Ghostly Flicker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Extracts game value by flickering two targets, including impactful creatures or lands for mana.
  2. Allows additional turn utility by untapping mana-generating permanents or disrupting opponents.
  3. Instant speed execution enables optimal timing for both offensive and defensive play.

Text of card

Exile two target artifacts, creatures, and/or lands you control, then return those cards to the battlefield under your control.

Sometimes it's useful to take a break from existence.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghostly Flicker is adept at extracting value by flickering two targeted permanents, which could include creatures with potent enter-the-battlefield effects or lands to untap for additional mana.

Resource Acceleration: When used with certain mana-generating permanents, it can serve as a resource acceleration tool, effectively allowing you to untap those permanents for an additional use within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s actions during their turn, save your permanents from removal, or simply utilize the card’s effect at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the heat of a tightly-knit game, holding onto Ghostly Flicker may force you to discard other valuable cards from your hand due to a capped hand size. This can be particularly troubling if the card has yet to find its moment on the battlefield and your other cards are also essential in the immediate context.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghostly Flicker demands a precise mana combination to be cast, requiring both blue and colorless mana. This condition can be restrictive and might not align with the mana base of multicolored or heavy color-demanding decks, which inhibits its flexibility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three mana, including one that must be blue, Ghostly Flicker sits at a point on the mana curve that can be considered high for its effect. Other options in the MTG universe may offer similar effects for less, or provide additional value or versatility for a similar cost, which might make Ghostly Flicker a less optimal choice for some strategies.


Reasons to Include Ghostly Flicker in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghostly Flicker is a unique tool in any deck builder’s arsenal, capable of rescuing creatures or permanents under threat, retriggering enter-the-battlefield abilities, or simply dodging detrimental spells. The range of strategic uses it provides makes it a key card in many blue-centric control and combo decks.

Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where you can capitalize on it to create powerful interactions. For instance, pairing it with creatures that have beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects can result in significant advantage. It is also a perfect match for cards with flicker synergies, setting up the potential for infinite combos in the right circumstances.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting landscape of decks in the competitive scene, Ghostly Flicker remains a contender due to its ability to adapt and counteract various popular strategies. Whether it’s through recycling your own effects or thwarting opponents’ plans, the applicability of Ghostly Flicker adapts to the current state of the game-making it a valuable addition to any collection.


How to beat

Ghostly Flicker is a multifaceted magic card that allows players to exile two target artifacts, creatures, and/or lands they control, then return those cards to the battlefield under their control. This can protect your valuable assets from removal spells, enable re-triggering of enter-the-battlefield effects, or even disrupt opponent strategies. To counter this trick, instant-speed removal or counterspells like Negate or Dispel can intercept the spell as it’s cast. Additionally, pinpoint disruption like Krosan Grip can target the card’s synergy pieces, minimizing the impact of the flicker effect. Graveyard hate such as Rest in Peace also hinders recurring combo pieces, which Ghostly Flicker often aims to exploit.

Understanding the card’s mechanics is crucial. Once it’s played, the flicker effect is on the stack, and that’s your window to respond. Keep mana available for interaction and closely watch the board state. Controlling decks in particular hold the key to efficiently address Ghostly Flicker maneuvers. Therefore, staying one step ahead by anticipating and preparing for this card can effectively nullify its advantages, ensuring the ethereal magic of Ghostly Flicker doesn’t disrupt your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ghostly Flicker holds potential for dynamic plays in any MTG collection. With its capacity to manipulate the battlefield and maximize enter-the-battlefield triggers, it’s a gem for control and combo aficionados. As the MTG meta evolves, staying informed on how to integrate such versatile cards is critical. Understand its strengths, grasp its weaknesses, and learn the most effective ways to harness its power or disrupt its play. Expand your gaming strategies and discover new ways to secure victory with this intriguing instant. Dive into our repository of knowledge and let us guide you through the art of mastering Ghostly Flicker and similar mechanics in the landscape of MTG.


Cards like Ghostly Flicker

Ghostly Flicker stands out in the realm of instant-speed flicker effects within Magic: The Gathering. It offers the unique ability to exile two target artifacts, creatures, and/or lands you control and then return those cards to the battlefield under their owner’s control. This utility can be compared to that of Momentary Blink, which at a lower cost can flicker one creature, but doesn’t have the versatility of targeting multiple or different types of permanents.

Another counterpart to Ghostly Flicker is Cloudshift, which similarly blinks a creature at a very low cost and at instant speed. While Cloudshift is more mana economical, Ghostly Flicker’s advantage is in its potential to dramatically alter the state of the game by affecting multiple permanents. Additionally, compare it to Displace, which shares the exact effect of Ghostly Flicker but lacks its instant speed, giving Ghostly Flicker the upper hand in timing and surprise factor.

Examining these cards as a whole highlights Ghostly Flicker’s position as a versatile and strategic card in the flicker and bounce mechanics panorama. Its ability to interact with more than just creatures gives it a unique stance that promises creative and powerful plays for the discerning Magic: The Gathering player.

Momentary Blink - MTG Card versions
Cloudshift - MTG Card versions
Displace - MTG Card versions
Momentary Blink - Time Spiral (TSP)
Cloudshift - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Displace - Eldritch Moon (EMN)

Cards similar to Ghostly Flicker by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Psionic Blast - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Capsize - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Forbid - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Frantic Search - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Exclude - Invasion (INV)
Hibernation - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Circular Logic - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Keep Watch - Judgment (JUD)
Archmage's Charm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Commander's Insight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Ixidor's Will - Onslaught (ONS)
Catalog - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Thirst for Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2004 (WC04)
Murmurs from Beyond - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Dream Fracture - Eventide (EVE)
Oona's Grace - Eventide (EVE)
Cancel - Ixalan (XLN)
Deluge - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Stoic Rebuttal - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghostly Flicker MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Ghostly Flicker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ghostly Flicker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 572003normalblackRaymond Swanland
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 392015normalblackRaymond Swanland
32021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 392015normalblackRaymond Swanland
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 982015normalblackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghostly Flicker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-03-14 The two targets can have different card types. For example, you can target one artifact and one creature with Ghostly Flicker.

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