Lapse of Certainty MTG Card


Lapse of Certainty can unexpectedly delay opponent spells, providing strategic advantage in white decks. Flexibility at instant speed enhances gameplay by allowing players to counter during the opponent’s turn. While mana-specific, Lapse of Certainty’s versatility in control decks makes it a valuable card.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on top of its owner's library instead of into that player's graveyard.

Without a connection of mind and body, magic is just an idea stuck in the head, a word on the tip of a tongue.


Cards like Lapse of Certainty

Lapse of Certainty is an interesting control spell nestled within Magic: The Gathering’s vast compendium of white spells. Like its cousin Mana Tithe, it offers the rare opportunity for white decks to counter an opponent’s spell. However, the resemblance ends there. Lapse of Certainty trades the lower cost of Mana Tithe for a more robust delaying tactic, pushing the countered spell to the top of its owner’s library rather than discarding it outright.

Another counterpart that comes to mind is Memory Lapse, a spell with a similar effect but in blue’s slice of the color pie. Memory Lapse also counters a spell, but at a lower cost, enhancing the tempo playstyle of blue decks. These comparisons draw a line between the color-specific mechanics, showcasing the unique role that Lapse of Certainty fills by providing white decks a way to temporarily thwart an opponent’s plans.

Analyzing these spells illustrates that Lapse of Certainty has earned its place in sideboards and specific deck builds seeking to disrupt key plays. It stands as a testament to white’s occasional foray into the realm of spell counters, serving a strategic niche for MTG players favoring white-based control strategies.

Mana Tithe - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Mana Tithe - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions

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Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lapse of Certainty provides a strategic upper hand by stalling your opponent’s spell, potentially disrupting their game plan and buying you an extra turn. This can allow you to draw into more resources or set up crucial plays.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana resources, Lapse of Certainty can effectively delay your opponent’s threats. This time can be critical, allowing you to develop your board presence or find the mana you need to execute your strategy.

Instant Speed: The power of playing Lapse of Certainty comes from its instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn. This level of unpredictability can be key in edging out victories, as well as maintaining the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Lapse of Certainty does not require you to discard a card, it is pertinent for MTG players to consider this aspect when looking at potential drawbacks of other cards they may pair with it.

Specific Mana Cost: Lapse of Certainty commands two white mana in its casting cost, which can restrict its use to mainly white or two-colored decks, possibly limiting its versatility when deck building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color-specific, this card may be considered costly for its temporary effect, which merely puts a target spell on top of its owner’s library rather than outright countering it.


Reasons to Include Lapse of Certainty in Your Collection

Versatility: Lapse of Certainty offers a unique twist in white control decks by providing counter spell-like disruption typically found in blue. Its ability to temporarily neutralize threats allows for flexible defensive strategies regardless of the type of opposing deck.

Combo Potential: This card fits seamlessly into Sunforger packages or decks that revive spells from the graveyard, providing repeated opportunities to surprise opponents and prevent game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: As game formats evolve, the ability to interfere with opponent strategies remains invaluable. With the prevalence of combo decks and intense stack battles, Lapse of Certainty maintains a position as a key component in the arsenal of reactive white decks looking to maintain pace within diverse metagames.


How to beat

Lapse of Certainty brings a unique twist to white’s traditional suite of control cards in Magic: The Gathering. Though traditionally cards like Mana Leak might be a more formidable opponent in the control match due to their lower casting cost, Lapse of Certainty can catch opponents off guard. This is because white decks are not commonly known for countering spells.

To navigate around Lapse of Certainty effectively, players should consider being more cautious when casting high-impact spells if their opponent has mana available and is playing white. Employing bait spells can be a smart tactic to draw out the Lapse, safeguarding more vital spells in your hand for future turns. Additionally, capitalizing on the fact that the countered spell is only delayed and not removed can be key. Patience and strategic timing in replaying the countered card on the following turn can oftentimes mitigate the disruption caused by Lapse of Certainty.

In essence, the key to beating this card lies in anticipation and adaptation. By understanding the unique position Lapse of Certainty occupies in MTG’s pantheon of control spells, players can develop strategies that minimize its impact and maintain the flow of their game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Stepping into the multi-hued world of MTG with a card like Lapse of Certainty can shift the tides of a match in your favor. Its disruptive prowess affords white decks a rare counter-spell effect, toughening your defensive game and presenting a challenge to opponents who least expect it. As you ponder the strategic incorporation of Lapse of Certainty into your collection, consider its potential to forge powerful combinations and its relevance in current metas that prize adaptability and surprise. Interested in exploring the intricate dance of timing and control that this card exemplifies? Dive into the nuances with us and refine your arsenal for the complex battles that lie ahead.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lapse of Certainty MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Lapse of Certainty and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lapse of Certainty Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Anthony Francisco.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-02-06ConfluxCON 92003NormalBlackAnthony Francisco
22020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 82003NormalBlackAnthony Francisco
32020-09-26The ListPLST CON-92003NormalBlackAnthony Francisco

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lapse of Certainty has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal