A rare 2019 Mystery Booster playtest card featuring a unique sorcery effect. This CMB1 release offers a distinctive piece of Magic: The Gathering design history.
2019 • Magic: The Gathering • Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019
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| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$1.64 | Guide Estimate | -3% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 4, 2026
The 2019 Mystery Booster Playtest Cards introduced a unique testing ground for experimental mechanics before their potential inclusion in main sets. Among these previews, How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy stands out as a rare sorcery card from the CMB1 set. This card number 93 release provides collectors with a tangible piece of Wizards of the Coast's design process, showcasing how gameplay ideas are refined through playtesting. As a Magic: The Gathering trading card game card, this piece features a mana cost of {U/R} and a mana value of 1, utilizing both red and blue colors. The card's effect allows the player to return How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy to its owner's hand, a simple yet intriguing interaction that highlights the creative freedom of playtest environments. Illustrated by Scott Van Essen, the card represents the artistic and mechanical innovation that defines the Mystery Booster series. Collectors of trading card game memorabilia often seek out playtest cards for their historical significance and rarity. The Mystery Booster Playtest Cards are not part of any standard competitive format, making them purely collectible items that appeal to enthusiasts of Magic: The Gathering lore and development. This card, with its distinct sorcery type and unique effect, serves as an excellent addition to any collection focused on experimental MTG releases. The combination of its rare status, the iconic artist, and its playful nature makes it a memorable item for hobbyists interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the game. Whether you are a long-time fan of the Izzet guild or simply appreciate unique card designs, this playtest card offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative minds behind Magic: The Gathering. It is a distinct artifact from 2019 that captures a moment of innovation in the game's history, making it a valuable topic for discussion and display among collectors.
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The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Scott Van Essen
Card Stock
English
{U/R}
Sorcery
R, U
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Return How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy to its owner's hand.
FAQ
The Mystery Booster Playtest Cards are a series of experimental cards created in 2019 to test new mechanics and designs. They were not intended for official competitive play but serve as collectible items for fans of Magic: The Gathering.
This rare sorcery card has a mana cost of {U/R} and allows the player to return it to its owner's hand. It is a simple effect that highlights the creative nature of playtest cards.
The card was illustrated by Scott Van Essen, a well-known artist in the Magic: The Gathering community. His artwork adds to the card's appeal for collectors and fans of the game's visual history.
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