Mana Drain MTG Card


Mana Drain counters spells and transforms that energy into mana for your next turn. The card demands strategic hand management to prevent overdraw and discard. Mana Drain fits best in blue decks due to specific mana requirements.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counters target spell. At the beginning of your next main phase, add o X to your mana pool, where X is the casting cost of target spell.


Cards like Mana Drain

Mana Drain is an iconic staple in Magic: The Gathering, often compared to Counterspell, a foundational card for control strategies. Where Counterspell ends the conversation with a flat two-mana cost, Mana Drain adds a twist, giving you colorless mana equal to the countered spell’s casting cost during your next main phase. This pivotal difference not only disrupts opponents’ plans but also catapults your mana resources, potentially turning the tide of the game dramatically.

Another counterpart to consider is Force of Will, which offers a different type of flexibility. Force of Will allows you to pay life and exile a blue card from your hand rather than paying its mana cost. While Mana Drain offers a mana boost, Force of Will is all about the element of surprise and the option to act without available mana. Finally, Spell Swindle also conveys a mana-generating counter effect, yet it is more expensive and situational, providing Treasure tokens commensurate with the countered spell’s cost, which doesn’t always guarantee an immediate impact compared to Mana Drain’s direct mana gain.

Assessing the strategic depth and resource advantages, Mana Drain undeniably holds a coveted position within the arsenal of counter-magic in Magic: The Gathering, setting a high bar for versatility and potential game swings.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Spell Swindle - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Spell Swindle - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mana Drain by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis TinkerGrixis Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage League 2024-04-08
4c Tinker4c Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Esper TinkerEsper Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage League 2024-02-03
Sultai BeansSultai Beans Free formNoble Spring Quarterly
Azorius FamiliarsAzorius Familiars Free formNoble Spring Quarterly
JeffJeff Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
BUG MidrangeBUG Midrange Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Grixis ControlGrixis Control VintageBlue Tinker2023 NA Vintage Champs
UU VintageVintage Challenge 32 2024-03-10

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Mana Drain card provides a crucial edge with its ability to counter an opponent’s spell while setting up for a mighty turn of your own. It not only halts your opponent’s strategy but effectively turns their power against them as you receive that much mana during your next main phase. The extra resources can be pivotal, allowing you to deploy costly spells ahead of schedule or simply maintain momentum by playing multiple cards in a single turn.

Resource Acceleration: With Mana Drain’s unique effect, players can experience a burst of resource acceleration not often seen in the game. By countering a high-cost spell, you could potentially gain a significant amount of mana to utilize during the next main phase. This influx can be the turning point, giving you the ability to cast game-changing spells earlier than normal and shift the balance of play in your favor.

Instant Speed: Playing at instant speed offers a strategic depth that sorcery speed cards simply cannot match. With Mana Drain at your disposal, you can adapt to the changing tides of the match, responding to your opponent’s actions with precision. Its instant speed also means you can effectively leave mana open to bluff other potential plays, keeping your contenders guessing while you are firmly in control.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Mana Drain, players must be strategic about hand management. Although it doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, the card advantage it provides could lead to a disadvantageous situation where you have to discard at the end of your turn if you exceed your hand size limit. This is especially pertinent in the turn you cast Mana Drain, when you’ll get a potentially large mana injection during your next main phase.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a blue spell, Mana Drain’s specific mana requirement means that it’s naturally a better fit for blue or blue-inclusive decks. The double blue mana in its casting cost can prove challenging in multicolored mana bases, potentially affecting its timing or even your ability to cast it at critical moments during the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Mana Drain’s initial mana investment is quite significant. At two blue mana, it is costlier compared to other popular counter spells in MTG that may cost less and still offer significant utility. When Mana Drain is in your hand but you don’t have sufficient blue sources, it could be a dead card at times when you need a quick response.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mana Drain is a highly flexible counter spell that seamlessly integrates into a vast range of blue-centric or control decks. Its power to neutralize threats and turn them into valuable mana makes it a versatile choice for many game situations.

Combo Potential: The substantial mana boost provided the following turn opens up a plethora of combo possibilities, allowing players to cast high-cost spells much earlier than usual or enabling intricate play sequences that can pivot the game in their favor.

Meta-Relevance: In competitive play, Mana Drain maintains its relevance by being able to disrupt an opponent’s crucial plays. Its presence alone can dictate the tempo of the match and position you advantageously within the current meta, especially against decks that rely on casting pivotal spells.


How to Beat

Mana Drain is a powerful counter spell known for not only thwarting your opponent’s spells but also converting that mana into a valuable resource for your subsequent turn. This card, however, can be overcome with the right strategy. Approaching Mana Drain requires patience and timing. Consider baiting it out with less crucial spells to exhaust your opponent’s counter before playing your game-changers. Alternatively, you could use spells or abilities that cannot be countered, ensuring your key plays land on the table unaffected. It’s also vital to assess the situation, Mana Drain’s effectiveness hinges on the mana cost of the spell it counters; sometimes it’s worth letting a less impactful spell get drained to avoid giving your adversary a significant mana boost.

Moreover, casting spells during your opponent’s end step can pressure them to use up Mana Drain prematurely or save it, risking potential vulnerability. Cards that grant you hexproof as a player, like Leyline of Sanctity, can safeguard your spells by making them untargetable, thereby nullifying Mana Drain’s impact. Through a combination of careful play and the right protections, the intimidation of facing down a Mana Drain can be mitigated, preserving the momentum of your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

The insightful exploration of Mana Drain’s dynamics reveals its potential to revolutionize gameplay. By leveraging its ability to turn the tables with surplus mana or crafting strategies to overcome its constraints, players can significantly enhance their MTG prowess. Whether you’re amplifying your deck’s capabilities or seeking methods to counteract this powerful spell, the journey toward MTG mastery is ongoing. Dive deeper into Mana Drain’s intricacies, optimize your strategies, and expand your collection with cards that complement or challenge its dominance. Continue your quest for MTG supremacy with us, where every match is a step towards claiming victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mana Drain MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Magic Online 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 Mana Drain and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Mana Drain Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 651993NormalBlackMark Tedin
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1022412015NormalBlackChuck Lukacs
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 469342003NormalBlackMike Bierek
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 860702015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
52009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 431997NormalBlackMark Tedin
62014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 782015NormalBlackMike Bierek
72016-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2016J16 22015NormalBlackMike Bierek
82017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 652015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
92020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6372015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
102020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 802015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
112022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4322015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
122022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3482015NormalBorderlessChuck Lukacs
132022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 572015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
142024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 672015NormalBorderlessFlorey
152024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 112015NormalBorderlessFlorey

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mana Drain has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolRestricted
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelBanned
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 If the target spell is an illegal target by the time Mana Drain tries to resolve, Mana Drain doesn't resolve. You don't add mana at the beginning of your next main phase. If the target is legal but not countered (most likely because an effect says that the spell can't be countered), you do add mana.
2020-11-10 Mana Drain's delayed triggered ability will usually trigger at the beginning of your precombat main phase. However, if you cast Mana Drain during your precombat main phase or during your combat phase, its delayed triggered ability will trigger at the beginning of that turn's postcombat main phase.