Willbender MTG Card


Offers strategic control by redirecting crucial spells or abilities during pivotal moments of gameplay. Flexible mana usage with morph mechanic facilitates unpredictable and dynamic board states. Instant speed morph flip poses a hidden threat, forcing opponents to play cautiously.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Morph
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Willbender is turned face up, change the target of target spell or ability with a single target.


Cards like Willbender

Willbender, a unique card in Magic the Gathering’s array of versatile creatures, stands out as a Morph card. Notably, it compares closely to cards like Mischievous Quanar, which can also be played face-down and turned face-up for a surprise effect. However, Willbender distinguishes itself by specializing in changing the target of spells or abilities, a tactician’s dream for altering the course of the game.

In the same category, we find creatures like Voidmage Apprentice that also offer counterplay when flipped, but unlike Willbender, they counter a spell entirely rather than redirecting it. Equally interest-peaking is the Vesuvan Shapeshifter, which takes adaptation a step further by copying other creatures altogether, not merely their abilities or impacts. This reflection of strategy is invaluable for players seeking to mimic and manipulate their opponent’s moves.

When it comes to assessing the stealth and surprise factors that Morph cards like Willbender bring to the table, its ability to single-handedly swerve the momentum of a duel is unmatchable, positioning it as a secret weapon in any MTG player’s deck.

Mischievous Quanar - MTG Card versions
Voidmage Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Quanar - MTG Card versions
Voidmage Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Willbender by color, type and mana cost

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Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Sage - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Willbender offers a unique blend of control and surprise to outmaneuver opponents. By taking their game-changing spell or ability and subtly redirecting it away at a critical moment, it can create a swing in card effectiveness, often acting as a virtual two-for-one.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Willbender itself does not directly generate mana or accelerate resources, its morph mechanic means it can be played face down for a generic mana cost. This allows for greater flexibility in utilizing mana resources, leaving open the possibility to cast other spells or activate abilities that advance your board state.

Instant Speed: The ability to flip Willbender at instant speed is a significant advantage. It allows you to pass your turn with mana unspent, keeping your opponent guessing. You can respond to their spells and abilities on their turn, catching them off guard and potentially disrupting their strategic plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Morph cards like Willbender require you to set them face down before using their abilities, which means keeping mana open and potentially risking a strategic disadvantage without immediate payoffs.

Specific Mana Cost: Willbender’s face-up activation requires both blue mana and generic mana, which can be cumbersome for multi-color decks not heavily invested in blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Willbender’s surprise factor and utility, its total morph cost of three mana followed by its activation cost of two mana can be quite steep, especially since there are other cards with lower cost alternatives for redirecting spells or abilities.


Reasons to Include Willbender in Your Collection

Versatility: Willbender is known for its utility in a multitude of decks, primarily because of its Morph ability that allows it to be played face down and turned up at the right moment. This flexibility can surprise opponents and disrupt their strategies effectively.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to change the target of spells or abilities can be combined with cards that have harmful effects, turning a potential threat to yourself into a weapon against your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where targeted spells and abilities are prevalent, having a Willbender ready can deter opponents from casting their most impactful spells or can misdirect those effects for beneficial outcomes, making it a wise choice for adaptation to various competitive environments.


How to beat Willbender

Willbender, known for its covert power in changing the course of spells and abilities, is a formidable utility creature within the world of Magic: The Gathering. This mystic creature operates under the guise of a Morph card, capable of silently lurking face down until the right moment to reveal itself and redirect an unsuspecting spell or ability to a new target.

Overcoming the deceptive Willbender requires tactical play. One strategy is to bait out the Willbender’s ability with a less critical spell before casting something more vital. Keeping an eye out for available mana and potential face-down creatures is also key; Willbender can’t activate its ability when the player controlling it is tapped out. Additionally, instant-speed removal can dispose of Willbender before its Morph ability is activated. Counter spells can also be effective, but timing is crucial to avoid the change of target.

Ultimately, understanding the typical play patterns of your opponent and maintaining a presence of instants that can either remove or counter key cards goes a long way in neutralizing the threat of Willbender. By staying vigilant and ready to react, you can diminish the impact of this shape-shifting adversary on your quest to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of surprise is essential in MTG, and Willbender exemplifies this with its ability to turn the tide of a match when least expected. Its morphing trickery makes it a gem for control players who thrive on cunning and flexibility. As you build your collection, consider the advantage of having this shape-shifter up your sleeve, ready to outwit your opponents with a well-timed redirection. Continue to expand your MTG skills and arsenal at BurnMana, where we delve into the strategies that make each card not just a piece in the game, but a pivot for victory. Enhance your gameplay with Willbender and let us guide you through the labyrinth of MTG’s endless possibilities.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Willbender Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 362582003NormalBlackEric Peterson
22003-02-03LegionsLGN 581997NormalBlackEric Peterson
32004-01-01Friday Night Magic 2004F04 12003NormalBlackEric Peterson
42006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 361997NormalBlackEric Peterson
52008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 62003NormalBlackEric Peterson
62010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A331997NormalBlackEric Peterson
72014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 472015NormalBlackEric Peterson
82014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1312015NormalBlackEric Peterson
92014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 62015NormalBlackEric Peterson
102018-03-16Masters 25A25 782015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
112019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1022015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Willbender has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Willbender 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 The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield.
2013-04-15 If a spell with split second is on the stack, you can still respond by turning this creature face up and targeting that spell with the trigger. This is because split second only stops players from casting spells or activating abilities, while turning a creature face up is a special action.
2018-03-16 If a spell or ability targets multiple things, you can’t target it with Willbender’s triggered ability, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.
2018-03-16 If a spell or ability targets the same player or object multiple times, you can’t target it with Willbender’s ability.
2018-03-16 You don’t choose the new target for the spell until Willbender’s triggered ability resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can’t change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn’t changed. It doesn’t matter if the original target of that spell has somehow become illegal itself.