Forbid MTG Card


Forbid’s buyback offers repeatable counterplay, granting strategic advantage and game control. Despite utility, its discard cost and mana specificity can limit hand flexibility and deck diversity. Having cards that mitigate or bypass Forbid’s effect is crucial for overcoming this potent control tool.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Buyback

Text of card

Buyback— Choose and discard two cards. (You may choose and discard two cards in addition to any other costs when you play this spell. If you do, put Forbid into your hand instead of your graveyard as part of the spell's effect.) Counter target spell.


Cards like Forbid

Forbid stands out as a unique counter spell in the universe of MTG. It’s often benchmarked against classics like Cancel, as both serve the fundamental purpose of countering a spell. However, Forbid carries an additional, powerful ability that allows a player to keep it in hand at the cost of discarding two other cards, offering strategic depth and resilience.

Countermand is another card that comes to mind, with a four mana cost countering a spell and forcing the caster to put the top four cards of their library into their graveyard. Although this offers a mill strategy advantage, it lacks the recurring potential that Forbid offers. There’s also Dissolve, carrying the same mana cost as Forbid but states its case with a scry ability after the counter – a solid one-shot effect but without the staying power of Forbid’s buyback feature.

Assessing these various counter spells, Forbid’s unique buyback capability certainly places it in a distinctive category. It grants control players a persistent threat against opponents’ key spells, thus holding a strategic esteem that its counterparts can’t quite match within the MTG gameplay.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Countermand - MTG Card versions
Dissolve - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Countermand - MTG Card versions
Dissolve - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Forbid by color, type and mana cost

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Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - 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
Vex - 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

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
JeffJeff Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
The RockThe Rock PremodernMisty Premodern Winter Finals
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Madness SurvivalMadness Survival PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Forbid offers the strategic benefit of countering any spell, ensuring you maintain control over the game’s flow. This powerful control tool can effectively disrupt an opponent’s strategy, potentially generating a card advantage as they lose critical resources while you preserve yours.

Resource Acceleration: While Forbid itself doesn’t directly produce mana or accelerate resources, its buyback mechanic ensures that it repeatedly returns to your hand. This repeated use can lead to an indirect form of resource acceleration by negating the need to draw into other counterspell cards, allowing you to focus your resources and deck manipulation on further advancing your board state.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Forbid at instant speed provides the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves on their turn. By waiting until the last possible moment to use Forbid, you can make informed decisions based on your opponent’s actions, ensuring that your counters are as impactful and efficient as possible.


Card Cons

Understanding the drawbacks of certain spells helps players make sophisticated deck-building decisions. Analyzing the downsides of Forbid is essential for any strategic contender in the arena of MTG.

Discard Requirement: Leveraging Forbid’s full potential necessitates pitching additional cards from your hand. This prerequisite could place you at a disadvantage when your hand is depleting and you’re clutching onto crucial late-game cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Forbid requires both blue and generic mana, thereby tethering it to decks predominantly featuring blue. This makes it less versatile for multi-colored decks struggling to meet the color-specific mana demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost requiring three, including two blue mana, it’s on the costlier side, especially when considering the additional buyback cost. There exist alternative counterspell options within MTG that might fulfill the role at a reduced mana expense, albeit without the buyback feature.

Players must weigh these factors against their deck’s strategy to determine if Forbid aligns with their tactical objectives or if its inclusion could potentially hinder their gameplay by exhausting resources that could be allocated elsewhere.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Forbid offers a unique blend of control elements that can be a game-changer in many deck builds. With the ability to essentially negate any opponent’s spell, it seamlessly slots into a variety of blue-based control or combo decks.

Combo Potential: Its potential comes alive in decks that utilize a heavy draw strategy, allowing players to continually have the resources to activate Forbid’s buyback cost and sustain a relentless defense.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where stack interaction and control are pivotal, Forbid asserts its relevance. Its power to counter key plays and maintain card advantage can swing games in your favor, especially against decks that rely on non-creature spells to win.


How to beat

Forbid is a powerful control card in Magic the Gathering, known for its unique buyback mechanic that allows a player to keep returning it to their hand by discarding two other cards. To effectively counteract this spell, a multi-pronged strategy must be employed. Firstly, ensure to apply pressure by deploying a mix of low-cost and resilient creatures to keep your opponent’s card resources low. Denying them the cards needed to activate Forbid’s buyback can gradually reduce its effectiveness.

Another approach is to utilize cards that restrict or penalize hand discard, which directly counters the buyback cost, making it more strenuous for your opponent to maintain their defense. Also, consider including spells or abilities in your deck that grant you or your spells hexproof or uncounterable abilities. This tactic ensures your key spells bypass Forbid’s initial counter and reduces the control your opponent has over the game. Lastly, keeping a vigilant eye on your opponent’s mana and being strategic about when to bait out the Forbid can ensure your important spells land when it matters most.

Overall, beating Forbid requires a careful balance of pressure and disruption, aimed at dismantling the advantages its buyback offers. Be relentless yet cunning, and the odds will shift in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the counterspell game in MTG takes strategy and Forbid is a card that can decisively shape the course of a match. It offers a reliable defense mechanism and a tactical edge when it comes to maintaining control of the board. However, to effectively integrate Forbid into your deck, it’s essential to consider the balance of its pros and cons and its fit within your overall strategy. Looking at how it compares to other spells and the unique dynamics it brings to the table, Forbid can be a crucial addition for any player favoring control tactics. We encourage you to continue exploring the nuanced art of counterplay in MTG, and if you’re interested in integrating Forbid into your deck or finding ways to outmaneuver this powerful spell, join our community for deeper insights and tips from seasoned players.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Forbid MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Forbid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Forbid Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2017-04-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 351997NormalBlackScott Kirschner
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb351997NormalGoldScott Kirschner
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360781997NormalBlackScott Kirschner
42015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 502015NormalBlackScott Kirschner
52017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 332015NormalBorderlessRichard Wright

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Forbid has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal