Convolute MTG Card


Convolute counters key spells, forcing opponents to alter their tempo and strategy. While not a direct mana booster, it’s strategic in allowing efficient resource allocation. Its instant speed makes it valuable for control and unexpected plays in MTG.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays .

The words came to the sorcerer's lips but refused to budge any further.


Cards like Convolute

Convolute holds its own within the realm of counter magic in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is especially prominent when compared to spells like Cancel, which also functions by requiring three mana to counter any spell a player casts. Nevertheless, where Convolute diverges is through its conditional nature—the spell must be countered unless its caster can pay four mana. This adds a layer of strategy, potentially exploiting an opponent’s tapped-out state.

In parallel, Mana Leak stands as a recognizable alternative. Like Convolute, it challenges the opponent to pay extra mana—three in this case—or have their spell countered. With a lesser two-mana cost, it’s more versatile early in the game but slightly less demanding than Convolute’s four-mana hurdle. Essence Scatter also enters the discussion, pinpointing its countering effect solely on creature spells while doing so with only two mana. This specificity can be a double-edged sword, advantageous against creature-heavy decks but restrictive otherwise.

In essence, when surveying the broad scope of countermagic cards available, Convolute strikes a balance between cost and effect, offering a tactical edge in moments where mana conservation is crucial for both players.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Essence Scatter - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Essence Scatter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Convolute by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Convolute, the primary advantage isn’t directly gaining cards but rather disrupting your opponent’s strategy. By countering a crucial spell, you maintain a card quality lead while potentially causing your opponent to lose tempo and resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Convolute doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense of producing mana, what it offers is a form of strategic acceleration. By keeping only three mana open to potentially counter a spell, you can efficiently allocate the rest of your resources elsewhere, potentially allowing for a pivotal play on your next turn.

Instant Speed: The power of Convolute also lies in its speed. As an instant, it gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This unpredictability can make your opponent second-guess their plays, which could lead to them not utilizing their mana as effectively or possibly walking into a trap you’ve set with Convolute on standby.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Convolute comes with a specific mana requirement that can be an obstacle for decks that run multiple colors, as it necessitates having both blue mana and additional generic mana available.

Discard Requirement: Although Convolute does not directly require discarding, the need to hold up three mana to potentially counter a spell can lead to situations where you’re discarding at the end of your opponent’s turn because you couldn’t use your mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where timing and mana efficiency are key, Convolute’s three-mana cost for a conditional counter can be restrictive. Players might opt for lower cost counters that can disrupt the opponent’s play more efficiently.


Reasons to Include Convolute in Your Collection

Versatility: Convolute’s straightforward counter ability is useful in nearly any blue-centered control deck. Ensuring that you have ways to interfere with an opponent’s spell at a critical moment can be crucial in maintaining the upper hand.

Combo Potential: While Convolute is a simple counter spell, its mere presence on the battlefield can disincentivize opponents from casting high-impact spells unless they have the mana to pay the tax, potentially delaying their game plan and giving you room for strategic plays or combos.

Meta-Relevance: Convolute shines in metas where players are likely to tap out for crucial spells. In those instances, the card’s modest mana cost allows for budget-friendly countering, keeping the tempo in your favor and making it a good addition to your deck to adapt to fluctuating meta dynamics.


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How to beat

Convolute is a card that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by countering their crucial spells unless they pay an additional 4 mana. The key to overcoming Convolute is through careful mana management and playing around the card’s limitations. Ensure you’re aware of the mana your opponent leaves open during their turn. If you suspect they have Convolute in hand, you can bait it out by playing less essential spells first or wait until you have enough mana to pay the counter cost. Additionally, you can take advantage of spells that can’t be countered or employ the strategy of playing multiple spells in a single turn, overwhelming their ability to counter each one. Lastly, using instant-speed spells at the end of your opponent’s turn can force them to use Convolute when it’s less impactful, ensuring your more critical spells go through during your turn.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Convolute MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Eldritch Moon, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Convolute and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Convolute Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 412003NormalBlackDany Orizio
22016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 532015NormalBlackViktor Titov
32019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 552015NormalBlackViktor Titov
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3322015NormalBlackViktor Titov
52020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 452015NormalBlackJason Rainville
62020-09-26The ListPLST EMN-532015NormalBlackViktor Titov
72023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 572015NormalBlackViktor Titov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Convolute has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal