Confounding Conundrum MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Confounding Conundrum enters the battlefield, draw a card. Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, if that player had another land enter the battlefield under their control this turn, they return a land they control to its owner's hand.
Cards like Confounding Conundrum
Confounding Conundrum is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, part of a niche but potent category that impacts land plays. It is often compared to cards like Aven Mindcensor, which also regulates an opponent’s ability to search their library, albeit with a focus on lands fetched from the library rather than those played from the hand. While Confounding Conundrum doesn’t outright block searches, it discourages opponents from accelerating their mana base excessively.
Another akin card is Root Maze, which affects how and when lands and artifacts can be utilized by forcing them to enter the battlefield tapped. This shares Confounding Conundrum’s disruption theme but applies a broader sweep. Where Confounding Conundrum specifically targets the action of playing an additional land, Root Maze slows down each individual land or artifact play, potentially impacting the tempo from the very first turn.
Assessing Confounding Conundrum’s place in the landscape of MTG strategies, it stands out as a tool against ramp-focused decks. It offers a control element that is subtle yet can be highly disruptive against players seeking to explode their mana base with multiple land plays in a single turn.
Cards similar to Confounding Conundrum by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Confounding Conundrum. 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 64 2024-02-04 | |
Selesnya Enchantments | Modern | Enchantress | Grand Open Qualifier Barcelona 2023 | |
Land Destruction | Modern | Land Destruction | Modern Challenge 64 2023-12-02 (1) | |
Dimir Coffers | Modern | Dimir Coffers | Modern League 2023-11-17 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Confounding Conundrum disrupts your opponents’ plans by preventing them from capitalizing on strategies that involve playing multiple lands. This disruption can translate into card advantage for you, as it can cause your opponents to discard down to their maximum hand size if they can’t play out their lands efficiently.
Resource Acceleration: This card indirectly affects resource acceleration by limiting how quickly your opponents can develop their mana base, potentially keeping you ahead in the race for mana resources. While it doesn’t directly speed up your own land drops, it ensures a more level playing field, especially against deck types that aim to ramp quickly.
Instant Speed: Though Confounding Conundrum is not an instant itself, it influences the timing of spells. Opponents may be reluctant to play instant speed land-fetching spells with Confounding Conundrum on the field, as it could force them to bounce a land back to hand, effectively negating the benefit of fetching at instant speed. This changes the tempo of the game and how your opponent can utilize their spells at different phases.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Confounding Conundrum doesn’t have a discard clause, its controlling aspect can indirectly force players to jettison lands back to their hand, which without further plays, could result in having to discard at the end of turn due to hand size limits.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific mana cost, requiring both blue and generic mana, which means it’s naturally a better fit for blue-centric or multi-color decks, potentially restricting it from mono-colored or colorless strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two mana value, there might be expectations of an immediate impact. However, Confounding Conundrum’s ability is more situational, potentially resulting in a card that occupies a slot without affecting the board immediately, compared to other two-mana spells that could provide instant advantage or disruption.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Confounding Conundrum card is a solid addition to any collection due to its flexible nature. It can be included in a variety of deck types, particularly those aiming to disrupt opponents’ manabase strategies. Its ability to hinder opponents who rely on ramping can be a game-changer.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with land bounce effects, allowing for interesting play interactions. It can be an integral part of a deck that seeks to create combos by punishing opponents for playing multiple lands or searching their library for lands.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where land ramp decks are prevalent, Confounding Conundrum can serve as an effective countermeasure. By limiting opponents’ land plays, it provides a tactical edge in matches where tempo and resource control are crucial.
How to beat
Confounding Conundrum is a crafty enchantment in MTG that has challenged players to rethink their strategies when it comes to land plays. Resolving a Confounding Conundrum on the field means that any opponent who dares to get greedy with land drops will find themselves set back, as they’re compelled to return a land to their own hand when a second one comes into play on their turn.
To effectively overcome this conundrum, a straightforward approach is the dismantling of enchantments. Casting cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can swiftly rid the board of this nuisance. Another tactful play is to limit land ramp strategies or adjust your strategy by only playing one land per turn to evade the trigger. In addition, incorporating cards that allow land plays on opponents’ turns, bypassing the Conundrum’s effects, can be a subtle yet powerful counterplay.
Admittedly, this card adds a complex layer to the game, encouraging a more thoughtful land play. While it can put a damper on aggressive ramp decks, a prepared player with the right countermeasures can work around, if not directly dispel, the boundaries set by Confounding Conundrum.
BurnMana Recommendations
Confounding Conundrum is a nuanced piece in the MTG puzzle that beckons players to think strategically about land deployment. Our recap shows how it levels the playing field against ramp-heavy adversaries and creates an environment ripe for victory. With a card that’s as much about psychological play as it is about the physical board, you’ve got a tool that’s versatile, combo-friendly, and metagame-aware. Enhance your collection’s dynamism and refine your tactics against land-focused strategies. Eager to twist the game in your favor? Dive deeper with us and discover more ways to ensnare your opponents in your tactical web.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Confounding Conundrum MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising 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 Confounding Conundrum and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Confounding Conundrum Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Bryan Sola.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 83828 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola | ||
2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 53p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola | |
3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Promos | PZNR | 53s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola | |
4 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 326 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola | |
5 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 53 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Confounding Conundrum has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Confounding Conundrum card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-09-25 | If an opponent has had no lands enter under their control and then two or more lands enter at the same time, Confounding Conundrum’s second ability triggers for each of those lands. |
2020-09-25 | The player may return any land they control to its owner’s hand, not just one of those that entered this turn. |