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Illusion
Illusion
Creature Type
(Subtype for creature/kindred cards)
Statistics
94 cards
{W} 2.1% {U} 92.6% {B} 3.2% {U/B} 1.1% {M} 1.1%
14 Illusion creation cards
{W} 14.3% {U} 78.6% {R} 7.1%
as of Commander Masters
Scryfall Search
type:"Illusion"

Illusion is a creature type used for cards that depict incorporeal beings that are manifestations of pure thought and will, often aligned with blue mana.

Description[ | ]

As the existence of Illusions is often based on the manipulation of mind magic, their attributes are variable.[1] As they are immaterial, some may be used to attack through an enemy's defenses. However, many are at such odds with reality, direct contact with the material world breaks their spell and causes them to vanish or be destroyed. This is seen in their "Illusion ability" (When ~ becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it).[2][3] More recent Illusions are only vulnerable to spells, not to abilities.[4]

The first creatures to bear the type were Illusionary Presence and Illusionary Forces in Ice Age, though the Psionic Entity from Legends was later issued errata to become an Illusion as well. More than sixty Illusions have been printed, so far. They typically have flying, shadow or some other kind of evasion. Where the illusion takes a clear inspiration, "illusion" acts like a class and it has another subtype, though many illusions are simply bizarre amalgamations that can't be described as anything else. [5] This puts it into the shortlist of race/class types, alongside Zombie and Spirit.

Notable Illusions[ | ]

Trivia[ | ]

Tokens[ | ]

Token Name Color Type Line P/T Text Box Source Printings
Illusion Blue Creature — Illusion 0/2 Whenever this creature blocks a creature, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Blue Creature — Illusion 1/1 Flying
Blue Creature — Illusion 1/1 This creature gets +1/+0 for each other Illusion you control.
Blue Creature — Illusion 2/2
Blue Creature — Illusion 2/2 When this creature becomes the target of a spell, sacrifice it.
Blue Creature — Illusion X/X
Bird Illusion Blue Creature — Bird Illusion 1/1 Flying
Dog Illusion Blue Creature — Dog Illusion */* This creature's power and toughness are each equal to twice the number of cards in your hand.
Dragon Illusion Red Creature — Dragon Illusion X/X Flying, Haste
Labyrinth Guardian White Creature — Zombie Illusion Warrior 2/3 Whenever Labyrinth Guardian becomes the target of a spell, sacrifice it.

Creature Update[ | ]

In the Grand Creature Type Update the creature types Entity (Psionic Entity), Mistfolk (Mistfolk) and Phantasm (for example Phantasmal Mount) were changed into Illusion.

References[ | ]

  1. Wizards of the Coast (January 1, 2007). "Ask Wizards - January 2007". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Mark Rosewater (February 07, 2016). "Have we seen the last of "skulking"?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mark Rosewater (September 07, 2017). "Could you tell me a little about the upgrade on Illusions?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Mark Rosewater (October 28, 2015). "Is "Illusion" like Zombie?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Magic Arcana (January 20, 2010). "Summoning an Illusion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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