Illusion

Illusion is a creature type used for cards that depict incorporeal beings that are manifestations of pure thought and will, often aligned with blue mana.

Description

As the existence of Illusions is often based on the manipulation of mind magic, their attributes are variable. As they are immaterial, some may be used to attack through an enemy's defenses. However, many are at such odds with reality, direct contact with the material world breaks their spell and causes them to vanish or be destroyed. This is seen in their "Skulking" ability (When ~ becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it). More recent Illusions are only vulnerable to spells, not to abilties.

The first creatures to bear the type were Illusionary Presence and Illusionary Forces in Ice Age, though the Psionic Entity from Legends was later issued errata to become an Illusion as well. More than sixty Illusions have been printed, so far. They typically have flying, shadow or some other kind of evasion. The default race for llusions seems to be human, which is never mentioned in the type line while other creature types are.

Notable Illusions

• Cromat
• Ertai's Familiar
• Jace's Phantasm
• Mistform Ultimus

Trivia

• Phobian Phantasm, Glaze Fiend and Phantasmal Fiend are the only mono black Illusions.
• Illusory Demon and Cromat are the only multicolored Illusions.
• The enchantment Halcyon Glaze can become an 4/4 Illusion creature with Flying
• The instant Dance of the Skywise changes creatures into 4/4 blue dragon illusions.

Illusion tokens

Token Name	Color	Type Line	P/T	Text Box	Source	Printings
Illusion	Blue	Creature — Illusion	0/2	Whenever this creature blocks a creature, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.	Mesmerizing Benthid
	Blue	Creature — Illusion	1/1	Flying	Meloku the Clouded Mirror Moonblade Shinobi
	Blue	Creature — Illusion	1/1	This creature gets +1/+0 for each other Illusion you control.	Minn, Wily Illusionist
	Blue	Creature — Illusion	2/2		Summoner's Bane
	Blue	Creature — Illusion	2/2	When this creature becomes the target of a spell, sacrifice it.	Jace, Cunning Castaway
	Blue	Creature — Illusion	X/X		Inscription of Insight Skyclave Apparition
Bird Illusion	Blue	Creature — Bird Illusion	1/1	Flying	Murmuring Mystic
Dog Illusion	Blue	Creature — Dog Illusion	*/*	This creature's power and toughness are each equal to twice the number of cards in your hand.	Mordenkainen
Dragon Illusion	Red	Creature — Dragon Illusion	X/X	Flying, Haste	Manaform Hellkite
Labyrinth Guardian	White	Creature — Zombie Illusion Warrior	2/3	Whenever Labyrinth Guardian becomes the target of a spell, sacrifice it.	Labyrinth Guardian

Creature Update

In the Grand Creature Type Update the creature types Entity (Psionic Entity), Mistfolk (Mistfolk) and Phantasm (for example Phantasmal Mount) were changed into Illusion.