Duress MTG Card


Duress offers strategic edge by denying opponents of their noncreature threats early in the game. It impacts the game tempo, delaying opponents while advancing your strategic positioning. Crucial for preemptive play, Duress excels in sideboards and various MTG formats.
Card setsReleased in 39 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Look at target opponent's hand and choose a noncreature, nonland card there. That player discards that card.

"We decide who is worthy of our works." —Gix, Yawgmoth praetor


Cards like Duress

Duress stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as an efficient way to disrupt opponents early in the game. Its voiding grip on the noncreature, nonland cards in an opponent’s hand mirrors that of Thoughtseize, although with less versatility since Thoughtseize can pluck any card at the price of 2 life points. Duress, conversely, offers this selective disruption without a health cost, representing a safer choice for players preserving their life total.

Comparably, Inquisition of Kozilek is a robust alternative, capable of excavating cards with converted mana costs of 3 or less with no life penalty. It presents a balance between Duress’s targeted approach and Thoughtseize’s broader sweep but within a specific mana threshold. Alongside these, Despise provides a different angle, targeting creature or planeswalker cards, and suggesting a complementary strategy to Duress’s noncreature focus.

Assessing these counterparts, Duress secures a vital role within disruption tactics in Magic: The Gathering. Although it does not extend its influence to creatures or higher valued spells, its early game potential and cost efficiency make it a staple in control decks and sideboards where strategic hand disruption can pave the way to victory.

Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Despise - MTG Card versions
Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Despise - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Duress by color, type and mana cost

Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Mind Peel - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Skull Fracture - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Mind Peel - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Skull Fracture - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardGolgari MidrangePro Tour Thunder Junction
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangePro Tour Thunder Junction
Dimir ControlDimir Control StandardDimir ControlPro Tour Thunder Junction
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper MidrangePro Tour Thunder Junction
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange StandardSultai ControlPro Tour Thunder Junction
Mono-Black DiscardMono-Black Discard PioneerMono-Black DiscardPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-24
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires PioneerRakdos VampiresPioneer League 2024-04-24
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangePioneer Preliminary 2024-04-25
Rakdos TransmogrifyRakdos Transmogrify PioneerRakdos TransmogrifyPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-24
Beseech StormBeseech Storm LegacyBeseech StormLegacy League 2024-04-25

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not directly drawing cards, Duress disrupts your opponent’s hand by selectively removing their noncreature threats, thereby tilting the balance of resources in your favor. This selective discard can lead to a strategic advantage that functions similarly to card advantage by negating the cards your opponent has yet to play.

Resource Acceleration: While Duress itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it effectively slows down your opponent’s game plan. By targeting key spells in their hand, you can prevent them from deploying their strategy on time, potentially accelerating your position in the game relative to theirs.

Instant Speed: Duress is a sorcery, which means it can’t be cast at instant speed. However, its strategic use can still set the pace of the game. Casting Duress during your first turns can impede an opponent’s setup, akin to the tempo gain usually associated with instant speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Duress necessitates your opponent to discard a noncreature, nonland card from their hand, which can be less impactful late in the game when those cards have already been played.

Specific Mana Cost: While Duress has a low cost, it requires black mana, making it exclusive to decks that run black and potentially unsuitable for multi-colored decks not including black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Duress itself has a low mana cost, in the context of disruption spells, there are alternatives like Thoughtseize that, despite a higher cost and life loss, can target any nonland card, offering broader utility.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Duress is a powerful spell that finds its place in various decks across multiple formats. It’s particularly useful for preemptively disrupting your opponent’s plans, stripping away key noncreature spells before they can be cast.

Combo Potential: This card is an asset when setting up or protecting combos, allowing players to remove threats like counterspells or removals from the opponent’s hand, smoothing the way for your strategy to unfold unhindered.

Meta-Relevance: Duress is consistently relevant in the meta, especially in environments heavy with control or combo decks. Given its low cost and targeted discard effect, it is a staple in sideboards and often sees main deck play in various archetypes.


How to beat

Duress is a mainstay in the world of MTG, known for its ability to disrupt opponents by targeting their noncreature, nonland cards and snatching them straight from their hand. For players on the receiving end, it requires a clever strategy to mitigate its effects. To successfully navigate around Duress, consider holding back key spells until you’re ready to use them, making them less vulnerable to preemptive strikes. Another effective tactic is to include cards in your deck that can retrieve spells from your graveyard, thus countering Duress’ initial disruption. Additionally, employing a diverse array of threats can reduce the impact of losing a single card, ensuring that your deck’s performance is not critically hampered. Lastly, anticipate your opponent playing Duress early on, especially if you’re playing against a black deck, and plan your plays to minimize the value they can extract from it.

Ultimately, while Duress can be a formidable card, its power is not absolute. By diversifying your strategies and understanding its timing and potential impact, you can continue to play confidently, even when facing this classic form of hand disruption.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of Duress in MTG can be a game-changer for players looking to gain an edge over the competition. Its ability to disrupt strategies by selectively discarding noncreature spells early in the game makes it a valuable card for any black deck. Whether you’re aiming to protect your own combo or dismantle your opponent’s plans, Duress serves as a strategic linchpin in many matchups. If you’re interested in refining your deck-building skills, exploring meta strategies, or just seeking to deepen your knowledge about strategic discard effects, we extend an invitation to further your MTG expertise with us. Let’s transform your gaming experience and ensure your next match delivers a carefully orchestrated victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duress MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and Urza's Saga, 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 Duress and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Duress Magic the Gathering card was released in 34 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 11 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 342015NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
21998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 1321997NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
31999-08-04World Championship Decks 1999WC99 js1321997NormalGoldLawrence Snelly
42000-01-01Arena League 2000PAL00 21997NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1311997NormalWhitePete Venters
62001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 131★1997NormalBlackPete Venters
72001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar131sb1997NormalGoldPete Venters
82001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 tvdl1311997NormalGoldPete Venters
92001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar1311997NormalGoldPete Venters
102002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 350782003NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
112002-08-14World Championship Decks 2002WC02 cr131sb1997NormalGoldPete Venters
122009-04-10Duel Decks: Divine vs. DemonicDDC 462003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
132009-07-17Magic 2010M10 962003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
142010-07-16Magic 2011M11 962003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
152011-11-18Premium Deck Series: GravebornPD3 132003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
162012-01-01IDW Comics InsertsPIDW 172003NormalBlackMichael Komarck
172012-07-13Magic 2013M13 902003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
182013-07-19Magic 2014M14 972003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
192014-05-30Modern Event Deck 2014MD1 232003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
202014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. DemonicDVD 462015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
212015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 982015NormalBlackJason Rainville
222016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 862015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
232017-09-29IxalanXLN 1052015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
242017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 882015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
252018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 942015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
262018-07-14MTG Arena PromosPANA 62015NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
272019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 972015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
282019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6422015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
292019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4792015NormalBlackRiot Games
302020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 962015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
312020-09-26The ListPLST EMA-862015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
322021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 922015NormalBorderlessRomiy
332021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 292015NormalBorderlessKristina Collantes
342021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7842015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
352021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 982015NormalBlackPaul Scott Canavan
362022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 982015NormalBlackPaul Scott Canavan
372023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3031997NormalBlackSteven Belledin
382023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 812015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
392023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 922015NormalBlackPINDURSKI

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duress has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal