Illusionist's Stratagem

Instant

Exile up to two target creatures you control, then return those cards to the battlefield under their owner's control.
Draw a card.

"When everything hangs on a single moment, be sure you choose the right moment."
—Jace Beleren

Legality

Legal in: Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Historic, Timeless, Gladiator, Commander, Duel Commander, Oathbreaker, Brawl, Competitive Brawl
Not legal in: Standard, Pauper, Future Standard, Alchemy, Penny Dreadful, Premodern, Old School 93/94, Pauper Commander, PreDH, Tiny Leaders, Standard Brawl

2017-02-09 You may cast Illusionist’s Stratagem without any targets if you wish to just draw a card.
2017-02-09 If each target creature is an illegal target as Illusionist’s Stratagem resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t draw a card.
2017-02-09 Each card that returns to the battlefield will be a new object with no connection to the creature that was exiled. It won’t be in combat or have any additional abilities it may have had when it was exiled. Any +1/+1 counters on it or Auras attached to it are removed, and any Equipment will no longer be attached.
2017-02-09 If a creature token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and will not return to the battlefield.
2017-02-09 If you choose two target creatures and one is an illegal target as Illusionist’s Stratagem resolves, you’ll exile the other, return it, and draw a card.

MTGO price: 0.003 TIX, the cheapest non-foil print (average sell price on GoatBots, 31 Oct 2026).

60 combos, the most popular first: