Quick Answer

Formation is a rare Instant from ICE (ICE) costing {1}{W}. Current price: $0.73 USD. Legal in Commander.

Formation MTG card

Formation

Instant

Card Text

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

Card Stats

rare CMC: 2.0 ICE ICE 🎨 Ken Meyer, Jr.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.73
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.59
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.65
Normal
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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Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Formation? Basics

Formation is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "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."

How much mana does Formation cost to cast? Basics

Formation has a mana cost of {1}{W}, which equals 2.0 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.

Formation's mana cost of {1}{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.

Formation has a mana value of 2.0. 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.

Formation's current oracle text is: "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."

What is the current price of Formation? Pricing

The current market price for Formation is approximately $0.73 USD on TCGPlayer.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.65 EUR.

Where can I buy Formation? Pricing

You can purchase Formation 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.

Is Formation legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Formation in Standard is not available.

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

Is Formation legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Formation in Modern is not available.

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

Is Formation legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Formation 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 Formation legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Formation in Pioneer is not available.

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

Is Formation legal in Legacy? Legality

Formation is Legal in Legacy format.

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

Is Formation legal in Vintage? Legality

Formation 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 Formation legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Formation 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 Formation from? Details

This printing of Formation is from ICE (ICE), with collector number 25.

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

What is Formation's rarity? Details

Formation is a rare card in ICE.

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

Who illustrated Formation? Details

Formation was illustrated by Ken Meyer, Jr..

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

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