Waylay MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 1998-10-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Saga |
| Set code | USG |
| Number | 56 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Staples |
Text of card
Put three Knight tokens into play. Treat these tokens as 2/2 white creatures. Remove them from the game at end of turn.
"You reek of corruption," spat the knight. "Why are you even here?"
Cards like Waylay
Waylay is a unique spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering, capturing players’ attention with its ability to create three 2/2 Knight creature tokens at a moment’s notice. While this may remind MTG enthusiasts of the card Midnight Haunting, which also generates two 1/1 spirit tokens with flying, Waylay shines in its potential to block an unexpected assault or swiftly bolster your battlefield presence during your opponent’s turn. Unlike Midnight Haunting, the knights from Waylay vanish at the end of turn, prompting a tactical, one-time defensive maneuver.
Comparatively, White Sun’s Zenith emerges as another token-generating spell, offering a scalable effect where the number of Cat creature tokens correlates with the mana invested. However, Waylay distinguishes itself yet again with its fixed cost, streamlined effect, and instant speed, making it a versatile choice for surprise defense. Gather the Townsfolk also falls within this category, allowing for the creation of two 1/1 Human creature tokens, or even more if you meet the Fateful Hour condition. Yet it’s the surprise factor and the temporary yet powerful impact of Waylay that continues to make it a compelling option for players looking for tactical flexibility in their decks.
Assessing Waylay in the context of other token-generating spells, it’s clear that its stealthy playstyle and the ability to create a swift defensive line grants it a noteworthy position in Magic: The Gathering’s array of instant-speed tricks.
Cards similar to Waylay by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Waylay presents a unique edge when it comes to card advantage. It lets you summon three 2/2 Knight creature tokens until end of turn, providing a temporary burst in board presence that can overwhelm an opponent or be used defensively in a pinch.
Resource Acceleration: Although Waylay doesn’t directly produce mana or treasure, the three Knight tokens can be a boon for decks with strategies focused on sacrificing creatures for other resources or benefits, potentially accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be played at instant speed gives you the flexibility to surprise your opponent during their turn. This can disrupt their attacks, enable surprise blocks, or simply serve as a tool for tactical advantage. Waylay at instant speed lets you maintain mana for other potential plays, keeping your opponent guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Waylay necessitates the discarding of two cards when you play it, potentially depleting your hand when you might need options to respond to an opponent’s threats or strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Waylay’s casting cost requires three white mana, which can be restrictive, tying the card’s playability exclusively to mono-white or two-color decks where white is heavily featured, limiting its deck-building versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a substantial investment of three mana, Waylay may compete with other creature spells or impactful removals you could play at this stage of the game. In many situations, there are more versatile or lower-cost cards that could provide a greater advantage or faster tempo.
Reasons to Include Waylay in Your Collection
Versatility: Waylay can be a game-changer in decks that function around surprise blockers or require creatures at a moment’s notice. Its ability to generate three tokens can be a formidable defense during your opponent’s turn.
Combo Potential: These Knight creature tokens created by Waylay are perfect for synergistic interactions with cards that capitalize on creature counts, such as “Coat of Arms” or “Crusade”.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that leans towards aggressive strategies, Waylay offers an immediate tactical response. It’s not just the three creatures that matter, but the timing of their arrival that can turn the tides of a match.
How to beat
Waylay, a card from Magic: The Gathering’s historical sets, presents a unique temporary boost in creature defense during an opponent’s turn. The advantage of summoning three white Knight creature tokens is undeniably a remarkable combat trick and can catch many opponents off guard. This can be a game-changer especially when timing and board presence are key.
Strategizing against Waylay involves anticipating the surprise element it brings to the battlefield. One efficient way to counter this card is by utilizing instant speed removal spells that can clear multiple creatures at once, like Pyroclasm or Supreme Verdict, before the tokens have a chance to block. Keeping up mana for such spells when an opponent has untapped lands and cards in hand can be crucial. Another approach is to use cards that disable activated abilities, preventing the flash-like effect of Waylay and rendering it ineffective. Lastly, simply playing around the opponent’s potential to cast Waylay by not committing to an all-in attack unless you have a sure path to victory can circumvent its impact, leaving the temporary creatures to vanish without consequence.
Understanding your opponent’s strategy and preserving the right responses for Waylay can ensure that this surprise maneuver doesn’t derail your path to victory in a game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Waylay MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Waylay 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Waylay has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |