Spell Swindle MTG Card


Generates Treasure tokens, providing both a counter and future mana resources. Instant speed allows surprise tactics and flexible play in matches. Challenges include its higher mana cost and color specificity.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Treasure

Text of card

Counter target spell. Create X colorless Treasure artifact tokens, where X is that spell's converted mana cost. They have ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."


Cards like Spell Swindle

Spell Swindle occupies a unique space in the realm of counter spells within MTG, offering a twist that aligns closely with the blue mana philosophy of control and cunning. It steps up the game with its ability to not only thwart your opponent’s spell but also rewards you with Treasure tokens equivalent to the countered spell’s mana cost. This characteristic is what sets Spell Swindle apart from similar counter spells like Cancel, which simply serves the purpose of negating an opponent’s spell without any additional benefits.

Contrastingly, Mana Drain, another iconic counter spell, allows you to harness the mana of the countered spell in your next main phase. While Mana Drain provides an immediate burst of mana, Spell Swindle distributes its boon throughout the game in the form of Treasure tokens. Then we have Rewind, which untaps four lands upon a successful counter, facilitating the casting of another spell in the same turn. Despite being gratis after its initial casting, Rewind lacks the resource accumulation offered by Spell Swindle.

Considering these aspects, Spell Swindle shines in scenarios that prize long-term strategy and resource accumulation, carving a niche for itself as a tactical counter spell in player decks keen on leveraging each action for maximal gain.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Drain - MTG Card versions
Rewind - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Drain - MTG Card versions
Rewind - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spell Swindle by color, type and mana cost

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Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Desertion - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Sunder - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Perplexing Test - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Spin into Myth - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spell Swindle shines in providing card advantage by generating Treasure tokens equivalent to the converted mana cost of the countered spell. This not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy by negating a key play but also sets you up for future turns by effectively banking that spell’s cost into resources you can use later.

Resource Acceleration: The Treasure tokens produced act as a resource acceleration mechanism, allowing you to ramp up your mana for forthcoming turns. This is particularly impactful in decks that aim to cast high-cost spells ahead of schedule or require a diverse spread of mana colors.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Spell Swindle provides the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves. It allows players to maintain a strategic posture, keeping mana open for other responses and maximizing the element of surprise. The timing of this counter can often turn the tide of a game, making it a tactical choice in any situation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Spell Swindle doesn’t require a discard directly, it can result in a hand size increase leading to an end-of-turn discard if exceeding the card limit, indirectly forcing a discard of potentially valuable cards to comply with hand size limits.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost involves two blue mana, making it restrictive for multicolored decks that might struggle with mana fixing, thus limiting the card’s flexibility in various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana investment, including two that are color-specific, Spell Swindle enters the battlefield on the higher end of the mana spectrum for counter-spells, making early game utilization challenging and competitive play with lower-cost alternatives.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spell Swindle offers flexibility in control decks, capable of countering crucial spells while reinforcing your mana pool for future turns.

Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with strategies that exploit the creation of Treasure tokens, potentially accelerating big plays or enabling intricate combos with artifact synergies.

Meta-Relevance: This card can be a game-changer in a meta heavy on impactful spells, turning your opponent’s momentum into a significant advantage for yourself.


How to beat

Incisive tactics are key when facing off against the strategic prowess of Spell Swindle in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This counteractive spell not only stops your spell in its tracks but also endows your opponent with Treasure tokens equivalent to the spell’s converted mana cost. A way to outwit this card lies in baiting it out with a less critical spell, tempting your opponent to deplete their resources on a maneuver with relatively low impact on your overall strategy.

One could also employ instants with split-second to circumvent Spell Swindle’s interference, ensuring your spell’s resolution without the threat of being outmaneuvered. Additionally, crafting your deck with low-cost spells can minimize the benefit your opponent gains from the Treasure tokens, as their advantage diminishes with lower mana costs. Alternatively, deploying spells that cannot be countered or utilizing abilities that strip your opponent of the chance to play spells can be equally formidable strategies.

Negotiating the tightrope of strategy against Spell Swindle, with its imposing presence and potential for resource generation, requires thoughtful play and a careful weighing of when to apply pressure and when to conserve resources.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricacies of MTG means not only building powerful decks but also being strategic in your gameplay. Spell Swindle can be a cornerstone in control strategies, turning the tide by transforming enemy spells into your own treasure trove of resources. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of outmaneuvering opponents and striving for peak performance in your matches, consider this card’s potential in your lineup. Harness its ability to swing momentum in your favor and explore new deck synergies. Elevate your game with Spell Swindle and join the ranks of players who make every countermagic an opportunity for victory. Learn more about integrating Spell Swindle into your deck and refining your tactics with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spell Swindle MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Ixalan Promos, 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 Spell Swindle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spell Swindle Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 822015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
22017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 82p2015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
32017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 82s2015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
42020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-822015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
52023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2372015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spell Swindle has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-09-29 For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value.
2017-09-29 You may target a spell that can't be countered. When Spell Swindle resolves, the target spell will be unaffected, but you'll still get Treasures.