Disrupting Scepter MTG Card


Disrupting Scepter offers card advantage through forced opponent discards, shifting game balance subtly. Activation at instant speed provides flexibility, allowing for strategic interruptions of opponent plays. While impactful, the artifact’s mana cost competes with other significant plays in the same range.
Card setsReleased in 21 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

o3: Opponent must discard one card of his or her choice. Can only be used during your turn.


Cards like Disrupting Scepter

Disrupting Scepter holds a unique position in the arena of artifact-based hand disruption in Magic: The Gathering. It bears some resemblance to cards like Mindslaver, which also interferes with an opponent’s hand, albeit in a different way. Disrupting Scepter allows repeated use to whittle away at an opponent’s hand, providing a slow but steady advantage each turn, as long as you have the mana to spare.

Another comparable card is The Rack, which punishes opponents already low on cards rather than stripping the hand directly. The Rack deals damage based on the number of cards in the opponent’s hand, serving as a consequence of effective hand disruption strategies like those employed by Disrupting Scepter. Meanwhile, Nebuchadnezzar offers a somewhat similar effect, albeit with the ability to choose and discard specific cards from your opponent’s hand. However, this effectiveness comes with a higher activation cost and the need for a creature to remain tapped.

Each of these cards can play a strategic role in controlling the pace of the game, but Disrupting Scepter’s repeatable nature and mana flexibility can make it an enduring threat across multiple turns.

Mindslaver - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Nebuchadnezzar - MTG Card versions
Mindslaver - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Nebuchadnezzar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Disrupting Scepter by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Disrupting Scepter gives you the upper hand by forcing your opponent to discard a card of their choice, subtly tipping the balance of card availability in your favor as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce mana or accelerate resources, the Scepter disrupts your opponent’s resource planning, potentially leading to inefficient plays or resource shortages on their side of the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The power of the Scepter is in its ability to be activated at any time, provided you have the mana available. This means you can strategically decide the best moment to interrupt your opponent’s strategy, whether it’s during their draw phase, after they draw, or in response to them casting a crucial spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Disrupting Scepter forces players to spend mana and tap the artifact to make an opponent discard a card. Although this can strain an opponent’s hand, it’s only truly impactful if you can consistently apply pressure without negatively affecting your own board state and resource pool.

Specific Mana Cost: The Scepter’s activation cost requires three mana of any type, which might not seem restrictive at first. However, in a game where mana efficiency is key, dedicating three mana to make an opponent discard just one card can often be a significant setback especially considering the myriad of actions a player could execute with the same resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Not only does the Scepter itself come with a casting cost of three mana, but its activation cost also competes with numerous other impactful plays in the same mana range. Many alternatives provide immediate and more substantial effects on the game, which could make the Scepter’s inclusion in a deck less than optimal for players looking for cost-effective ways to disrupt their opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Disrupting Scepter offers a level of flexibility that can be quite advantageous. This card allows players to force opponents to discard, which can be useful in disrupting their hand and strategy regardless of what kind of deck you’re up against.

Combo Potential: Those looking to capitalize on discard mechanics will find that Disrupting Scepter syncs well with cards that benefit from an opponent’s empty hand. Utilizing this card in a synergistic setup can substantially degrade your adversary’s options.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where information and resources are king, Disrupting Scepter retains relevance. It’s particularly potent in formats where hand control can shift the tide of the game, making it a valuable tool in your arsenal when facing down a variety of decks in the current meta.


How to beat

The Disrupting Scepter is a piece of Magic: The Gathering’s history, offering a unique angle to the control game. Known for its ability to force opponents to discard cards at the cost of three mana, this card presents a challenge on the battlefield. To tackle it, consider ramping up your hand size to buffer against the card’s effects – the larger your hand, the less impact each discard has on your overall strategy. An abundant draw engine keeps your options open and your hand full.

Countering artifacts is another potent strategy. By incorporating artifact removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant into your deck, you ensure that once you draw them, you can promptly address threats like Disrupting Scepter. Utilizing instant-speed removal allows you to wait until your opponent has invested the mana in activating Scepter’s ability before you destroy it, thus wasting their turn and resources.

Ultimately, mastering the ability to rapidly recover from forced discards, or rendering the scepter useless with well-timed removals, can foil an opponent’s strategy. These methods keep you in control, maintaining robust defenses against this historic artifact and preserving your hold on the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Disrupting Scepter 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 Disrupting Scepter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Disrupting Scepter Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2421993NormalBlackDan Frazier
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2431993NormalBlackDan Frazier
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2431993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2431993NormalBlackDan Frazier
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2431993NormalBlackDan Frazier
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2451993NormalBlackDan Frazier
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2451993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2451993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3161993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3161993NormalBlackDan Frazier
111996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC et316sb1993NormalGoldDan Frazier
121997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3651997NormalWhiteStuart Griffin
131999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2811997NormalWhiteStuart Griffin
142001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 293★1997NormalBlackDarrell Riche
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2931997NormalWhiteDarrell Riche
162003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 298★2003NormalBlackStuart Griffin
172003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2982003NormalWhiteStuart Griffin
182005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 295★2003NormalBlackStuart Griffin
192005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2952003NormalWhiteStuart Griffin
202022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2382015NormalBlackDan Frazier
212022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5351997NormalBlackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Disrupting Scepter has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Disrupting Scepter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 You can use it on yourself.