Magnify MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	1999-06-07
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Destiny
Set code	UDS
Number	111
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Michael Sutfin

Key Takeaways

Boosting creatures’ power, Magnify can sway the game by improving card economy and trading efficiency.
Instant speed casting of Magnify adds surprise factor, turning regular combat into unexpected victories.
Requires careful mana management and hand resources, balancing its power with strategic deckbuilding.

Text of card

All creatures get +1/+1 until end of turn.

The seed torches' pollen gives off light, but the elves find it heightens their senses as well.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Magnify not only boosts your creature’s power but also often results in advantageous trades or direct player damage, effectively tipping the balance in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: By augmenting a card’s power, Magnify can accelerate your game plan, leading to quicker victories and more efficient use of your deck’s resources.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Magnify at instant speed provides flexibility, allowing players to surprise opponents during combat or at the end of their turn for a strategic edge.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Magnify demands a card to be discarded from your hand to unleash its effect. This can be particularly hindering when your hand size is already compromised, forcing tough decisions which may not always be conducive to maintaining a strategic advantage in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Magnify’s effectiveness is contingent on a particular combination of mana colors, necessitating a precise mana base within your deck. This specificity can severely restrict its versatility, making it a challenging fit outside of decks specifically designed to accommodate its cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its mana requirements, Magnify’s cost is on the higher side when contrasted with other options available in the game. This elevated cost can slow down your gameplay, as allocating resources to cast Magnify could potentially hinder you from playing other impactful cards during critical turns.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magnify is a unique card that can seamlessly adapt to various deck archetypes. Decks focusing on creature buffs or those employing +1/+1 counter strategies can fully utilize Magnify’s capacity to enhance board presence.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic combos, particularly in conjunction with cards that proliferate or manipulate counters. The instant amplification of creature stats can turn the tide of battle or enable surprise victories.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that emphasizes creature-based tactics, Magnify can be a game-changer. It can bolster your creatures to match or surpass the power levels of top-tier threats, ensuring your collection remains competitive.

How to beat

Magnify is a card that can twist the momentum of a Magic: The Gathering game by enhancing a creature’s power for a game-winning swing. To counteract this, consider using instant speed removal spells that can target the creature before the pump effect takes place. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile provide efficient ways to eliminate a threat before it becomes amplified. Bounce spells like Unsummon also serve as a temporary yet effective solution to remove the creature from the field, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and buying you time.

Another tactic is to use damage prevention or damage reduction spells when Magnify is cast. Cards like Healing Salve or Ethereal Haze can prevent the damage entirely or significantly reduce it. Be vigilant rather than reactive; keeping mana open for these spells or having them at hand when your opponent has enough mana to cast Magnify is crucial.

Ultimately, playing around Magnify involves understanding the rhythm of your opponent and being prepared to disrupt their plays. Keep an eye on their mana and creatures, maintain board control, and hold onto your removal or prevention spells until they are most impactful.

Cards like Magnify

Magnify is a versatile tool in decks aiming to capitalize on creature size within Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the abilities of other spells such as Giant Growth, which also offers a temporary boost in power and toughness. However, Magnify shines with its consistency in magnifying an entire army of creatures rather than a single target, potentially turning the tide in your favor during a crowded battlefield scenario.

Another noteworthy comparison can be drawn with Overrun, which also buffs multiple creatures and lends them trample to overcome blockers. While Overrun provides a larger boost to power and toughness, its higher mana cost and one-time effect contrast with Magnify’s lower cost and persistent threat when combined with creatures that have abilities triggered by power increments. Similarly, Echoing Courage stands as a less expensive alternative, though it is limited to duplicating creatures only, which makes Magnify a preferable choice when there’s a diversity of creature types in play.

Considering the strategic versatility, Magnify integrates well with swarm strategies that put forth a multitude of creatures on the board. In evaluating relative advantages, Magnify may not have the strongest instant impact but provides a significant edge when played among a varied and populous creature assembly.

Cards similar to Magnify by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magnify MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Magnify and other MTG cards: