When We Were Young MTG Card

‘When We Were Young’ enables key graveyard retrieval and cost-free spell casting, potentially swinging game momentum. Graveyard play enhancements and instant speed activation provide strategic depth and unexpected gameplay twists. Demanding specific mana and a high casting cost can limit deck integration and hand resource management.

When We Were Young - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2022-02-18
Set symbol
Set name	Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Set code	NEO
Number	43
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eric Deschamps

Text of card

Up to two target creatures each get +2/+2 until end of turn. If you control an artifact and an enchantment, those creatures also gain lifelink until end of turn.

Since Imperial custom strictly forbade the Emperor to reveal her name—even to Kaito, her closest childhood friend—she had to suffer him calling her "your emperorness" for much of their shared youth.

Cards like When We Were Young

The When We Were Young card in Magic: The Gathering taps into the nostalgia and strategic depth that seasoned players appreciate. It operates within the same thematic sphere as cards like Time Warp, which also manipulates the flow of time by granting extra turns. However, When We Were Young brings its unique twist by targeting creatures that were cast earlier in the game, ostensibly echoing the card’s title and flavor.

Alongside it, we can find cards like Aggravated Assault and Seize the Day that offer additional combat phases, resonating with When We Were Young’s approach to maximizing early game advantages. Though these cards don’t specifically interact with creature age, the impact on tempo and combat opportunities is a common thread. Additionally, we see Nexus of Fate in this space, providing extra turns with a robust recursion aspect. While Nexus of Fate commands a broader effect on the game, When We Were Young narrows its focus, sharpening its edge for specific tactical scenarios.

Ultimately, When We Were Young sits comfortably within a niche of MTG cards designed for strategic layering of turns and combat phases. It honors the past moves of players and exemplifies a blend of reminiscence and tactical foresight in gameplay.

Cards similar to When We Were Young by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: ‘When We Were Young’ provides a unique opportunity to not only retrieve a key piece from your graveyard but also to potentially cast it at no additional cost. This dual ability can effectively turn the tide of a game by flooding your side of the board with impactful spells or creatures that were previously thought to be out of reach.

Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to cast a high-cost spell from the graveyard without paying its mana cost, this enchanting card promotes resource acceleration. It enables a more efficient use of mana resources throughout the game, giving you a considerable advantage and the potential to outpace your opponents in terms of board development.

Instant Speed: The flexibility to activate ‘When We Were Young’ at instant speed opens up strategic plays that can disrupt your opponent’s tactics. Timing this activation to turn a loss into a win or to surprise an opponent with an unexpected blocker can be pivotal during critical moments of the match. The ability to react swiftly to game changes makes this card an unpredictable and valuable tool in any player’s arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When We Were Young requires players to discard a card, putting a strain on their hand, especially during tight resource scenarios. This could lead to losing strategic components essential for later stages of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a need for a particular combination of mana types; it demands white mana along with others. This restriction limits its flexibility, potentially unfitting for multicolored decks that can’t always guarantee the desired mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The efficiency of mana spent versus the advantage gained is not always favorable with When We Were Young. Considering the mana cost, players might find alternative cards with lower mana demands or ones that offer a more impactful presence on the gameplay with similar or less investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: When We Were Young is a card that brings flexibility to any deck, easily integrating into strategies that hinge on creature control or event-led advantages, such as triggering enter the battlefield effects or supporting tribal themes.

Combo Potential: With its unique mechanics, When We Were Young offers the possibility to set up powerful chains of actions, potentially looping effects or enhancing creatures in a way that can quickly turn the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to interact with widely-used deck archetypes, When We Were Young aligns well with the ever-shifting metagame, making it a compelling choice for players looking to stay competitive.

How to beat

When We Were Young brings a unique twist to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, offering strategic advantages to players who can wield its abilities effectively. Its capability to manipulate the passage of time for spells can be a game-changer. However, to come out on top against this powerful card, it requires careful consideration and thoughtful counterplay.

Countering When We Were Young requires a multi-angle strategy. Firstly, instant speed interaction can disrupt its time-bending effect. Cards like Negate or Dispel are excellent at sniping spells on the stack, ensuring When We Were Young never gets to impact the board. Additionally, graveyard manipulation through Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace can prevent players from exploiting the benefits of past turns. However, keep in mind, timing is everything—particularly when countering spells that deal with time itself! Having removal or countermeasures at the ready lets you remain one step ahead.

Tackling When We Were Young effectively ensures you maintain the tempo of the game and keeps your opponent’s strategic advantages in check. Planning, foresight, and strategic use of instants or graveyard hate can make all the difference when facing this formidable card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase When We Were Young MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 When We Were Young and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where When We Were Young has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2022-02-18	The artifact and the enchantment may be the same permanent.
2022-02-18	Whether you control an artifact and an enchantment is checked as When We Were Young resolves.
2022-02-18	“Those creatures” refers to the target creatures, not the artifact and the enchantment.