Talrand's Invocation MTG Card

Magic 2013 (M13)
2012-07-13 - Number 73

Jumpstart (JMP)
2020-07-17 - Number 182

Talrand's Invocation - New Capenna Commander (NCC)

New Capenna Commander (NCC)
2022-04-29 - Number 234

Talrand's Invocation - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)

Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
2022-10-14 - Number 41

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Boosts board presence by creating two 2/2 flyers, enhancing both offensive and defensive strategies.
Perfect for decks focusing on spellcasting and flying synergies, offering combo potential.
Demands specific mana but makes up for it with its strategic impact on gameplay.

Text of card

Put two 2/2 blue Drake creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield.

After Talrand conquered the depths of Shandalar, his ambitions drove him skyward, joined by servants whose drive and curiosity equaled his own.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Talrand’s Invocation provides a significant uptick in card utility by creating two 2/2 blue Drake creature tokens with flying. This not only gives you creatures to defend against aerial attacks or to pursue aggressive maneuvers but also contributes to maintaining a numerical advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: As a spell that puts multiple creatures onto the field with a single card, it effectively accelerates your board presence. Additionally, those creatures can catalyze synergies with other cards that leverage the number of creatures you control or the act of casting spells.

Instant Speed: Although Talrand’s Invocation is a sorcery, its influence on the game is akin to instant speed effects due to its immediate impact on the board state. It shapes the combat dynamics in your favor by providing blockers that could deter enemy attacks in the subsequent turns. Furthermore, it thrives in decks tailored around casting spells on your turn, gaining extra value through cards that reward spellcasting with additional benefits.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Talrand’s Invocation doesn’t make you give up cards from your hand, it doesn’t make up for this by providing additional card advantage. This may put you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re struggling to maintain a solid hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Talrand’s Invocation requires a specific arrangement of mana, two blue and two of any color, to cast. This can sometimes be cumbersome for decks that aren’t dedicated to producing lots of blue mana, limiting its flexibility in multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its four-mana cost, Talrand’s Invocation produces two 2/2 blue Drake creature tokens with flying. There are scenarios where this cost could be considered steep, particularly when compared to other creature-generating spells or more impactful four-mana plays available in a deck-builder’s arsenal.

Reasons to Include Talrand’s Invocation in Your Collection

Versatility: Talrand’s Invocation slots seamlessly into numerous blue-based decks, capitalizing on its ability to generate creature tokens. This provides both defensive and offensive options, making it a solid pick in versatile strategies.

Combo Potential: The drake tokens created by this card work wonderfully with spells that care about flying creatures or those that benefit from having multiple creatures. Talrand’s Invocation can be the cornerstone of a powerful synergy, amplifying the effects of cards that boost or utilize tokens.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where board presence and creature-based tactics are predominant, Talrand’s Invocation can quickly turn the tide of a game by adding substantial aerial threats. Its capacity to put multiple bodies on the board is a boon against many popular strategies.

How to beat

Talrand’s Invocation is a spell that can swiftly change the tides of a Magic: The Gathering match by summoning two 2/2 blue Drake creature tokens with flying. This addition to your opponent’s board presents an aerial threat that must be addressed. A notable tactic to trump this move is to employ spells that can remove multiple creatures at once, commonly known as board wipes. Cards like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God can clear the battlefield of all creatures, including those conjured by Talrand’s Invocation, mitigating its impact.

Another effective strategy is to preemptively counter the spell using countermagic like Mana Leak or Negate. This can stop the invocation in its tracks, keeping the board clear and maintaining the status quo. Alternatively, adapting a deck with creatures that have the reach ability or are robust fliers themselves can help maintain aerial defense, allowing you to tackle the Drakes head-on.

Keep in mind that element of patience and timing in trapping your opponent into overcommitting to their board before you clear it. This maximizes your advantage while minimizing the effectiveness of their Talrand’s Invocation.

Cards like Talrand's Invocation

Talrand’s Invocation is a solid performer in the realm of token-generating spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with other spells like Raise the Alarm, which summons two 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. While Raise the Alarm excels in cost-efficiency at only two mana, Talrand’s Invocation creates two 2/2 blue Drake creature tokens with flying, granting a clear advantage in terms of the aerial threat.

An alternative comparison leads us to Eyes in the Skies. This card, too, produces flying tokens, but its distinction lies in the populate mechanic, potentially doubling the token advantage on the field. However, Talrand’s Invocation does not require an existing token to be effective, making it a more consistent option for deck strategies that may not have tokens at the ready.

Considering these comparisons, Talrand’s Invocation offers a strong strategic position for players who want to quickly establish air dominance. Its balance of mana cost and the value of the tokens it creates positions it favorably among spells in its class.

Cards similar to Talrand's Invocation by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Talrand's Invocation MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Jumpstart, 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 Talrand's Invocation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Talrand's Invocation Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2012-07-13	Magic 2013	M13	73	2003	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov
2	2020-07-17	Jumpstart	JMP	182	2015	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov
3	2022-04-29	New Capenna Commander	NCC	234	2015	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov
4	2022-10-14	Game Night: Free-for-All	GN3	41	2015	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov