A substitute card, used in place of a genuine Magic: The Gathering card which doubles the number of counters placed on permanents one controls and the number of tokens one creates, can offer a means to playtest strategies before acquiring the authentic card. This applies especially when the genuine card is expensive or difficult to obtain. For example, using this substitution allows a player to assess the impact of increased planeswalker loyalty counters or the proliferation of creatures with significant token-generating abilities before committing to a purchase.
The utility of such a replacement lies in its capacity to facilitate informed deck-building and strategic planning within the constraints of budget or availability. Historically, players have employed this method to explore various card interactions and deck archetypes without incurring substantial financial risk. This approach has proved particularly useful for players participating in casual formats or preliminary tournament testing, enabling the refinement of strategies prior to competitive events.
