Reflection MTG Card


Reflection - Theros Beyond Death
TypeToken Creature — Reflection
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 3
Toughness 2
Number5
Frame2015
Layouttoken
Borderblack
Illustred byKieran Yanner
TokenTokens act as indicators during gameplay and are not included into building a deck.

Key Takeaways

  1. Reflection excels in card advantage and can be a resource accelerant, crucial for outpacing opponents.
  2. Instant speed play gives Reflection a surprise factor, allowing for tactical plays that disrupt adversaries.
  3. It demands careful resource management; its specific mana cost and requirement for discarding can be challenging.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reflection is a remarkable tool for card longevity. By duplicating spells, it ensures an ongoing supply of options, allowing players to stretch their strategic capabilities over the course of a match. This replication can mean the difference between running out of steam and outmaneuvering an opponent with a sustained flow of resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card provides players with an exceptional form of resource acceleration. By copying spells that produce mana, Reflection can essentially double the rate at which a player can build their mana base. This boost is a game-changer, enabling faster deployment of high-cost cards and giving players a decisive edge on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The inherent flexibility of Reflection being an instant significantly elevates strategic depth. It can be deployed at the most opportune moments, such as countering an opponent’s move or maximizing the impact of end-of-turn plays. This timing gives players a tactical surprise element, often catching opponents off-guard and shifting the game’s momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you cast Reflection, you’re compelled to discard another card, which can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling. This downside requires careful hand management to ensure you’re not sacrificing crucial components of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Reflection is not only specific but also somewhat restrictive, requiring a mix of generic and colored mana. This may make it less flexible in decks that have a tight mana base or those that operate on a multicolor scheme with limited access to the required colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its effects, Reflection can be considered mana-intensive compared to other options available. Players might find that deploying it comes at the cost of tempo, potentially giving opponents the opportunity to establish a more dominant board presence or advance their game plan unimpeded.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reflection is a card that can slide into numerous deck archetypes with ease. Its ability to potentially copy a wide array of spells or permanents means it could serve multiple roles, fitting snugly in control, combo, or even more aggressive builds, always adapting to the deck’s needs.

Combo Potential: In a deck built around certain synergies, Reflection can exponentially increase your available plays by copying key spells. This not only can lead to game-winning combinations but also fosters a rich space for creative deck building that exploits this duplicative nature.

Meta-Relevance: The card’s adaptability makes it a contender in various metagames. Whether the environment is slow and grindy, or fast-paced and volatile, Reflection can be the ace up your sleeve, turning the tides by imitating the most powerful spells on the battlefield at crucial moments.


How to beat

Reflection as an MTG card offers a unique set of challenges on the battlefield. To counteract its effect, players should focus on strategies that prevent copying or that can dismantle the combo pieces necessary for its activation. Hand disruption techniques, counterspells, or removals targeting the enablers before the ability can be triggered are effective measures.

It’s crucial to keep a keen eye on your opponent’s mana pool and potential untapped lands, as this could signal the imminent use of Reflection’s ability. Directly aiming at the card with targeted removal the moment it hits the field is a solid approach, minimizing the window for your opponent to capitalize on its copy potential. Hosing cards – those that specifically target or negate the effects of certain abilities or card types – also serve as preemptive protection, ensuring Reflection never reaches its full potential.

Finally, leveraging graveyard disruption mechanics can thwart any strategies focused on recurring Reflection from the graveyard, thereby permanently removing the threat from the equation. Vigilance and proactive measures are your best allies against this card, making it less daunting and allowing you to maintain control of the game.


Cards like Reflection

Reflection, while not as well-known as some iconic cards in Magic: The Gathering, holds a distinct place in the realm of copy effects. When examining its similarities to other cards, it stands out because of its ability to clone creatures. It echoes the versatility of Clone, allowing players to mimic any creature on the battlefield. However, Reflection differentiates itself with its unique trigger conditions and copying constraints.

Parallel to Reflection, we have cards like Mirror Image and Stunt Double, where the former strictly clones your creatures at a lower cost. Stunt Double adds flexibility to the mix, with flash enabling surprise plays. Both cards offer the potent gameplay mechanic of duplicating valuable creatures, yet lack the repeatability that Reflection can potentially offer.

Ultimately, Reflection finds its niche among clone spell enthusiasts in MTG. Its particular functionality might appeal to players favoring specific strategic setups, distinguishing itself from one-time use counterparts that can’t match its theoretically infinite copy potential.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Mirror Image - MTG Card versions
Stunt Double - MTG Card versions
Clone - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Mirror Image - Core Set 2019 (M19)
Stunt Double - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reflection MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Reflection and other MTG cards:

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