Ertai's Scorn MTG Card


Grants card advantage and disrupts opponents, pivotal in control decks for maintaining hand superiority. Instant speed allows real-time response, providing flexibility and protection in crucial game moments. Can restrict deck viability due to specific mana needs and may be less efficient than lower-cost alternatives.
Ertai's Scorn - Dominaria United
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria United
Set codeDMU
Number48
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAlex Negrea

Text of card

This spell costs less to cast if an opponent cast two or more spells this turn. Counter target spell.

"You're not so special, Karn. Anything that has been assembled can be disassembled."


Cards like Ertai's Scorn

Ertai’s Scorn represents a unique twist in the counter spell family within MTG. This card offers a refreshing alternative to traditional countermagic by providing conditional cost reduction. Similar to cards like Mana Leak, Ertai’s Scorn enables players to thwart their opponent’s spell unless they pay an additional cost. While Mana Leak asks for three extra mana, Ertai’s Scorn’s cost can vary based on the number of creatures you control.

Considering Negate, another staple in the control archetype, it exclusively counters noncreature spells at a fixed mana cost, while Ertai’s Scorn has a broader range but is dependent on board presence. Furthermore, Essence Scatter is a perfect counterpart for creature-specific denial, yet it doesn’t have the scalability of Ertai’s Scorn which can benefit from a dominant battlefield stance.

Ertai’s Scorn’s unique blend of flexibility and potential for low-cost play adds a strategic layer that sets it apart from its peers. For players seeking control with a twist, this card might offer just the right blend of affordability and power to keep their opponents guessing and spells at bay.

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 Ertai's Scorn 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
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
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Dissipate - 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
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
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Dissipate - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius ControlAzorius Control StandardAzorius ControlSupported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books
Dimir ControlDimir Control StandardDimir ControlJaffer's Mini Mosh - Standard
Azorius YorionAzorius Yorion PioneerAzorius ControlNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Esper ControlEsper Control StandardEsper ControlDEN24 Sun 10:00 - Standard $5k Open 8-slot RCQ

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ertai’s Scorn has the potential to offset opponents’ strategies by counteracting their spells while also cycling into new options from your deck, making it a strategic choice for maintaining hand dominance.

Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a subtle form of resource acceleration when playing a control deck. By foiling your opponent’s key plays, you’re effectively gaining a resource advantage without expending additional cards from your hand.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Ertai’s Scorn gives you the flexibility to respond to threats in real-time. This adaptability allows you to navigate complex game states, ensuring you can protect your interests at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ertai’s Scorn necessitates that you discard a card as part of its casting conditions. In tight gameplay scenarios, where every card in your hand counts, this requirement could put you at a strategic disadvantage, potentially reducing your ability to respond to future threats or losing a crucial piece of your combo.

Specific Mana Cost: The card has a stringent mana requirement, demanding both blue and white mana. This necessity can restrict the card’s integration to decks that specifically operate on or can accommodate the Azorius color pairing, leaving mono-colored or other two-color combinations without the option to include this spell.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where mana efficiency can be paramount, Ertai’s Scorn asks for a somewhat hefty investment of three mana. Given that it’s a reactionary card, meant to disallow an opponent’s spell, players might find themselves opting for lower-cost counterspells that offer similar effects without tying up as much of their mana, allowing for more flexible and responsive play.


Reasons to Include Ertai’s Scorn in Your Collection

Versatility: Ertai’s Scorn offers a flexible response mechanism, serving as an efficient tool for control decks. It can counter key spells, which makes it effective against a variety of opponents and adaptable to numerous game situations.

Combo Potential: This countermeasure can be synergized with strategies emphasizing spell casting or abilities that trigger upon casting noncreature spells, enhancing the strategic depth of your game plan.

Meta-Relevance: As the game ebbs and flows with different strategies coming into favor, Ertai’s Scorn remains relevant. Its ability to interact with the stack makes it a lasting staple in environments where countering key spells can shift the tide of a match.


How to beat

Ertai’s Scorn is an intriguing counter spell in the world of MTG, positioned as a line of defense against your opponent’s strategies. This card requires a deep understanding of timing and board assessment to overcome. Unlike unconditional counters like Cancel, Ertai’s Scorn demands a creature you control to have attacked this turn, posing a unique challenge in deck building and tactical play.

To effectively navigate against Ertai’s Scorn, prioritizing spells during the main phase before attackers are declared can be a strategic maneuver. Additionally, maintaining a varied pace of play to disrupt the opponent’s prediction patterns may diminish the card’s utility. Employing instant-speed spells post-combat can also circumvent Ertai’s Scorn’s conditional activation, further mitigating its impact.

Ultimately, countering Ertai’s Scorn’s influences hinges on adaptability and clever sequencing of actions. Whether it’s through pre-combat spellcasting or reserving instant-speed tricks, understanding the rhythm of your opponent’s playstyle serves as the key to diminishing the efficacy of this selective counter spell.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves not only knowing your deck but also understanding every potential asset or setback a card may bring. Ertai’s Scorn is a prime example, blending strategy and situational advantages. It provides an active countermeasure and can be a game-changer in control decks. However, awareness of its discard condition and mana requirements is crucial. Whether you’re evaluating your collection or sieving through options for your next tournament, factoring in Ertai’s Scorn’s balance of risk and reward is essential. Hungry for more insights and tactics to refine your deck’s prowess? Join us, expand your MTG knowledge base, and prepare to outmaneuver your opponents with skillful play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ertai's Scorn MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Ertai's Scorn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ertai's Scorn has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 If multiple opponents have each cast two or more spells this turn, Ertai’s Scorn costs only less to cast, not less for each of them.