---
name: "Illusionary Forces"
mana_cost: "{3}{U}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Creature — Illusion"
colors: ["U"]
color_identity: ["U"]
keywords: ["Cumulative upkeep", "Flying"]
set: "ME1"
set_name: "Masters Edition"
collector_number: "38"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Justin Hampton"
oracle_id: "e17e3bda-75cb-47a1-9f60-f50705a46a1e"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/illusionary-forces-me1"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Illusionary Forces
- **Mana Cost:** `{3}{U}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Creature — Illusion
- **Power/Toughness:** 4/4
- **Keywords:** Cumulative upkeep, Flying

## Oracle Text
Flying
Cumulative upkeep {U} (At the beginning of your upkeep, put an age counter on this permanent, then sacrifice it unless you pay its upkeep cost for each age counter on it.)

> *"This school was founded in secret, operates in secret, and exists for the teaching of secrets. Those who would alter reality must first escape it."
—Gerda Äagesdotter, Archmage of the Unseen*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Phantasmal Forces](/printing/phantasmal-forces-5ed.md) — Creature — Illusion
2. [Illusionary Wall](/printing/illusionary-wall-ice.md) — Creature — Illusion Wall
3. [Arnjlot's Ascent](/printing/arnjlots-ascent-ice.md) — Enchantment
4. [Vexing Sphinx](/printing/vexing-sphinx-dmr.md) — Creature — Sphinx
5. [Pulsating Illusion](/printing/pulsating-illusion-ody.md) — Creature — Illusion
6. [Illusionary Presence](/printing/illusionary-presence-ice.md) — Creature — Illusion

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Masters Edition (ME1) #38
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Justin Hampton
- **Total Printings:** 7 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `legal` | Penny: `legal`