Identify this 1995 Ice Age Magic: The Gathering card, Formation, by its card number 25 and white mana cost. A strategic Instant featuring banding mechanics for collectors.
Formation
1995 • Magic: The Gathering • Ice Age
No Listings Available
No listings available right now.
Price History
Description
Formation is a white Instant from the 1995 Ice Age expansion, cataloged as card number 25 in the set. Designed by artist Ken Meyer, Jr., this card belongs to the first major block of Magic: The Gathering, a period that defined the game's strategic depth through complex rules interactions. The card costs one generic mana and one white mana to cast, making it an accessible option for decks focused on white mana strategies. The primary utility of Formation lies in its ability to grant banding to a target creature until the end of the turn. Banding introduced unique combat rules, allowing players to group creatures together to distribute damage or block multiple attackers. This mechanic created memorable board states and tactical decisions during gameplay. Additionally, the card offers a secondary benefit by allowing the player to draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep, providing card advantage over time. For collectors, Ice Age remains a significant era in Magic history, and Formation serves as a recognizable piece of that legacy. Completing the Ice Age set requires securing every card, including this Instant, making it a valued component for serious set builders.
Have one of these to sell?
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Formation
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Ken Meyer, Jr.
Card Stock
English
{1}{W}
Instant
W
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Target creature gains banding until end of turn. (Any creatures with banding, and up to one without, can attack in a band. Bands are blocked as a group. If any creatures with banding a player controls are blocking or being blocked by a creature, that player divides that creature's combat damage, not its controller, among any of the creatures it's being blocked by or is blocking.) Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
"I have been a warrior for over four hundred years, and yet each generation of Kjeldorans teaches me new tricks. There can be no better allies." —Taaveti of Kelsinko, Elvish Hunter