Rakshasa's Disdain MTG Card


Turns past plays into strength by using graveyard cards to empower its counterspell ability. Instant speed allows for flexible and timely negation of noncreature threats during play. Demands a specific mana type and discard, which can be limiting in multicolor decks.
Rakshasa's Disdain - Fate Reforged
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2015-01-23
Set symbol
Set nameFate Reforged
Set codeFRF
Number45
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySeb McKinnon

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays for each card in your graveyard.

"Every failure, every death only makes my strength greater."


Cards like Rakshasa's Disdain

Rakshasa’s Disdain stands as a niche player in the Magic: The Gathering counterspell arsenal. Much like traditional counters such as Cancel, it offers players the ability to thwart their opponent’s spells. While Cancel demands a steadfast three mana of any type, Rakshasa’s Disdain adds a layer of versatility with its mana cost that becomes more effective as the game progresses, owing to its delve mechanic which allows you to exile cards from your graveyard to help pay for it.

Comparing it to Logic Knot, another counterspell with delve, Rakshasa’s Disdain trades off immediacy for potentially greater cost efficiency as the game advances and graveyards fill up. On the other hand, Negate stands in stark contrast, offering a straightforward two-mana cost and the ability to counter noncreature spells only, without delve but with undisputed consistency.

Each card has its place within the MTG metagame, and one’s preference might swing based on their deck’s graveyard interaction. Despite having competition, Rakshasa’s Disdain presents itself as a strategic choice in decks that can quickly fill the graveyard, giving players who can smartly manage their resources an edge in spell counters.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Logic Knot - MTG Card versions
Negate - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Logic Knot - MTG Card versions
Negate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rakshasa's Disdain 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rakshasa’s Disdain has the capability to counter any noncreature spell, preventing your opponent from gaining their own card advantage. This strategic control keeps your hand more influential over the course of the game.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct tool for resource acceleration, Rakshasa’s Disdain utilizes your graveyard as a means of powering up its countermagic, transforming resources from past plays into current strategic advantages without additional mana cost.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, Rakshasa’s Disdain provides the flexibility to manage threats at crucial moments, fully optimizing reactionary plays. It gives players the liberty to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield while maintaining the upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Rakshasa’s Disdain requires you to have at least one other nonland card in hand to discard, which can be a strategic setback, especially if your hand is already depleted from earlier plays.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost demands a specific mana arrangement, including one blue mana, which could be restrictive and not always preferable for decks that run multiple colors or rely on a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost for what it accomplishes, Rakshasa’s Disdain might be less favorable compared to other counterspells that are more cost-effective or offer additional benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rakshasa’s Disdain is well suited for control decks that are designed to disrupt opponent strategies. Its ability to count the number of cards in your graveyard adds a layer of flexibility, allowing it to grow more potent as the game progresses.

Combo Potential: This card excels in a deck with a self-mill theme or one that fills the graveyard with cards rapidly for other synergistic interactions, possibly turning it into a powerful countermeasure when you most need it.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that rely on specific noncreature spells to seize victory, Rakshasa’s Disdain can be a cost-effective tool to keep your opponents at bay, especially in a meta with numerous key spells to target.


How to beat

Rakshasa’s Disdain is a card that can be a real thorn in a player’s side, especially when you’re launching an important spell and find it countered unexpectedly. This blue instant is a utility spell that can stop opponents in their tracks, but like any piece of the MTG puzzle, it’s not invincible.

To effectively dispatch Rakshasa’s Disdain, timing and strategy are of the essence. Its mana cost is tied to the number of creatures you control, so one approach is to minimize the number of creatures on your battlefield when casting pivotal spells, reducing its counter potential. Alternatively, baiting out the Disdain with less crucial spells before committing your game-changers could shield your key plays from disruption. Lastly, consider incorporating spells or abilities into your deck that can’t be countered, ensuring that your most vital moves remain unchallenged, weaving your strategy around this nuance. By understanding Rakshasa’s Disdain and the conditions it thrives under, you can turn the tide, shifting the balance from disruption to permission and pressing on to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rakshasa's Disdain MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Rakshasa's Disdain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rakshasa's Disdain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-24 Count the number of cards in your graveyard as Rakshasa’s Disdain resolves to determine how much mana the controller of the target spell must pay to avoid the spell being countered. Rakshasa’s Disdain is still on the stack at this time and won’t count toward this number.