Pact of Negation MTG Card


Gain an edge by countering spells for no mana, keeping resources for other strategies. Enhance plays with instant speed flexibility, reacting to opponents without prior commitment. Manage resources carefully to avoid game loss from the five mana upkeep cost.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Pact of Negation is blue. Counter target spell. At the beginning of your next upkeep, pay . If you don't, you lose the game.

Those who expect betrayal at every turn are seldom disappointed.


Cards like Pact of Negation

Pact of Negation stands as a unique addition to the suite of counter spells available to Magic: The Gathering players. Its closest relative in function is Force of Will, which similarly allows players to counter a spell without paying any mana at the time of casting. However, Pact of Negation sets itself apart by having no initial cost at all, though it requires a payment of five mana on the next upkeep or the player loses the game.

Another comparable card is Mana Drain, which also counters a spell but then adds mana to your pool during the next main phase, equivalent to the countered spell’s cost. Mana Drain provides a huge tempo advantage, albeit with a higher casting cost than the free initial cast of Pact of Negation. Then, there’s Force of Negation, which can be cast for free on the opponent’s turn and exiles the countered spell, but only functions on noncreature spells.

In assessing the strategic value of these counter spells, Pact of Negation’s risky yet powerful effect makes it a high-stakes choice that can protect a winning position or disrupt a critical play by the opponent, making it a standout option for decks that can manage or mitigate its delayed payment.

Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Mana Drain - MTG Card versions
Force of Negation - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Mana Drain - MTG Card versions
Force of Negation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pact of Negation by color, type and mana cost

Evermind - MTG Card versions
Evermind - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Ad NauseamAd Nauseam ModernAd NauseamModern Challenge 64 2024-04-08
NeobrandNeobrand ModernNeobrandModern League 2024-04-12
Oops! All SpellsOops! All Spells LegacyOops! All SpellsLegacy Showcase Challenge 2024-04-21
Twiddle StormTwiddle Storm Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
BelcherBelcher ModernBelcherModern Challenge 32 2024-04-23
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyDoomsdayLegacy League 2024-04-21
WUBGWUBG ModernModern Challenge 64 2024-04-14
Amulet TitanAmulet Titan ModernAmulet Titan$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Esper ComboEsper Combo ModernAd Nauseam$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Simic ComboSimic Combo ModernTemur Freed from the Real Combo*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pact of Negation enables you to counter key spells without spending mana at the moment, effectively putting you a step ahead in resources even if you’re tapped out. This strategic advantage can maintain or shift the balance of power in a match.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing mana availability when cast, the ability to spend mana elsewhere while still holding up a potent counter can dramatically accelerate your game plan. Pact of Negation allows you to develop your board or resources while ensuring defense against threats.

Instant Speed: As a counterspell at instant speed, Pact of Negation offers flexibility to play reactively. This allows players to navigate complex game states or surprise opponents by countering an unexpected, crucial spell during their turn without prior commitment of resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Pact of Negation doesn’t have a discard requirement, the player must be mindful of its unique drawback. Failing to pay its {3}{U}{U} upkeep cost at the beginning of the next turn’s upkeep could be devastating, leading to an automatic loss of the game. This makes timing and resource management critical when playing this card.

Specific Mana Cost: The {3}{U}{U} mana cost necessary to avoid losing the game after casting Pact of Negation is color-specific and demands a substantial amount of blue mana resources. Players may find themselves constrained in multi-color decks or in situations where mana production is disrupted.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being free to cast at the time of counteracting an opponent’s spell, the eventual {3}{U}{U} payment can be considered high, especially in a fast-paced game. Other counter spells may provide lower-cost alternatives, granting players more flexibility to cast additional spells and maintain a strategic advantage during their own turn and their opponent’s turn.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pact of Negation serves as an essential tool in blue decks that aim to protect key plays or maintain a lead without setting back their mana development. Its ability to be utilized without any mana cost upfront allows for unexpected defenses and uninterrupted plays.

Combo Potential: This card is a staple in combo decks, ensuring critical spell resolution or protecting vital combo pieces from disruption. Its zero-cost counter ability lets players go all-in on their decisive turn with a safety net.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where instant-speed interaction is highly valuable and can turn the tide of a game, Pact of Negation shines. As counter wars or sudden game-ending threats are common, having this card can provide a crucial advantage.


How to beat

Understanding how to tackle Pact of Negation requires a strategic mindset as it can be a powerful disruptor in Magic: The Gathering. This zero-cost counter spell can surprise opponents and negate their crucial spells during a game. However, this move comes with a substantial cost at the player’s next upkeep, which can be exploited.

To effectively beat Pact of Negation, consider playing around your opponent’s mana limitations. If they aren’t able to pay the upcoming cost, they will lose the game. Furthermore, baiting out the counter spell with less critical spells can exhaust their defenses, leaving the way clear for your more important spells. Constant pressure and forcing your opponent to commit mana on their turns can impair their ability to successfully navigate their upkeep following the Pact.

Ultimately, the card demands advanced planning and forecasting from both the user and the opponent. For players confronting Pact of Negation, key tactics include observation, baiting strategic spells, and applying constant pressure to exploit its downside.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the tactical depths of the game, Pact of Negation presents itself as both a safeguard and a gamble. The agility it provides your deck is unparalleled, offering a chance to defend crucial plays without immediate cost. For those who master the art of resource management, this card unlocks a realm of possibility, enabling bold moves and surprising comebacks. A strategic mind and precise timing can turn this pact into a formidable weapon. Curious about weaving Pact of Negation into your deck or want insight on facing it across the battlefield? Join our community where we discuss, dissect, and master the intricacies of MTG’s most impactful cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pact of Negation MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Pact of Negation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pact of Negation Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 422003NormalBlackJason Chan
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 562003NormalBlackJason Chan
32017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 162015NormalBorderlessTitus Lunter
42018-03-16Masters 25A25 682015NormalBlackJason Chan
52020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 732015NormalBlackTitus Lunter
62020-09-26The ListPLST A25-682015NormalBlackJason Chan
72021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 772015NormalBlackJason Chan
82023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 5232015NormalBorderlessGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pact of Negation has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-06-07 Although originally printed with a characteristic-defining ability that defined its color, this card now has a color indicator. This color indicator can’t be affected by text-changing effects (such as the one created by Crystal Spray), although color-changing effects can still overwrite it.
2021-03-19 If Pact of Negation is countered or otherwise doesn’t resolve (perhaps because its target became illegal), the delayed triggered ability that threatens you with a game loss won’t trigger at the beginning of your next upkeep.
2021-03-19 If Pact of Negation resolves with a legal target but fails to counter that spell (most likely because that spell can’t be countered), the delayed triggered ability will still trigger at the beginning of your next upkeep and you will have to pay. Or else.