Confounding Riddle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Number | 50 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | A. M. Sartor |
Text of card
Choose one — • Look at the top four cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest into your graveyard. • Counter target spell unless its controller pays .
Explorers learned not to tamper with sites of ancient power without learning their purpose.
Cards like Confounding Riddle
In the vast world of Magic: The Gathering, Confounding Riddle is a unique enchantment that brings a twist to the way you handle your opponents’ creatures. It shares similarities with other enchantments like Imprisoned in the Moon, which can neutralize a significant threat by transforming it into a land. However, Confounding Riddle has a nuanced approach, bouncing creatures back to the owner’s hand rather than altering their state permanently.
Cards such as Lignify also offer creature control by turning a foe’s creature into a less threatening form, yet they differ from Confounding Riddle, which deals with creatures through a temporary solution and also presents a card selection puzzle.
The comparison extends to spells like Reality Acid, a notable aura that creates delayed inevitability by eventually forcing the enchanted permanent to be sacrificed. While Reality Acid requires a more patient strategy, Confounding Riddle’s immediate effect on the battlefield can unsettle an opponent’s plan more directly. As MTG players analyze these cards side by side, Confounding Riddle stands out with its capacity to constantly reshuffle the gameplay, reinforcing its place in Magic: The Gathering decks that favor control and tactical flexibility.
Cards similar to Confounding Riddle by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Confounding Riddle. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer | Izzet Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-07 |
 | Jeskai Control | Standard | Jeskai Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 29, 2024 |
 | Grixis Control | Standard | Grixis Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 29, 2024 |
 | Dimir Control | Pioneer | Dimir Control | Pioneer League 2024-04-12 |
 | Temur Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer | Temur Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer League 2024-04-12 |
 | Esper Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
 | Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Control | Standard Challenge 32 2024-04-13 |
 | Grixis Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 | |
 | Sultai Combo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
 | Izzet Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Confounding Riddle ensures a steady flow of options by letting you sift through your deck with its scry ability, offering you the chance to set up your upcoming draws for strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: Its unique ability to untap lands provides an avenue for resource acceleration, giving you the opportunity to utilize your mana more efficiently and potentially cast more spells in a single turn.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Confounding Riddle at instant speed means you can adapt to the evolving game state, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing for responsive play to any threats or opportunities that arise during the course of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Confounding Riddle mandates players to discard a card, pressuring them to forfeit potentially crucial resources from their hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for blue mana in its casting cost confines this card’s integration predominantly to decks that can produce blue mana reliably.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a sizable mana cost that spells out a significant investment, players may find that there are other options with lower casting costs or more impactful outcomes available to them.
Reasons to Include Confounding Riddle in Your Collection
Versatility: Confounding Riddle shines in its flexibility, slotting seamlessly into decks that play with bounce mechanics or those looking to disrupt opponent strategies. Its ability to return to the hand ensures persistent utility throughout the match.
Combo Potential: This card thrives when paired with cards that benefit from casting spells or drawing cards. It can trigger a chain of reactions, allowing players to unveil synergies within their decks and maintain the upper hand.
Meta-Relevance: Understanding current gameplay trends can make Confounding Riddle a tactical asset. It’s particularly effective in environments where preventing opponents from gaining momentum is crucial, making it a strategic inclusion in any metagame-focused collection.
How to beat Confounding Riddle
Confounding Riddle presents a unique strategic hurdle in Magic: The Gathering, setting a mysterious aura on the battlefield. In essence, this enchantment manipulates the flow of the game by posing a challenge that opponents must navigate. To effectively dismantle the riddle this card wraps around your strategy, a flexible game plan is essential.
One reliable method is targeting the enchantment itself. Green players can harness spells like Naturalize or Return to Nature, which directly destroy target enchantments, eliminating the riddle’s perplexing constraint with ease. Meanwhile, blue mages might employ counterspells such as Negate, ready to prevent Confounding Riddle from resolving in the first place.
Additionally, one can adapt to the inevitable shuffle effect, possibly turning it to their advantage. Strategies including “scry” prioritize deck manipulation, allowing players to place critical cards on top to mitigate the riddle’s disruptive power. Tools like Opt or Serum Visions can prearrange the deck to benefit from the so-called disadvantage. In summation, overcoming Confounding Riddle revolves around enchantment removal, proactive countermeasures, and a nimble deck that can exploit its expected shuffle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Confounding Riddle MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Riddle 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Confounding Riddle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |