Willbender MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
Abilities | Morph |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Willbender is turned face up, change the target of target spell or ability with a single target.
Cards like Willbender
Willbender, a unique card in Magic the Gathering’s array of versatile creatures, stands out as a Morph card. Notably, it compares closely to cards like Mischievous Quanar, which can also be played face-down and turned face-up for a surprise effect. However, Willbender distinguishes itself by specializing in changing the target of spells or abilities, a tactician’s dream for altering the course of the game.
In the same category, we find creatures like Voidmage Apprentice that also offer counterplay when flipped, but unlike Willbender, they counter a spell entirely rather than redirecting it. Equally interest-peaking is the Vesuvan Shapeshifter, which takes adaptation a step further by copying other creatures altogether, not merely their abilities or impacts. This reflection of strategy is invaluable for players seeking to mimic and manipulate their opponent’s moves.
When it comes to assessing the stealth and surprise factors that Morph cards like Willbender bring to the table, its ability to single-handedly swerve the momentum of a duel is unmatchable, positioning it as a secret weapon in any MTG player’s deck.
Cards similar to Willbender by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Willbender offers a unique blend of control and surprise to outmaneuver opponents. By taking their game-changing spell or ability and subtly redirecting it away at a critical moment, it can create a swing in card effectiveness, often acting as a virtual two-for-one.
Resource Acceleration: Even though Willbender itself does not directly generate mana or accelerate resources, its morph mechanic means it can be played face down for a generic mana cost. This allows for greater flexibility in utilizing mana resources, leaving open the possibility to cast other spells or activate abilities that advance your board state.
Instant Speed: The ability to flip Willbender at instant speed is a significant advantage. It allows you to pass your turn with mana unspent, keeping your opponent guessing. You can respond to their spells and abilities on their turn, catching them off guard and potentially disrupting their strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Morph cards like Willbender require you to set them face down before using their abilities, which means keeping mana open and potentially risking a strategic disadvantage without immediate payoffs.
Specific Mana Cost: Willbender’s face-up activation requires both blue mana and generic mana, which can be cumbersome for multi-color decks not heavily invested in blue mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Willbender’s surprise factor and utility, its total morph cost of three mana followed by its activation cost of two mana can be quite steep, especially since there are other cards with lower cost alternatives for redirecting spells or abilities.
Reasons to Include Willbender in Your Collection
Versatility: Willbender is known for its utility in a multitude of decks, primarily because of its Morph ability that allows it to be played face down and turned up at the right moment. This flexibility can surprise opponents and disrupt their strategies effectively.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to change the target of spells or abilities can be combined with cards that have harmful effects, turning a potential threat to yourself into a weapon against your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where targeted spells and abilities are prevalent, having a Willbender ready can deter opponents from casting their most impactful spells or can misdirect those effects for beneficial outcomes, making it a wise choice for adaptation to various competitive environments.
How to beat Willbender
Willbender, known for its covert power in changing the course of spells and abilities, is a formidable utility creature within the world of Magic: The Gathering. This mystic creature operates under the guise of a Morph card, capable of silently lurking face down until the right moment to reveal itself and redirect an unsuspecting spell or ability to a new target.
Overcoming the deceptive Willbender requires tactical play. One strategy is to bait out the Willbender’s ability with a less critical spell before casting something more vital. Keeping an eye out for available mana and potential face-down creatures is also key; Willbender can’t activate its ability when the player controlling it is tapped out. Additionally, instant-speed removal can dispose of Willbender before its Morph ability is activated. Counter spells can also be effective, but timing is crucial to avoid the change of target.
Ultimately, understanding the typical play patterns of your opponent and maintaining a presence of instants that can either remove or counter key cards goes a long way in neutralizing the threat of Willbender. By staying vigilant and ready to react, you can diminish the impact of this shape-shifting adversary on your quest to victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the art of surprise is essential in MTG, and Willbender exemplifies this with its ability to turn the tide of a match when least expected. Its morphing trickery makes it a gem for control players who thrive on cunning and flexibility. As you build your collection, consider the advantage of having this shape-shifter up your sleeve, ready to outwit your opponents with a well-timed redirection. Continue to expand your MTG skills and arsenal at BurnMana, where we delve into the strategies that make each card not just a piece in the game, but a pivot for victory. Enhance your gameplay with Willbender and let us guide you through the labyrinth of MTG’s endless possibilities.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Willbender MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Legions, 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 Willbender 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 Willbender Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36258 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | ||
2 | 2003-02-03 | Legions | LGN | 58 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
3 | Friday Night Magic 2004 | F04 | 1 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | ||
4 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 36 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
5 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
6 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A33 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
7 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
8 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
9 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 6 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
10 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
11 | 2019-08-23 | Commander 2019 | C19 | 102 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Willbender has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Willbender card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield. |
2013-04-15 | If a spell with split second is on the stack, you can still respond by turning this creature face up and targeting that spell with the trigger. This is because split second only stops players from casting spells or activating abilities, while turning a creature face up is a special action. |
2018-03-16 | If a spell or ability targets multiple things, you can’t target it with Willbender’s triggered ability, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal. |
2018-03-16 | If a spell or ability targets the same player or object multiple times, you can’t target it with Willbender’s ability. |
2018-03-16 | You don’t choose the new target for the spell until Willbender’s triggered ability resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can’t change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn’t changed. It doesn’t matter if the original target of that spell has somehow become illegal itself. |