Time Stretch MTG Card


Gaining two extra turns with Time Stretch can decisively swing the game in your favor. Time Stretch’s high mana cost demands a dedicated deck strategy to utilize effectively. Counterspells and proactive strategies are essential to negate Time Stretch’s impact.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Target player takes two extra turns after this one.

There's lots of time like the present.


Cards like Time Stretch

Time Stretch is an iconic spell that stands out in the realm of turn manipulation in Magic: The Gathering. Matching up against this card, we can look at cards like Time Warp, which also grants an extra turn to the player. However, Time Stretch’s effect is doubled, offering not one, but two additional turns, which can be a game-deciding advantage. Time Warp’s single extra turn seems modest in comparison, despite its lower mana cost.

Examining another peer, Temporal Manipulation plays a similar role, allowing the casting of an additional turn, but like Time Warp, it pales in contrast to Time Stretch’s powerful impact of two turns. Then there’s Capture of Jingzhou, with an effect mirroring Time Warp, and although it matches the category, the scarcity and historical significance add a layer of prestige to its presence in the game.

Evaluating these options, Time Stretch clearly holds a unique position among extra turn spells in Magic: The Gathering. The formidable ability to take two consecutive turns can catapult a player into a significant lead, making Time Stretch a critical card in strategies built around maximizing the potential of each turn taken.

Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Temporal Manipulation - MTG Card versions
Capture of Jingzhou - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Temporal Manipulation - MTG Card versions
Capture of Jingzhou - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Time Stretch by color, type and mana cost

Sway of the Stars - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dominion - MTG Card versions
Commit // Memory - MTG Card versions
Sway of the Stars - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dominion - MTG Card versions
Commit // Memory - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you cast Time Stretch, granting two extra turns translates into significant card advantage. The opportunity to draw additional cards across those turns can snowball into overwhelming dominance on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Time Stretch doesn’t directly accelerate resources, but by giving you two consecutive turns, it effectively doubles your mana access over those turns without giving opponents a chance to react. This can allow for a rapid deployment of your strategy or development of your board state unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Though Time Stretch itself is a sorcery, the advantage gained can be compounded if played after instant-speed setup spells in the previous turn cycle. Casting it at the right moment, when you can ensure the safety of your strategy, paves the way for game-winning maneuvers in the subsequent turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Time Stretch doesn’t inherently require a discard, playing such a powerful card often forces a player to make tough decisions about what to keep in their hand, possibly discarding other valuable spells or resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Time Stretch comes with a demanding color commitment of two blue mana. This specificity can be challenging for multicolor decks to meet, especially under pressure or when mana fixing resources are scarce.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of ten mana, Time Stretch is one of the more mana-intensive spells. This higher investment can be a significant drawback in faster games where efficiency is key to victory.


Reasons to Include Time Stretch in Your Collection

Versatility: Time Stretch offers a unique advantage by granting two additional turns consecutively, which can be pivotal in a variety of deck strategies, including control and combo builds.

Combo Potential: In decks designed to exploit extra turns, Time Stretch becomes a cornerstone card, enabling players to set up game-winning sequences. It synergizes with effects that copy spells or recur cards from the graveyard, amplifying its impact dramatically.

Meta-Relevance: Against slower, more deliberate metagames, Time Stretch shines by allowing players to outpace opponents with the extra turns it provides, making it a potent card to have in one’s arsenal.


How to Beat Time Stretch

Time Stretch is a powerful card that offers a player two additional turns, a benefit that, if not managed, can tilt the game heavily in their favor. Despite its potential for gameplay dominance, there are strategies to counter it effectively. The key is to be proactive; you’ll want to have counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto ready. These cards allow you to directly counter Time Stretch as it’s cast, ensuring it never resolves and the extra turns are never gained.

Another approach is to use discard effects to remove Time Stretch from an opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast it. Thoughtseize and Duress are prime examples of spells that can proactively disrupt this strategy. If the spell does make it to the stack, cards like Summary Dismissal can end the threat by countering all spells and abilities on the stack, including Time Stretch.

Lastly, if Time Stretch is successfully cast, ensure to solidify your defenses and prepare for the onslaught. Board wipes or removal spells may help weather the storm of multiple turns. Always remember: understanding your opponent’s strategy and keeping your answers ready is key to overcoming cards with game-changing abilities like Time Stretch.


BurnMana Recommendations

Magic is about foresight and strategy, imagining not just the move ahead but several turns into the game. Time Stretch embodies this with its potential to shape the course of play. Whether you’re leveraging card advantage, amplifying combative sequences, or simply chasing the thrill of bending time in MTG, mastering this card’s potential is crucial for any serious player. Consider the counters, the mana cost, and the deck synergy as you refine your collection. Dive deeper with us into the intricacies of advanced play and discover how a card like Time Stretch can be the linchpin in crafting your ultimate deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Time Stretch MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Tenth Edition, 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 Time Stretch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Time Stretch Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 1081997NormalBlackPaolo Parente
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1182003NormalBlackMatt Cavotta
32020-09-26The ListPLST ODY-1081997NormalBlackPaolo Parente
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 4222015NormalBorderlessDermot Power
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 692015NormalBlackDominik Mayer
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2941997NormalBlackDominik Mayer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Time Stretch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal