Counterspell MTG Card


Counterspell turns the tide by negating crucial opponent spells, maintaining your hand’s potency. Its instant speed is a crucial aspect, allowing for strategic flexibility and control. Demanding two blue mana, it can impose limitations on multicolored deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 69 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counters target spell as it is being cast.


Cards like Counterspell

Counterspell remains a staple in Magic: The Gathering for players aiming to keep opponents in check. A standout feature is its ability to unconditionally counter any spell, serving as a critical tool for control decks. Comparatively, Mana Leak is a common alternative, offering a cheaper but conditional counter that loses effectiveness as the game progresses and opponents accrue more mana.

Another relative is Negate, which zeroes in on noncreature spells, providing a more focused but limited form of control. While it doesn’t offer the broad coverage Counterspell does, its specificity makes it potent against decks reliant on noncreature strategies. Additionally, Essence Scatter serves the opposite role, countering only creature spells. It allows for a strategic advantage in creature-heavy metas.

Ultimate versatility, though, is the domain of Counterspell, enabling it to remain a formidable and timeless piece in the player’s arsenal. It’s the quintessential response, emblematic of blue’s philosophy of denying the opponent their plays, positioning Counterspell as an enduring classic in Magic: The Gathering’s history and play.

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

Cards similar to Counterspell by color, type and mana cost

Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
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Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Response - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Updraft - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Response - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Counterspell. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
URUR PauperPauper League 2024-04-24
Dimir Death's ShadowDimir Death's Shadow ModernDeath's ShadowModern League 2024-04-25
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries PauperDimir FaeriesPauper Preliminary 2024-04-23
Domain ZooDomain Zoo ModernDomain ZooModern League 2024-04-24
Esper ControlEsper Control ModernEsper ControlModern Preliminary 2024-04-24 (1)
Murktide RegentMurktide Regent ModernMurktide RegentModern Challenge 32 2024-04-23
Dimir ControlDimir Control PauperDimir ControlPauper League 2024-04-23
Grixis ControlGrixis Control ModernGrixis ControlModern Challenge 32 2024-04-23
4c Omnath4c Omnath Modern4/5c OmnathModern League 2024-04-24
Temur ControlTemur Control ModernTemur ControlModern League 2024-04-24

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Counterspell negates an opponent’s spell completely, potentially disrupting their strategies while keeping your hand filled with more responses. This balance can shift the game in your favor, as you effectively nullify an opponent’s planned play without losing card equity on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although Counterspell doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it preserves yours by preventing costly spells from impacting your side of the field. By saving your creatures or important enchantments with a timely Counterspell, you maintain a strong board presence without additional investment.

Instant Speed: As a staple in control decks, the power of Counterspell lies in its instant speed, allowing players to react to threats in real-time. This flexibility means you can strategically pass turns with untapped mana, deterring opponents from casting their most impactful spells for fear of being countered.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: One of the drawbacks of Counterspell is its specific mana cost, demanding two blue mana. This requirement can be restrictive for multicolored decks that may have a harder time generating the needed mana consistently.

Discard Requirement: Although Counterspell does not inherently require a discard, its inclusion in a hand means one less slot for other spells or creatures. In scenarios where you need a broad variety of answers, having a hand stocked with counter magic can force difficult decisions and potential card disadvantage.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana may seem low, in the fast-paced landscape of current MTG games, having two mana available at all times to potentially cast Counterspell can put a player at a tempo disadvantage. Especially when compared to other lower-cost interaction spells that could allow the player to develop their board while still holding up a response to opponents’ actions.


Reasons to Include Counterspell in Your Collection

Versatility: Counterspell’s ability to negate any spell a player casts makes it an essential addition for decks aiming for control or those that need protection against opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: Counterspell can be the linchpin in combos that require maintaining board state, ensuring that your own combo can go off without interruption.

Meta-Relevance: Given that decks across various formats often rely on key spells to win, the ability to counter those spells with Counterspell keeps your deck competitive in a wide range of matchups.


How to beat Counterspell

Counterspell is a staple in blue decks across various Magic: The Gathering formats, renowned for its sheer power to deny opponents their most vital plays. Unlike other reactive spells, Counterspell doesn’t discriminate, capable of shutting down anything from creatures to massive game-ending sorceries. To outplay this iconic card, strategic deck building and playstyle adjustments are essential.

To effectively combat Counterspell, you can employ several tactics. First, consider baiting out the Counterspell with less critical spells, luring your opponent into a false sense of security before casting your key spells. Alternatively, playing cards with uncounterable features or utilizing spells and abilities that can’t be countered like those with Split Second ensures your plays stick. Another strategy involves overloading the blue mage’s mana by playing multiple spells in a turn, stretching their resources thin and reducing the likelihood of a successful counter. Lastly, direct disruption such as hand disruption through Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively remove Counterspell from play, clearing the path for your game plan.

While Counterspell remains a powerful and versatile tool in a blue mage’s arsenal, knowledge and careful play can turn the tides in your favor. By understanding your opponent’s potential and planning ahead, you can mitigate the impact of this classic magic card and maintain momentum in your matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the use of Counterspell in MTG can pivot matches in your favor, preventing key plays from your adversaries and preserving your own strategies. Recognizing the power of this iconic card, as a game-changer and meta-defining element, further showcases its importance. To effectively integrate this magic card into your deck, it’s important to appreciate both its strengths and its potential drawbacks when considering the overall composition and synergy of your collection. Interested in deepening your understanding of how to optimize the use of Counterspell in various formats? Follow our insights and elevate your gameplay as you navigate the strategic depths of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Counterspell MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Counterspell and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Counterspell Magic the Gathering card was released in 50 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2024-01-02. Illustrated by 16 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 541993NormalBlackMark Poole
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 551993NormalBlackMark Poole
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 551993NormalWhiteMark Poole
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 551993NormalBlackMark Poole
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 551993NormalBlackMark Poole
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 541993NormalBlackMark Poole
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 541993NormalWhiteMark Poole
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 541993NormalWhiteMark Poole
91995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 442015NormalBlackHannibal King
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 651993NormalWhiteMark Poole
111995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 651993NormalBlackMark Poole
121995-06-03Ice AgeICE 641993NormalBlackAllen Williams
131996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC shr651993NormalGoldMark Poole
141996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC ml651993NormalGoldMark Poole
151996-07-01DCI Legend MembershipPLGM 11993NormalBlackDom!
161997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 771997NormalWhiteHannibal King
171997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 pm771997NormalGoldHannibal King
181997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 jk771997NormalGoldHannibal King
191997-10-14TempestTMP 571997NormalBlackStephen Daniele
201998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb571997NormalGoldStephen Daniele
211999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 611997NormalWhiteHannibal King
221999-07-01Starter 1999S99 341997NormalWhiteHannibal King
231999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 691997NormalBlackGao Yan
241999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 151997NormalWhiteHannibal King
252000-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2000G00 11997NormalBlackDom!
262000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 tvdl61b1997NormalGoldHannibal King
272000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 61997NormalWhiteAllen Williams
282001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 67★1997NormalBlackMark Romanoski
292001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 671997NormalWhiteMark Romanoski
302001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar691997NormalGoldGao Yan
312001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ab691997NormalGoldGao Yan
322001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ab671997NormalGoldMark Romanoski
332001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar671997NormalGoldMark Romanoski
342002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 363231997NormalBlackDom!
352002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 313772003NormalBlackMark Poole
362002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912452015NormalBlackRyan Yee
372002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861482015NormalBlackZack Stella
382002-08-14World Championship Decks 2002WC02 cr671997NormalGoldMark Romanoski
392008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 441997NormalBlackAllen Williams
402008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 242003NormalBlackJason Chan
412011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 451997NormalBlackMark Poole
422014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 642015NormalBlackJason Chan
432014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 242015NormalBlackJason Chan
442015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 432015NormalBlackStephen Daniele
452016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 432015NormalBlackZack Stella
462017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 102015NormalBorderlessChase Stone
472018-03-16Masters 25A25 502015NormalBlackZack Stella
482018-06-15Signature Spellbook: JaceSS1 42015NormalBlackJason Chan
492019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3362015NormalBlackZack Stella
502019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3312015NormalBorderlessMateus Manhanini
512019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD SCTLR2015NormalBlackMark Poole
522019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1752015NormalBlackMark Poole
532020-09-26The ListPLST CMR-3952015NormalBlackZack Stella
542020-09-26The ListPLST A25-502015NormalBlackZack Stella
552020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3952015NormalBlackZack Stella
562020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6322015NormalBlackZack Stella
572021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 782015NormalBorderlessRindo Karasuba
582021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 152015NormalBorderlessOlena Richards
592021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2672015NormalBlackZack Stella
602021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3082015NormalBorderlessRyan Yee
612022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 252015NormalBlackZack Stella
622022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 542015NormalBlackMark Poole
632022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3511997NormalBlackMark Poole
642023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 452015NormalBlackZack Stella
652023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 4571997NormalBlackMark Poole
662023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2811997NormalBlackZack Stella
672023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 812015NormalBlackJason Chan
682023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6302015NormalBorderlessrk post
692024-01-02MagicFest 2024PF24 12015NormalBlackRyan Valle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Counterspell has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricBanned
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal