Force Spike MTG Card


Force Spike creates advantage by disrupting opponents’ early game plans with a single blue mana. It requires strategic play and precise timing due to its potential to waste mana if not used efficiently. This card remains a tactical asset for controlling tempo and countering pivotal early spells in matches.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target spell is countered unless its caster spends an additional o1.


Cards like Force Spike

Force Spike holds a unique place in the pantheon of counter spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares its fundamental goal with Mana Leak, which is deterring opponents from successfully casting their spells. However, Force Spike’s specific requirement for just a single unspent mana can be a more accessible option early in the game, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy from the onset.

Alongside Force Spike, Spell Pierce serves a similar purpose, targeting noncreature spells at the same low cost. The difference lies in Spell Pierce’s ability to scale better into the later stages of a game where oftentimes the critical spells worth countering tend to be noncreature spells. Meanwhile, Daze presents an alternative disruption formula, offering a free counter provided you return an Island to your hand, making it advantageous in decks less constrained by mana availability.

In essence, Force Spike shines as a tactical early-game play that can throw a wrench in early aggressive or ramp strategies. While there are other options in the MTG counter spell category, Force Spike’s simplicity and efficiency ensure it remains a relevant choice for players looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Spell Pierce - MTG Card versions
Daze - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Spell Pierce - MTG Card versions
Daze - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Force Spike by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue DelverMono-Blue Delver PauperMono-Blue DelverPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-07
URUR PauperPauper League 2024-05-02
Mono-Blue FaeriesMono-Blue Faeries PauperMono-Blue FaeriesPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-13

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Force Spike may not directly allow a player to draw cards, its ability to counter key spells does disrupt opponents’ plans. This, in turn, can lead to card advantage by forcing opponents to waste their turn and resources on a spell that you cancel for a mere one blue mana.

Resource Acceleration: Force Spike is exceptional in that it plays a significant role in tempo plays. It can set your opponent back on resources, particularly in the early game, by utilizing minimal mana investment on your part to counter their more costly spells.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Force Spike gives players the flexibility to decide the best moment to cast it. You can efficiently manage your mana, waiting to see if your opponent commits to a vital spell, and then effectively use Force Spike only when it can have the maximum impact on the game’s progression.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Force Spike doesn’t involve discarding cards from your hand, its real cost can be conceptualized as discarding the opportunity to play other spells during your opponent’s turn. This means that if the opponent does not cast a spell or plays around Force Spike by paying the additional cost, you could end up wasting valuable mana that could have been allocated to other spells or abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Force Spike requires a single blue mana to cast. This dedicated mana cost mandates the inclusion of blue sources in your deck, potentially restricting deck-building flexibility and making it a less viable option for multi-colored decks not focused on blue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Force Spike has a low initial cast cost, the effectiveness of this spell diminishes as the game progresses. In the later stages of a match, when opponnents have more lands at their disposal, the additional cost imposed by Force Spike becomes negligible, often rendering the card ineffective against more costly spells with powerful effects.


Reasons to Include Force Spike in Your Collection

Versatility: Force Spike enjoys a unique position as a low-cost countermeasure. Its ability to disrupt your opponent by countering their early-game plays with just a single blue mana makes it a versatile pick for decks aiming to maintain tempo and control.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that capitalize on opponents playing with an empty mana pool, Force Spike can serve as a tool to activate various triggers and effects within your deck, positioning it as a tactical asset in a variety of situations.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamic play of the current meta where early plays can decide the game’s direction, having Force Spike in your arsenal ensures you have an efficient response to early threats or key spells, keeping your strategy on course and often leaving opponents second-guessing their sequencing.


How to beat

Force Spike is a classic disruptive spell in Magic: The Gathering with a simple yet effective role – to thwart an opponent’s strategy by countering their early game spells unless they pay an additional one mana. This card shines brightest when you’re on the play, giving you the upper hand in the early turns by potentially setting your opponent back a whole turn, which in a fast-paced match, can be critical.

Confronting Force Spike demands strategic foresight. The trick to mitigate its impact lies in cautious play and mana management. Play around it by holding back on casting your crucial spells until you have an additional mana to spare, thereby neutralizing the threat of this one-mana counterspell. Paying attention to the number of open mana your opponent has can be a giveaway that they hold a Force Spike. Additionally, baiting it out with less important spells before leading into your game-changers can be an effective tactic.

Ultimately, respecting the power of this early game control card and adjusting your plays can ensure that Force Spike doesn’t disrupt your strategy, allowing you to maintain the flow of your own game plan without falling into the setback trap that this spell is designed to spring.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Force Spike MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fifth Edition, 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 Force Spike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Force Spike Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 581993NormalBlackBryon Wackwitz
21997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 881997NormalWhiteJohn Matson
31998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb58b1997NormalGoldBryon Wackwitz
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 76★1997NormalBlackNelson DeCastro
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 761997NormalWhiteNelson DeCastro
62002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 313952003NormalBlackBryon Wackwitz
72009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 361997NormalBlackBryon Wackwitz
82012-09-07Duel Decks: Izzet vs. GolgariDDJ 142003NormalBlackNelson DeCastro
92021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7802015NormalBlackNelson DeCastro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Force Spike has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Force Spike 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 The payment is optional.