Quick Answer

Balancing Act is a rare Sorcery from ODY (ODY) costing {2}{W}{W}. Current price: $1.13 USD. Legal in Commander.

Balancing Act MTG card

Balancing Act

Sorcery

Card Text

Each player chooses a number of permanents they control equal to the number of permanents controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Each player discards cards the same way.

Card Stats

rare CMC: 4.0 ODY ODY 🎨 Scott M. Fischer

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$1.13
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$10.99
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$2.49
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$15.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€1.03
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€11.72
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Predh Legal
Premodern Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Balancing Act? Basics

Balancing Act is a Sorcery card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Each player chooses a number of permanents they control equal to the number of permanents controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Each player discards cards the same way."

How much mana does Balancing Act cost to cast? Basics

Balancing Act has a mana cost of {2}{W}{W}, which equals 4.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires W mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Balancing Act's mana cost of {2}{W}{W} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Balancing Act has a mana value of 4.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Balancing Act's current oracle text is: "Each player chooses a number of permanents they control equal to the number of permanents controlled by the player who controls the fewest, then sacrifices the rest. Each player discards cards the same way."

What is the current price of Balancing Act? Pricing

The current market price for Balancing Act is approximately $1.13 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $10.99 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €1.03 EUR.

Where can I buy Balancing Act? Pricing

You can purchase Balancing Act from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Balancing Act normal: $1.13 | foil: $10.99

Is Balancing Act legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Balancing Act in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Balancing Act legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Balancing Act in Modern is not available.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Balancing Act legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Balancing Act is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Balancing Act legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Balancing Act in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Balancing Act legal in Legacy? Legality

Balancing Act is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Balancing Act legal in Vintage? Legality

Balancing Act is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Balancing Act legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Balancing Act in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Balancing Act from? Details

This printing of Balancing Act is from ODY (ODY), with collector number 10.

Balancing Act may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Balancing Act's rarity? Details

Balancing Act is a rare card in ODY.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Balancing Act? Details

Balancing Act was illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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