Show and Tell

Description

Show and Tell, card number 96 in the 1998 Urza's Saga expansion, is a sorcery card that offers a unique interaction with the game board. Created by artist Jeff Laubenstein, this card requires a mana cost of two generic and one blue mana to cast. It stands out in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game for its ability to bypass the usual stack-based resolution order for certain permanents. The card's effect allows each player to put an artifact, creature, enchantment, or land card from their hand directly onto the battlefield. This mechanic creates immediate board presence, allowing players to deploy powerful assets before their opponent can react. The flavor text, "At the academy, 'show and tell' too often becomes 'run and hide,'" hints at the chaotic nature of sharing one's most potent resources with an opponent. Collectors often seek out Show and Tell for its historical significance within the Urza's Saga set. As a rare card, it represents a distinct era of design where complex interactions were balanced around direct board manipulation. The card's blue color identity and three mana value make it a notable inclusion in decks focused on rapid deployment. Its enduring popularity in the collector community is a testament to its clever design and memorable effect. Show and Tell remains a fascinating piece of Magic: The Gathering history, illustrating the creative directions the game took during the late 1990s.