Quick Answer

Spinal Embrace is a rare Instant from INV (INV) costing {3}{U}{U}{B}. Current price: $0.31 USD. Legal in Commander.

Spinal Embrace MTG card

Spinal Embrace

Instant

Card Text

Cast this spell only during combat. Untap target creature you don't control and gain control of it. It gains haste until end of turn. At the beginning of the next end step, sacrifice it. If you do, you gain life equal to its toughness.

Card Stats

rare CMC: 6.0 INV INV 🎨 Donato Giancola

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.31
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$7.19
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.79
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$4.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.26
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€5.31
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

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

Similar Cards

Other Printings (5 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 Spinal Embrace? Basics

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

Its ability reads: "Cast this spell only during combat. Untap target creature you don't control and gain control of it. It gains haste until end of turn. At the beginning of the next end step, sacrifice it. If you do, you gain life equal to its toughness."

How much mana does Spinal Embrace cost to cast? Basics

Spinal Embrace has a mana cost of {3}{U}{U}{B}, which equals 6.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires B, 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.

Spinal Embrace's mana cost of {3}{U}{U}{B} 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.

Spinal Embrace has a mana value of 6.0. 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.

Spinal Embrace's current oracle text is: "Cast this spell only during combat. Untap target creature you don't control and gain control of it. It gains haste until end of turn. At the beginning of the next end step, sacrifice it. If you do, you gain life equal to its toughness."

What is the current price of Spinal Embrace? Pricing

The current market price for Spinal Embrace is approximately $0.31 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $7.19 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.26 EUR.

Where can I buy Spinal Embrace? Pricing

You can purchase Spinal Embrace 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.

Spinal Embrace normal: $0.31 | foil: $7.19

Is Spinal Embrace legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Spinal Embrace in Standard is not available.

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

Is Spinal Embrace legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Spinal Embrace in Modern is not available.

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

Is Spinal Embrace legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Spinal Embrace 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 Spinal Embrace legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Spinal Embrace in Pioneer is not available.

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

Is Spinal Embrace legal in Legacy? Legality

Spinal Embrace is Legal in Legacy format.

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

Is Spinal Embrace legal in Vintage? Legality

Spinal Embrace 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 Spinal Embrace legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Spinal Embrace 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 Spinal Embrace from? Details

This printing of Spinal Embrace is from INV (INV), with collector number 276.

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

What is Spinal Embrace's rarity? Details

Spinal Embrace is a rare card in INV.

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

Who illustrated Spinal Embrace? Details

Spinal Embrace was illustrated by Donato Giancola.

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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