Astral Slide MTG Card


Astral Slide utilizes cycling for card advantage and disrupts opponents with creature exile. Deck integration demands ample hand size and a mana base conducive to white mana. Versatile and meta-relevant, it shines in cycling-themed decks or with graveyard synergies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever a player cycles a card, you may remove target creature from the game. If you do, return that creature to play under its owner's control at end of turn.

"The hum of the universe is never off-key." —Mystic elder


Cards like Astral Slide

Astral Slide is a unique card that has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering’s cycling deck strategies. It bears a resemblance to cards like Lightning Rift in how it interacts with cycling, yet Astral Slide has a distinct approach by focusing on creature exile and return. While Lightning Rift deals damage each time a player cycles a card, Astral Slide offers a more protective tactic by removing creatures from play temporarily, which can disrupt opponents’ strategies and also save your creatures from removal or enable retriggering of enter-the-battlefield effects.

Drake Haven is another card that fans of cycling might recognize. This enchantment creates a creature token whenever you cycle, providing a more aggressive strategy compared to the defensive utility of Astral Slide. Though not directly comparable in function, both these cards enhance the value of cycling cards by offering additional benefits each time you cycle.

When considering the impact and utility within the realm of cycling-themed decks, Astral Slide stands out for its unique approach to board control. Therefore, for players looking to leverage cycling for more than just drawing cards, Astral Slide presents a compelling option that synergizes well with various deck-building strategies.

Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Drake Haven - MTG Card versions
Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Drake Haven - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Astral Slide by color, type and mana cost

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Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Astral Slide. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Selesnya ControlSelesnya Control PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Astral Slide offers a unique mechanism for prolonging the battlefield presence by cycling other cards. Each cycle not only replaces itself in your hand but also offers the potential to remove threatening creatures off the board or reuse your own creatures’ enter-the-battlefield abilities.

Resource Acceleration: While Astral Slide doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the synergy with cycling-heavy decks can indirectly accelerate your gameplay by ensuring that you consistently draw into your lands and spells, keeping the engine running smoothly.

Instant Speed: The true power of Astral Slide shines at instant speed. This allows you to react to your opponents’ moves during their turn, offering a disruptive playstyle that can protect your creatures or disrupt your opponent’s strategies mid-combat or in response to spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Astral Slide necessitates that you discard a card to trigger its effect. While cycling can be a versatile tool, it requires you to have an ample hand size. For players who find themselves in situations with a dwindling hand, activating Astral Slide’s ability may not be beneficial, particularly if the cards in hand are crucial for maintaining board presence or winning the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Astral Slide’s utility is confined by its exacting mana cost. It demands both white mana and generic mana. This condition restricts its integration predominantly to white-based decks or those with a reliable mana base that can consistently produce the necessary white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Having a casting cost of three mana, including one white, Astral Slide competes with other impactful three-mana spells. Considering the cycling cost for activating its ability, the investment can be substantial. In faster-paced games or against decks that apply early pressure, allocating mana to set up and use Astral Slide can result in a tempo loss, making it less appealing compared to lower-cost alternatives that influence the board immediately.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Astral Slide can seamlessly integrate into various deck types, primarily those revolving around cycling or graveyard synergies. Its ability to exile creatures can be a defensive move or a strategic play to re-trigger enter-the-battlefield effects.

Combo Potential: With the right cycling cards, Astral Slide has the potential to create an engine that allows for recurring triggers and interactions, which can disrupt your opponents and swing the game in your favour.

Meta-Relevance: In game formats where creatures dominate the board and combat tricks are abundant, Astral Slide provides a repeatable way to control the battlefield, making it a relevant tactical addition to your collection.


How to beat

Astral Slide is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that can shape the battlefield by repeatedly flickering creatures out of play. It’s a versatile tool, most effective in decks heavy with cycling cards. To overcome this, focus on removal or counter strategies. Direct enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize are straightforward solutions, effectively neutralizing Astral Slide. Countering it with spells like Negate can prevent it from ever hitting the field.

Alternatively, employing an aggressive deck with low-cost creatures can outrun the cycling strategy, minimizing the impact of Astral Slide. Strategies that don’t rely on creatures, such as direct damage or combo decks, may also sidestep its influence. Lastly, capitalize on the moments when your opponent is tapped out and less likely to cycle, pressing your advantage before Astral Slide can be activated. While formidable, Astral Slide decks have weaknesses that, once exploited, can swing the game in your favor.

By considering your deck’s strengths and keeping these strategies in mind, you can confidently challenge an opponent wielding the elusive Astral Slide and secure your victory on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Astral Slide in your MTG deck isn’t just about knowing the card’s mechanics—it’s about building a strategy that takes advantage of its full potential. This card offers a dynamic edge to any deck centered around cycling, enriching your tactical toolkit with maneuverability that can swing the game’s momentum. If you’re looking to optimize your gameplay, refine your collection, or simply love to explore creative deck-building, Astral Slide deserves a closer look. Dive into our treasure trove of insights, where you’ll unearth ways to enhance your deck’s performance and tactics to outplay the competition at any level. Discover more with us and command the battlefield with finesse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Astral Slide MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Onslaught, 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 Astral Slide and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Astral Slide Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Ron Spears.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 325672003NormalBlackRon Spears
22002-10-07OnslaughtONS 41997NormalBlackRon Spears
32004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 jn42003NormalGoldRon Spears
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 132015NormalBlackRon Spears

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Astral Slide has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Astral Slide card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If a player cycles a card during the end step, the creature that is exiled won't come back until the end of the next turn.
2008-08-01 If a face-down card is exiled, it turns face-up and remains face-up when it returns to the battlefield. This does not trigger any abilities that would trigger on it being turned face-up.