Break the Spell MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2023-09-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | WOE |
| Number | 5 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Miranda Meeks |
Key Takeaways
- It offers card balance by replacing itself and disrupting opponent tactics at instant speed.
- Despite versatility, its specific mana cost and discard requirement may hinder some strategies.
- Versatile and meta-relevant, it counters diverse threats, positioning it as a competitive inclusion.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Break the Spell MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Break the Spell 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
Text of card
Destroy target enchantment. If a permanent you controlled or a token was destroyed this way, draw a card.
As Hylda watched Ruby drag Kellan's unconscious form through the cold, Hylda felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: compassion.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Break the Spell stands out by offering players the ability to counteract opponent strategies while replacing itself in your hand, maintaining or improving card equilibrium.
Resource Acceleration: This card is robust in its ability to disrupt the opponent’s tactic, and if it targets a noncreature spell, it converts potential loss into a gain by untapping up to two lands, potentially accelerating your resources.
Instant Speed: Versatility is key in MTG, and Break the Spell is castable at instant speed, providing flexibility to respond adeptly to threats or bluffing counters until the most pivotal moment arises.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Break the Spell comes with a necessary discard, which can be a tough pill to swallow when your hand is already dwindling, or the cards you’re holding are vital for upcoming strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Break the Spell demands a dedicated color commitment in its mana cost. This could be restrictive for multicolored decks that may not always have the required mana at the critical moment, thereby reducing its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its offered utility, Break the Spell could potentially slow down your gameplay compared to other cards that might provide similar benefits for less, allowing you to maintain tempo in fast-paced matches.
Reasons to Include Break the Spell in Your Collection
Versatility: Break the Spell slots into a variety of deck archetypes with ease. Its ability to target spells or enchantments makes it a flexible option for both proactive and reactive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with other cards that benefit from spells being cast or specific triggers occurring upon spells being countered. It opens the door for intricate combo setups or simply protecting your existing board state.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in handling an array of enchantments and noncreature spells, Break the Spell stands out in a meta that’s rich with powerful instants, sorceries, and enchantments, making it a strategic choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Break the Spell is an intriguing card that can serve as a game-changer in many Magic: The Gathering matchups. When facing an opponent using Break the Spell, the key is to understand its mechanic; it neutralizes not just one, but potentially multiple spells or abilities, given that it’s played at the right time. To overcome this, consider baiting it out with less crucial spells or playing around it by keeping adequate mana open to cast spells with Split Second, which can’t be countered.
Another effective strategy is to prioritize spells that cannot be countered by Break the Spell, such as those with the ability “can’t be countered”. Deck construction also plays a critical role; including a diversity of threats, both on the stack and on the battlefield, limits the efficacy of countermagic like Break the Spell. Lastly, be mindful of your opponent’s mana availability and look for opportunities when they are tapped out or when their mana pool is insufficient to activate Break the Spell’s counter ability.
The subtleties of strategic play and resource management against disruptive cards like Break the Spell make Magic: The Gathering the deeply strategic game that players cherish. By anticipating your opponent’s moves and carefully timing your spells, you can successfully navigate around the obstacles Break the Spell presents.
Cards like Break the Spell
Break the Spell is yet another intriguing spell interaction card for MTG enthusiasts. When compared to other protection spells like Gods Willing, it stands out in its ability to counter both creature and enchantment spells, a feature not commonly found together in many cards. Gods Willing, while offering protection for a single creature against a color of your choice, doesn’t provide the wider safeguarding that Break the Spell does.
Redirecting our focus to cards with a broader defensive purview, we can look at cards like Negate. Negate allows players to nullify noncreature spells, thus sharing the enchantment negation capability with Break the Spell. However, it does not apply to creature spells, thus making Break the Spell a bit more versatile in head-to-head spell wars. Lastly, Dovin’s Veto is a noteworthy mention; like Break the Spell, it can counter noncreature spells too, but it’s irrefutable, a distinction that Break the Spell doesn’t have. Nevertheless, Break the Spell remains unique in its dual nature of thwarting both creature and enchantment advancements of your opponent.
Assessing Break the Spell alongside its peers, we can appreciate its distinctive mix of qualities offering MTG players an edge in battles that require countering a diverse array of threats in one go.
Cards similar to Break the Spell by color, type and mana cost
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Break the Spell has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Break the Spell card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | If a permanent you controlled or a token is destroyed with Break the Spell but is put into a zone other than a graveyard as a result, you will draw a card. |
| 2023-09-01 | If the enchantment has indestructible, it won't be destroyed. You won't draw a card. |