Slice in Twain MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Removes artifacts or enchantments and offers card replacement, optimizing resource management in game play.
  2. Instant speed allows reactive play and maintains the element of surprise, enhancing tactical depth.
  3. The four mana cost is higher than some alternatives, which may affect its inclusion in cost-efficient decks.

Text of card

Destroy target artifact or enchantment. Draw a card.

"The hypocrisy of these elves is thicker than steel—destroying 'unnatural metal' with their own enchanted swords." —Kara Vrist, Neurok agent


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the key strengths of Slice in Twain in your deck is the ability to not only remove an artifact or enchantment that could be causing trouble but also to draw a card, thus replacing itself in your hand. This dual benefit ensures that you’re not losing out on resources while dealing with potential threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Slice in Twain doesn’t directly accelerate your resources like a typical ramp card, the card advantage it offers can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By drawing a card, you increase the likelihood of hitting land drops or drawing into ramp spells, keeping you ahead in the resource game.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Slice in Twain is a major tactical advantage. It allows you to wait until the optimal moment to use it, such as in response to an opponent’s actions, without needing to commit your mana during your own turn. This flexibility lets you keep up appearances of having other instant-speed interactions ready, thereby influencing your opponent’s play decisions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Slice in Twain provides a nifty advantage by allowing you to draw a card after destroying an artifact or enchantment, it doesn’t circumvent the fact that you need a card in hand to play it. In tight games where card advantage is key, having to use Slice in Twain might mean missing out on keeping another useful spell or creature in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Nestled firmly in green’s slice of the magical pie, Slice in Twain requires two green mana to cast. This can be a considerable limitation for multicolored decks that might struggle with mana fixing or decks that can’t afford to allocate slots for mana sources skewed towards green.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, two of which are color-specific, Slice in Twain carries a steeper price tag than many of its artifact and enchantment removal competitors. With streamlined spell options available that can accomplish similar goals for less, the cost-effectiveness of Slice in Twain is certainly a point to ponder when curating your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Slice in Twain is an asset to a wide array of decks, lending its services as both an efficient artifact and enchantment removal spell and a card draw mechanism. This flexibility makes it an excellent inclusion in sideboards or main decks looking to hedge against troublesome permanents.

Combo Potential: This card goes beyond simple destruction; by drawing a card, it seamlessly integrates with decks that capitalize on card advantage or have synergies with casting spells. It can also be a cog in engines that trigger upon spells being cast or specifically upon destroying opponent’s artifacts or enchantments.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts and enchantments play a prominent role, Slice in Twain increases its stock significantly. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies while keeping your hand replenished ensures that your deck stays competitive and reactive to the evolving meta.


How to beat

Slice in Twain presents itself as a robust tool for players in MTG who aim to disrupt their opponents by targeting artifacts and enchantments. Its ability to both destroy and draw offers a unique balance of disruption and card advantage. To effectively combat the impacts of Slice in Twain, a savvy strategy involves minimizing reliance on key artifacts and enchantments that are vulnerable to destruction.

Considering alternative means for achieving your deck’s goals without heavy investment in such permanent types can reduce the setback when facing this card. Moreover, cards with hexproof provide a layer of protection against targeted removal spells like Slice in Twain. It’s also beneficial to have a backup plan; instant-speed spells or abilities that can regenerate or otherwise save your important pieces from destruction allow you to maintain board presence and momentum even when your opponent has removal in hand.

Ultimately, understanding the timing and selective use of your impactful permanents can navigate you through the threat of removal and maintain an edge over opponents wielding cards like Slice in Twain. By preparing for and adapting to such disruptions, you can preserve your board state and diminish the card’s potential impact on your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embrace the strategic depth MTG offers and consider integrating Slice in Twain into your collection. It’s a potent tool that offers not just removal but card advantage, fueling your game to outpace opponents. Whether countering meta-relevant threats or enhancing combo potentials, this card holds value. As you weigh the pros and cons of including it in your deck, remember it’s the thoughtful assembly of each component that forges a path to victory. Dive deeper to understand its role in various builds and elevate your gaming prowess. Join the community of avid players and learn more to refine your deck-building strategies.


Cards like Slice in Twain

In the realm of artifact and enchantment removal within Magic: The Gathering, Slice in Twain proves to be a solid performer. It mirrors the straightforward destruction found in cards like Naturalize, which also removes targets at a more accessible cost. The distinctive feature of Slice in Twain, however, is the additional card draw upon successful destruction, offering significant card advantage over its less expensive counterparts.

Comparable in function, we have Return to Nature. This versatile card allows for the removal of not only artifacts and enchantments but also grants the option to exile cards from graveyards. It does its job at instant speed and a lower converted mana cost, but it doesn’t confer the card draw that Slice in Twain does. Then there’s Krosan Grip, which provides the unique Split Second ability preventing opponents from responding, but again, sacrifices the card draw that can be critical in maintaining hand advantage.

While evaluating these alternatives, Slice in Twain stands out in decks that value the combination of removal and card draw. It may come with a higher mana cost, but the card advantage gained often justifies this investment for players looking to maintain momentum in the later stages of the game.

Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Return to Nature - MTG Card versions
Krosan Grip - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - Onslaught (ONS)
Return to Nature - War of the Spark (WAR)
Krosan Grip - Time Spiral (TSP)

Cards similar to Slice in Twain by color, type and mana cost

Storm Seeker - MTG Card versions
Trailblazer - MTG Card versions
Venomous Breath - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Fever - MTG Card versions
Lure of Prey - MTG Card versions
Snag - MTG Card versions
Might of Oaks - MTG Card versions
Elephant Ambush - MTG Card versions
Sudden Strength - MTG Card versions
Kamahl's Will - MTG Card versions
Dragonscale Boon - MTG Card versions
Force of Vigor - MTG Card versions
Garenbrig Carver // Shield's Might - MTG Card versions
Bloodscent - MTG Card versions
Mystic Melting - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invocation - MTG Card versions
Heal the Scars - MTG Card versions
Gloomwidow's Feast - MTG Card versions
Slingbow Trap - MTG Card versions
Momentous Fall - MTG Card versions
Storm Seeker - Masters Edition (ME1)
Trailblazer - Ice Age (ICE)
Venomous Breath - Ice Age (ICE)
Fanatical Fever - Ice Age (ICE)
Lure of Prey - Mirage (MIR)
Snag - Prophecy (PCY)
Might of Oaks - Magic 2010 (M10)
Elephant Ambush - Odyssey (ODY)
Sudden Strength - Judgment (JUD)
Kamahl's Will - Commander Legends (CMR)
Dragonscale Boon - The List (PLST)
Force of Vigor - Modern Horizons 1 Timeshifts (H1R)
Garenbrig Carver // Shield's Might - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Bloodscent - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Mystic Melting - Coldsnap (CSP)
Stonewood Invocation - Time Spiral (TSP)
Heal the Scars - Lorwyn (LRW)
Gloomwidow's Feast - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Slingbow Trap - Worldwake (WWK)
Momentous Fall - Jumpstart (JMP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Slice in Twain MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Commander 2013, 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 Slice in Twain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Slice in Twain Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 1272003normalblackEfrem Palacios
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1702003normalblackEfrem Palacios
32017-09-29IxalanXLN 2072015normalblackEven Amundsen
42019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1812015normalblackEven Amundsen
52020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1902015normalblackEven Amundsen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slice in Twain has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-09-29 If the target artifact or enchantment is an illegal target by the time Slice in Twain resolves, the entire spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t draw a card. If, on the other hand, the target is a legal target but isn’t destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), you’ll draw a card.

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