Quick Answer

Startling Development is a common Instant from IKO (IKO) costing {1}{U}. Current price: $0.04 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Startling Development MTG card

Startling Development

Instant

Card Text

Until end of turn, target creature becomes a blue Serpent with base power and toughness 4/4. Cycling {1} ({1}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Remarkably, dinner continued with no further interruptions.

Card Stats

common CMC: 2.0 IKO IKO 🎨 Simon Dominic
Cycling

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.04
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.15
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.06
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.19
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Pioneer Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (2 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Startling Development? Basics

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

Its ability reads: "Until end of turn, target creature becomes a blue Serpent with base power and toughness 4/4. Cycling {1} ({1}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)"

How much mana does Startling Development cost to cast? Basics

Startling Development has a mana cost of {1}{U}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U 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.

Startling Development's mana cost of {1}{U} 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.

Startling Development 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.

Startling Development's current oracle text is: "Until end of turn, target creature becomes a blue Serpent with base power and toughness 4/4. Cycling {1} ({1}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)"

What is the current price of Startling Development? Pricing

The current market price for Startling Development is approximately $0.04 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.15 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.06 EUR.

Where can I buy Startling Development? Pricing

You can purchase Startling Development 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.

Startling Development normal: $0.04 | foil: $0.15

Is Startling Development legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Startling Development in Standard is not available.

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

Is Startling Development legal in Modern? Legality

Startling Development is Legal in Modern format.

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

Is Startling Development legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Startling Development 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 Startling Development legal in Pioneer? Legality

Startling Development is Legal in Pioneer format.

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

Is Startling Development legal in Legacy? Legality

Startling Development is Legal in Legacy format.

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

Is Startling Development legal in Vintage? Legality

Startling Development 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 Startling Development legal in Pauper? Legality

Startling Development is Legal in Pauper format.

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 Startling Development from? Details

This printing of Startling Development is from IKO (IKO), with collector number 68.

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

What is Startling Development's rarity? Details

Startling Development is a common card in IKO.

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

Who illustrated Startling Development? Details

Startling Development was illustrated by Simon Dominic.

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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