Double Play MTG Card


Double Play - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Number55
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Bordersilver
Illustred byClaymore J. Flapdoodle
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage and strategic depth grow by utilizing Double Play for its unique duplicative ability.
  2. Its instant speed enables reactionary plays, keeping opponents guessing and enhancing flexibility.
  3. While offering a powerful effect, its specific costs and requirements can limit usability.

Text of card

Choose another player. Search your library for a basic land and put that land into play. At the beginning of the next game with that player, search your library for an additional basic land and put that land into play. In both cases, shuffle your library afterwards.

The wizard exclaimed, "I'm no chicken . . . ."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Double Play extends your hand by offering a tempting twist on traditional card drawing. Unlike singular draw spells, it increases your strategic options and can provide a significant lead over opponents by doubling the effects of the played spell or ability.

Resource Acceleration: Casting Double Play can lead to a more formidable board state in a flash. For spells or abilities that generate mana or resources, imagine the impact when duplicated—effectively fueling more powerful plays or setting up for a critical turn ahead.

Instant Speed: The flexible timing of this card allows for nuanced play styles. Cast it during your opponent’s turn to react swiftly to their actions, or utilize it end of turn to maximize your next move. The instant nature of Double Play ensures you retain control, keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The mechanics of Double Play demand the player to discard a card, which could be particularly detrimental when your hand is running low. This cost means sacrificing potential plays or strategies, reducing the versatility in your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: This card features a mana cost that includes more than one color, necessitating a multicolored deck for optimal use. This requirement could be restrictive for players who prefer monochromatic decks or those who have difficulty managing their mana base in a dual-color system.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a more substantial cost than other options within the same category, Double Play might not be the most mana-efficient choice. Players must weigh the advantage of its unique effect against other available cards that could provide a similar benefit for a lesser mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Double Play offers flexible engagement options, easily slotting into various strategies that value both reactive and proactive plays within a single card.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks focused on casting multiple spells in a turn, enabling intricate combos and potentially escalating your board state advantage with each cast.

Meta-Relevance: Given its dual nature, Double Play holds its ground in a meta that fluctuates between aggressive and control-oriented playstyles, making it a resilient addition to any collection.


How to beat

Double Play is a card whose value can be underestimated until it leads an adversary to a commanding victory in Magic: The Gathering. It possesses the unique attribute of copying any instant or sorcery spell, giving players a significant edge. Furthermore, the copied spell’s effect doubles, intensifying the impact of whatever action you were already taking, whether that’s drawing cards, dealing damage, or countering an opponent’s strategies.

To counteract Double Play, there are a few tactics one might employ. First, holding up counterspells specifically for this card can prevent it from resolving and wreaking havoc. Another effective method involves limiting the number of valuable targets for Double Play by playing at instant speed, thus not providing a favorable window for your opponent to capitalize on its doubling ability. Lastly, instant-speed removal or discard effects can force an opponent to use Double Play suboptimally before they are ready or on less impactful spells, mitigating the double trouble headed your way.

Mastering the timing and strategy against cards like Double Play will significantly improve your gameplay, ensuring you maintain control and reduce the chances of opponents leveraging their spells to their maximum potential against you.


Cards like Double Play

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the new card Double Play carves its place among other versatile spells. Its unique aspect is its ability to allow a player to choose two modes amongst four – a design shared by cards like Cryptic Command. Unlike Cryptic Command, which is more flexible and has instant speed, Double Play focuses on sorcery speed which may affect the timing of its strategic uses. Additionally, Double Play’s mana cost presents an advantage for certain deck builds looking for more accessible options.

Comparable to Double Play is the card Collective Defiance, offering multiple choices as well, but with different modes that cater to a more aggressive playstyle. Though Collective Defiance grants immediate impact at instant speed, it lacks the subtlety of Double Play’s second cast potential with cards from the graveyard. It’s this repeatable utility that positions Double Play uniquely within the meta.

Examining further, we find Fiery Confluence – a spell that exudes power through its modal choices. Despite its higher mana cost compared to Double Play, it compensates players with the potential for immediate, substantial damage output. However, Double Play’s lower cost and recursive interactions offer a nuanced advantage for players preferring to set up for longer-term strategic plays.

Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Collective Defiance - MTG Card versions
Fiery Confluence - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - Lorwyn (LRW)
Collective Defiance - Eldritch Moon Promos (PEMN)
Fiery Confluence - Commander 2015 (C15)

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

Plow Under - MTG Card versions
Restock - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Path - MTG Card versions
Parallel Evolution - MTG Card versions
Stunted Growth - MTG Card versions
Shamanic Revelation - MTG Card versions
Primal Command - MTG Card versions
Rebuking Ceremony - MTG Card versions
Feast of Worms - MTG Card versions
Natural Spring - MTG Card versions
Predatory Focus - MTG Card versions
Cyclical Evolution - MTG Card versions
Overrun - MTG Card versions
Incremental Growth - MTG Card versions
Savage Conception - MTG Card versions
Bestial Menace - MTG Card versions
Overwhelming Stampede - MTG Card versions
Predatory Rampage - MTG Card versions
Mischief and Mayhem - MTG Card versions
Selvala's Charge - MTG Card versions
Plow Under - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Restock - Invasion (INV)
Tranquil Path - Apocalypse (APC)
Parallel Evolution - The List (PLST)
Stunted Growth - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Shamanic Revelation - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Primal Command - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Rebuking Ceremony - Darksteel (DST)
Feast of Worms - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Natural Spring - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Predatory Focus - Guildpact (GPT)
Cyclical Evolution - Future Sight (FUT)
Overrun - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Incremental Growth - Lorwyn (LRW)
Savage Conception - Eventide (EVE)
Bestial Menace - Midnight Hunt Commander (MIC)
Overwhelming Stampede - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Predatory Rampage - Magic 2013 (M13)
Mischief and Mayhem - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Selvala's Charge - Conspiracy (CNS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Double Play 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 Play and other MTG cards:

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