Upheaval MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 113
2002-08-14 - Number cr113
2014-06-16 - Number 100
2021-06-18 - Number 270
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Return all permanents to their owners' hands.
The calm comes after the storm.
Cards like Upheaval
Upheaval stands out in the realm of blue spells for its powerful board resetting ability. Like Cyclonic Rift, Upheaval returns all permanents to their owners’ hands, but it operates on a much larger scale affecting each and every player. While Cyclonic Rift offers the flexibility of being cast for its overload cost to similarly clear the board, it’s limited to only opponents’ permanents, giving Upheaval a unique edge in resetting the playing field entirely.
In the quest for similar mechanics, we find Devastation Tide, which mirrors this reset concept with the miracle cost allowing a potentially cheaper casting option. However, Upheaval claims the advantage of leaving players with a hand full of cards to rebuild, possibly overwhelming opponents who can’t recover as quickly. On the other hand, Evacuation provides a creature-specific reset at instant speed, favoring those who wish to selectively clear the battlefield while leaving other permanent types untouched. This can be strategic in maintaining the pace of your gameplay as opposed to the complete reset triggered by Upheaval.
Altogether, when evaluating the sweeping impact of Upheaval against its counterparts, its strength is unmistakable. It’s a formidable card capable of turning the tide of the game, placing it as a prominent choice for players seeking comprehensive board control in MTG.
Cards similar to Upheaval by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Upheaval. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Midrange | Modern | Dimir Midrange | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-27 |
 | Mono-Blue Upheaval | Modern | Mono-Blue Upheaval | Modern League 2023-11-28 |
| Izzet Upheaval | Modern | Izzet Upheaval | Modern Challenge 64 2024-03-24 |
 | Madness | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am | |
| Mono-Blue Combo | Modern | Affinity | Grand Open Qualifier Prague 2024 |
| U | Modern | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-18 (1) | |
| Affinity | Modern | Affinity | Modern League 2024-01-16 |
 | Decklist | Free form | 80#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Upheaval provides an overwhelming card advantage by resetting all permanents to their owners’ hands. This allows players to redeploy their resources more effectively than their opponents, securing a significant edge in the game.
Resource Acceleration: In combination with floating mana before casting Upheaval, players can create a situation where they can replay their lands and other mana sources instantly. This leads to a rapid acceleration of available resources while opponents are still rebuilding their board.
Instant Speed: While Upheaval is a sorcery, the ability to perform such a sweeping effect on the game state makes it as impactful as a powerful instant. Players can meticulously plan the turn they cast Upheaval to ensure they gain the maximum benefit while their opponents are left scrambling.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Upheaval obliges you to return all permanents to their owners’ hands, which can be a significant drawback when you’ve built a strong board presence. The reset also impacts your own progress, potentially discarding valuable cards for hand size limits in the next cleanup step.
Specific Mana Cost: Upheaval’s specific blue mana requirement may not always align with multi-colored deck strategies. It requires double blue mana, which can sometimes be a challenge to produce consistently, especially in a multi-colored deck that doesn’t prioritize blue mana generation. This can lead to situations where Upheaval is stuck in hand, uncastable due to mana restrictions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a six mana total cost, Upheaval comes at a premium. In many game scenarios, especially competitive play, there are other cards and strategies that may overturn the board at a lower cost. Because of its comparatively high mana cost, it requires significant ramping or a game state that allows for accumulation of resources, which may not always be viable.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Upheaval is a powerful card that can reset the state of the game, allowing players to redeploy their resources while setting opponents back. This trait makes it a valuable tool in decks that can quickly reestablish board presence.
Combo Potential: With its ability to return all permanents to their owners’ hands, Upheaval can be instrumental in creating devastating combos with cards designed to capitalize on empty boards or to benefit from replaying certain permanents for additional value.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go long or the battlefield becomes cluttered with numerous threats, Upheaval can function as an effective reset button, giving you the edge in late-game scenarios where board state can determine the match’s outcome.
How to beat
Upheaval has been a powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering due to its game-resetting ability. Facing this card, it’s vital to have a strategy that diminishes its devastating impact. The key lies in maintaining board presence even after a massive board wipe. One effective tactic is to develop a board state that can quickly rebuild. Creatures with Flash, for instance, allow you to redeploy threats at the end of your opponent’s turn, mitigating the tempo loss.
Another approach is to keep a low curve, enabling you to play multiple spells per turn once you’ve regained some lands. This contrasts with heavy reliance on late-game bombs, which Upheaval severely punishes. Prioritize permanents with persistent effects or abilities that don’t rely on the battlefield. Cards like planeswalkers or enchantments with static abilities can provide ongoing advantages without needing a large board presence. Keep counterspells in hand to protect your key spells from being nullified by Upheaval.
Playing against Upheaval requires foresight and resource management. By adjusting your strategy to be less dependent on the board and more resilient to resets, you can effectively navigate through the turbulence and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Upheaval MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and World Championship Decks 2002, 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 Upheaval 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
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Printings
The Upheaval Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 113 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2002-08-14 | World Championship Decks 2002 | WC02 | cr113 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 270 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Upheaval has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Banned |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Banned |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Banned |
| Penny | Legal |