Second Guess MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2012-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Avacyn Restored |
| Set code | AVR |
| Number | 74 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Karl Kopinski |
Key Takeaways
- Grants card advantage by countering spells during opponents’ turns, leading to effective resource management.
- Demands precise mana and a discarded card, which can sometimes limit its overall utility.
- Excels in controlling the flow of the game, particularly against decks that cast multiple spells quickly.
Text of card
Counter target spell that's the second spell cast this turn.
"I see where you're going with that. I don't like it." —Dierk, geistmage
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Second Guess allows you to directly counter your opponent’s trickery, potentially neutralizing a spell that they’ve invested resources into, effectively granting you a form of card advantage in the exchange.
Resource Acceleration: While Second Guess doesn’t generate mana or tokens, its low casting cost aids in resource efficiency, helping to maintain your pace in the game without falling behind.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Second Guess offers the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, which can result in a tempo swing in your favor while keeping your options wide open.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Second Guess necessitates the discard of a card from your hand, a trade-off that can hamper your positional advantage, especially when your hand is already dwindling in options.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands an exact blue and white mana, potentially restricting its compatibility across diverse deck strategies where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost set at three, including one blue and one white, Second Guess stands on the expensive side for an instant that counters only spells cast during a specific condition, potentially narrowing its tactical utility in swift-paced matches.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Second Guess stands out as a diverse tool, easily sliding into blue-based control decks. It’s particularly effective against opponents who rely on stack interactions, allowing you to counter those crucial second spells they cast each turn with ease.
Combo Potential: For players looking to craft a deck with a focus on spell-slinging, Second Guess adds a layer of protection for their own combos by disrupting opponents’ spell sequences, giving you the upper hand just when it’s needed.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where multiple spells are cast in quick succession, Second Guess provides a strategic edge. It’s especially handy when facing off against storm decks or those that utilize cheap cantrips to build momentum.
How to beat
Second Guess is a unique counter spell in the realm of Magic the Gathering, capable of neutralizing key plays if timed precisely. Its specificity, targeting only second spells cast in a turn, requires a strategic mind to outmaneuver. A straightforward strategy to beat Second Guess is to be mindful of your casting order. Prioritize casting less crucial spells before airing out your pivotal game-changers. This sidesteps the restriction of Second Guess and diminishes its potential impact.
Alteratively, baiting out the counter with a less vital spell can clear the path for more important plays later in the turn. Running instant-speed spells can also complicate your opponent’s attempts to use Second Guess effectively, as they can’t predict when you’ll cast your second spell. Lastly, employing spells that can’t be countered or utilizing abilities that mimic spell effects can invalidate Second Guess, allowing you to execute your strategy without the fear of being thwarted by this particular counter measure.
Remember, understanding the intricacies of your opponent’s possible defenses, including nuanced cards like Second Guess, can fortify your position and guide you to victory in the strategic battlefield of Magic the Gathering.
Cards like Second Guess
Second Guess stands out in the realm of countermagic in Magic: The Gathering with its unique timing restriction, allowing players to counter target spells only if they are the second spell cast in a single turn. It closely mirrors the versatility of traditional counters such as Counterspell, offering straightforward negation without extra conditions. Yet, there’s an edge with Second Guess thanks to its tactical surprise factor against opponents who often queue spells in a single turn.
Comparing it to more flexible counters like Negate which can be cast at any time to counter non-creature spells, Second Guess requires more strategic planning. It demands a deeper understanding of your opponent’s deck and playstyle. Then there’s Double Negative, which counters two spells at once, aligning with Second Guess’s theme of handling multiple spells in a turn, but with the advantage of no specific sequence requirement.
Ultimately, despite its limitations, Second Guess offers a niche yet powerful tool for control decks. Its potential to disrupt key plays during a critical turn where two spells are cast cannot be understated, making it a spell worth considering in tournament-level play and casual circles alike.
Cards similar to Second Guess by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Second Guess MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Second Guess and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Second Guess has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Second Guess card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | It doesn’t matter if the first spell cast that turn has resolved yet or not. It also doesn’t matter how many spells have been cast after the second one, as long as the second spell cast is still on the stack. |
| 2012-05-01 | Most spells and abilities that copy a spell create that copy on the stack. These copies are not cast and won’t count toward the number of spells cast that turn. However, a few (like Isochron Scepter’s ability) instruct you to copy a spell and “cast the copy.” These spells are cast and will count toward the number of spells cast that turn. |
| 2012-05-01 | Second Guess can’t be cast unless the spell it targets is the second spell cast this turn. |
