Censor MTG Card

Utilize Censor’s instant speed to gain control by anticipating and countering crucial opponent plays efficiently. Balance Censor’s discard requirement by considering your hand’s resources to avoid strategic setbacks. Incorporate Censor for its versatility, enabling strong combos in blue-based decks and ensuring meta-relevance.

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 46

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 52

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Abilities	Cycling

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

"Why so many questions?" —Temmet, vizier of Naktamun

Cards like Censor

Censor is an intriguing tactical play within Magic: The Gathering’s suite of countermagic. It’s often compared to other conditional counters such as Mana Leak, which also provides a method to counter unless the opponent can pay an additional cost. Censor is unique with its cycling ability, allowing you to cycle it away for another card if it’s not currently needed. Mana Leak doesn’t offer such flexibility, demanding a more immediate decision.

Another relative in this niche is Spell Pierce, which targets noncreature spells for a minimal mana cost, but lacks the cycling benefit of Censor. By being able to cycle, Censor offers a level of versatility and late-game relevance that Spell Pierce cannot. Then there’s Miscalculation, blending both worlds with the option to counter unless a cost is paid or cycle it for card replacement. However, it settles at a higher mana cost compared to the sleek one blue of Censor.

Ultimately, while many spells offer the security of interruption, Censor’s low cost and cycling option place it firmly as a favorite for decks seeking to maintain momentum while retaining control capabilities in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Censor by color, type and mana cost

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Decks using this card

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

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Azorius Control	Pioneer	Azorius Control	Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-25
Dimir Control	Pioneer	Dimir Control	Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-20
UB	Pioneer		Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-25

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Censor enables you to peek at the top card of your library any time you want, offering the potential advantage of knowing what’s coming next and planning your strategy accordingly.

Resource Acceleration: As a bonus, if you control a creature with power greater than the top card’s mana value, you may reveal and play that card, providing a unique form of acceleration that can potentially bypass mana costs and speed up your gameplay.

Instant Speed: Censor can be cast at instant speed, allowing you to efficiently manage your resources by waiting to see if your opponent plays a key spell that warrants a counter. This flexibility can be crucial in maintaining control of the match and edging out your competition.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Censor demands a card to be discarded upon casting. This can be a notable setback when your hand is already depleted or when losing a card could cost you your strategic edge.

Specific Mana Cost: Aligning with a specific mana requirement, Censor needs one blue mana, which pigeonholes it into blue-centric or compatible decks, potentially excluding it from varied mana base decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its cycling ability, the total cost might detract from its attraction, particularly when there are alternatives for either direct disruption or cheaper cycling options that may complement a strategy more efficiently.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Censor demonstrates remarkable flexibility as it seamlessly slots into various blue-based control or tempo decks. Its ability to counter spells early in the game or cycle for a new card makes it a dual-threat.

Combo Potential: Its cycling ability can also work wonders in decks that synergize with drawing cards or with mechanics like Madness, allowing for unexpected plays and strategy enhancement.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where spell-heavy combos or crucial setup plays are common, the instant speed and low cost of Censor can give players an edge by disrupting opponents’ key turns without significant mana investment.

How to beat

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, coming across the Censor card can be quite the obstacle. This card is known for its ability to interrupt the flow of an opponent’s game, nipping potential threats in the bud. In essence, Censor allows a player to force an opponent to pay additional mana or have their spell countered – a sneaky form of resource control.

Defeating a card like Censor involves strategic play, where mana management becomes crucial. Patience is key; waiting out until you have sufficient mana to pay the Censor tax can be a good approach. Alternatively, baiting out the card with a less crucial spell can clear the path for more significant plays later on. Another effective strategy is to keep track of cards your opponent has in hand, capitalizing on moments they’re low on cards, reducing Censor’s likelihood of play.

Players might also look into including spells in their own decks that can’t be countered or utilize abilities that occur even if the spell is countered. This not only neutralizes the effect of Censor but also ensures your game plan continues without disruption. Understanding and maneuvering around cards like Censor is what makes Magic: The Gathering a deeply strategic and rewarding experience.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Censor MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Censor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Censor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by John Stanko.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH		46	2015	Normal	Black	John Stanko
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		52	2015	Normal	Black	John Stanko

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Censor has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Commander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Timeless	Legal