility. It can be used to disrupt opponent strategies, save your own creatures from destruction, or simply to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects. The key to outplaying Unsummon lies in timing and resource management.
To effectively counter this card, consider when your opponent might be holding up mana for it. Play creatures that offer value even if they are returned to your hand, or use cards that can’t be targeted by spells like Unsummon. Another strategy is to bait out the Unsummon early, or force your opponent to waste it on a less critical creature. Don’t overextend by committing too many creatures to the board if you suspect an Unsummon, that way you’re not set back significantly if they use it.
All in all, facing an Unsummon requires a mix of forecasting your opponent’s moves and adjusting your playstyle to either avoid its effectiveness or minimize its impact on your overall strategy. Understanding the versatility and weaknesses of Unsummon will guide you to maneuver against opponents who rely on this card.
BurnMana Recommendations
With insights into the strengths and versatility of Unsummon in your arsenal, harnessing the full potential of this card is just within your grip. Embrace the strategic advantages it brings—whether it’s resetting the board, enabling combo plays, or outmaneuvering your opponents through clever timing. As you build and refine your MTG deck, consider how Unsummon could shift the dynamics in your favor. Ready to delve deeper into the art of disruption and control? Continue your MTG journey with us and unlock advanced play techniques and comprehensive card analysis to elevate your game to the next level!
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unsummon MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Unsummon 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 Unsummon Magic the Gathering card was released in 29 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 86 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 87 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 87 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 87 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 111 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 111 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
11 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 13 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
12 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 14 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
13 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 132 | 1997 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
14 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 103 | 1997 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
15 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 108 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
16 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 108★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
17 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 112 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
18 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 112★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
19 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | dh112 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
20 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | dh112sb | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
21 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 122 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
22 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
23 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
24 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 17 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
25 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 78 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
26 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 79 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
27 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 75 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
28 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 54 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
29 | 2017-11-24 | Explorers of Ixalan | E02 | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
30 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
31 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
32 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 383 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
33 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 86 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unsummon has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |