Erratic Portal MTG Card


Erratic Portal delivers card protection and repeatable ETB ability usage, adding layers of depth to MTG tactics. Activating at instant speed, it allows strategic reactions, although mana costs can be a hindrance in tight situations. While aiding in resource management and combos, its four mana investment demands careful game planning from players.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

o1, oc T: Return target creature to owner's hand unless its controller pays o1.

"In Barrin's name!" cried Lyna as Hanna's sword passed through her, "Ertai sends word that the portal is open—but not for long!"


Cards like Erratic Portal

The Erratic Portal offers a unique dimension of gameplay in Magic: The Gathering, featuring control over creatures on the battlefield. Its closest relative could be seen in Crystal Shard, which requires either a mana or a bounced blue card to return a creature to its owner’s hand. While Crystal Shard allows for some savings if you’re running blue, Erratic Portal’s constant four mana activation regardless of creature color lends itself to a wider range of deck strategies without color restrictions.

Analogous in effect, we find the Voyager Staff, albeit a single-use item, cheaper, and without the control of immediate bounce-back provided by the Portal. Moreover, Temporal Adept offers a creature-based repeatable bouncing effect, which, akin to Erratic Portal, can be utilized at the player’s discretion. However, the Adept requires a substantial investment in blue mana, restricting its use to decks heavy in blue mana resources unlike the color-agnostic Erratic Portal.

When considering the balance between cost, flexibility, and utility, Erratic Portal emerges as a highly versatile tool in player’s decks, accommodating a wide array of strategies and making it a staple for those wanting the power to manipulate the board state at will.

Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Voyager Staff - MTG Card versions
Temporal Adept - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Voyager Staff - MTG Card versions
Temporal Adept - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Erratic Portal by color, type and mana cost

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Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Jade Statue - MTG Card versions
Mightstone - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Rackling - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Lich's Tomb - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Synod Centurion - MTG Card versions
Jade Idol - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Erratic Portal allows players to return creatures to their hand, effectively safeguarding key creatures from removal and potentially reusing enter-the-battlefield (ETB) abilities for continued value.

Resource Acceleration: By bouncing creatures with mana-producing abilities or cost-reducing effects, players can efficiently recycle these functions to ramp up their resources and gain a competitive edge on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react dynamically to threats or strategies during any part of the game, optimizing the timing of creature retrieval for strategic defenses or offensive plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside is the necessity to return a creature to its owner’s hand, which could be detrimental when aiming to maintain board presence or when the returned creature has beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects.

Specific Mana Cost: Erratic Portal requires a generic mana to activate; however, in a mana-tight situation, this cost can be restrictive, particularly when you need to prioritize your mana distribution for spells and abilities with higher impact.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Initially playing Erratic Portal demands a commitment of four mana, which is significant, especially in the earlier phases of the game where establishing a board presence is typically more crucial than having access to its ability.


Reasons to Include Erratic Portal in Your Collection

Versatility: Erratic Portal is a utility relic that offers flexibility, fitting snugly into a wide array of decks. Its ability to return creatures to a player’s hand can save key pieces from removal or reuse enter-the-battlefield effects.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this piece enables infinite combos by continually recasting creatures for additional effects or generating a loop with cards having cost-reduction abilities, making it a linchpin in many intricate strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where board control and tempo play are crucial, Erratic Portal allows players to maintain momentum while disrupting opponents’ carefully laid plans.


How to beat

Erratic Portal presents an interesting challenge in MTG with its ability to return creatures to their owner’s hand. This can be disruptive, but there are several strategies to counter it. Employing cheap creatures with beneficial enter the battlefield effects can turn the Portal’s ability into an advantage for you. On the other side, running cards that limit the number of spells a player can cast each turn can neutralize the Portal’s effectiveness by constraining your opponent’s ability to replay creatures.

Targeted removal or artifact destruction spells are also effective means to directly remove Erratic Portal from the battlefield. Consider incorporating cards like Naturalize or Disenchant, which can handle problematic artifacts with ease. Lastly, applying pressure with a fast-paced aggro deck can overwhelm an opponent relying on the Portal for control, limiting the time they have to make use of its abilities. By assessing your deck’s strengths and adapting your play style, you can mitigate the impact of Erratic Portal and maintain the upper hand in your games.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Erratic Portal MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Magic Online Promos, 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 Erratic Portal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Erratic Portal Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 1321997NormalBlackJohn Matson
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 624212015NormalBlackIoan Dumitrescu
32015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 2222015NormalBlackJohn Matson
42020-09-26The ListPLST EXO-1321997NormalBlackJohn Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Erratic Portal has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal