Double Cross MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set name	Unglued
Set code	UGL
Number	31
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Jeff Laubenstein
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Double Cross can provide card advantage and disrupt opponents while claiming their threats.
Playing Double Cross instantly adds a surprise factor, potentially turning a game’s tide.
Its drawbacks include a steep discard requirement and a specific, high mana cost.

Text of card

Choose another player. Look at that player's hand and choose one of those cards other than a basic land. He or she discards that card. At the beginning of the next game with the player, look at the player's hand and choose one of those cards other than a basic land. He or she discards that card.

"You're in for a nasty butt-kickin'."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Double Cross, the potential for card superiority is high. It permits you to not only disrupt your opponent’s strategy but also claim their threats for your own use, effectively turning the tide by netting additional resources while depleting theirs.

Resource Acceleration: Gaining control of your opponent’s creatures could lead to a significant uptick in your board presence. This can expedite your victory by leveraging their resources to your advantage, potentially accelerating the pace at which you can deploy your game plan.

Instant Speed: The aptitude to act at instant speed gives Double Cross flexibility and surprise factor. It allows for reactionary plays that can drastically alter the course of a match, utilizing your mana efficiently while keeping opponents guessing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Double Cross requires you to discard not one but two cards from your hand, a steep price that may deplete your resources too quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is split between two colors, restricting it to multicolor decks and possibly straining your mana base during critical turns.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost that includes two black and two red mana, Double Cross asks for quite a mana investment which might be better allocated towards more impactful spells or creatures in a game.

Reasons to Include Double Cross in Your Collection

Versatility: Double Cross offers flexible gameplay choices, making it a valuable addition to decks that thrive on using their opponents’ strategies against them. Its ability to turn the tide by using an opponent’s exiled cards allows for unexpected plays and can adapt to a variety of game states.

Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate with strategies that manipulate exile zones or benefit from playing opponents’ cards. It can also synergize with cards that allow you to control your opponents’ moves, setting up powerful and game-altering combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where exiling cards is prevalent, Double Cross could be a game-changer. Its ability to capitalize on commonly used exile mechanics means it could potentially disrupt many popular strategies, giving you an edge in the current competitive landscape.

How to beat

Overcoming the Double Cross card in a game of Magic: The Gathering requires strategy and understanding of its mechanics. This card’s ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand by forcing a discard can be turned into an advantage with the right approach. One method is by maintaining a hand of less valuable cards, minimizing the impact of the discard effect. Cards that benefit when being discarded or those that can be played from the graveyard also mitigate Double Cross’s potential damage.

Another tactic involves utilizing instant-speed spells to remove or negate Double Cross when it’s on the stack. Counterspells are perfect for protecting your key cards and keeping control of the game’s flow. If Double Cross resolves, focusing on quickly replenishing your hand with card draw effects ensures that you maintain resources and pressure on your opponent, lessening the impact of the lost card.

Lastly, proactively dealing with your opponent’s threats before they gather enough mana to activate Double Cross can significantly reduce its effectiveness. This preemptive playstyle requires constant board and hand presence awareness, ensuring your key pieces remain safe and your plan uninterrupted by such treacheries.

Cards like Double Cross

Double Cross finds its place in the pantheon of deceptive MTG spells that allow players to manipulate opponents’ decisions. It draws a parallel to Switcheroo, in that both cards revolve around exchanging control of permanents. However, Double Cross challenges the dynamic by placing the choice in the opponent’s hands, potentially creating unexpected outcomes in contrast to Switcheroo’s straightforward swap.

Confusion in the Ranks is another card that enters the fray with a constant hint of chaos, triggering exchanges whenever a creature or artifact comes into play. Its effect is more global and persistent than Double Cross, yet lacks the targeted precision that Double Cross can provide in a pinch. Mind Control, while not involving an exchange, shares a thematic link by enabling you to take command of an opponent’s creature, solidifying its status as a fundamental card in the control arsenal without relying on opponent decisions.

Each card exhibits its own tactical advantages, but Double Cross stands out for its unique psychological spin on interaction, shedding light onto the fascinating aspect of decision-making in MTG gameplay.

Confusion in the Ranks - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Double Cross by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Double Cross MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Double Cross and other MTG cards: