Contempt MTG Card


Contempt leverages instant speed for flexibility and board control, making it a tactical asset during gameplay. Its dual functionality of exile and life gain positions it as a robust choice for diverse deck strategies. The card’s precise mana requirement and higher cost remind players to weigh its value against alternatives.
Contempt - Stronghold
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set nameStronghold
Set codeSTH
Number27
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byVal Mayerik

Text of card

If enchanted creature attacks, return that creature and Contempt to owner's hand at end of combat.

"Predictable little man. In all these years you taught me so much yet learned so little." —Volrath, to Starke


Cards like Contempt

Contempt stands out in the world of removal spells within MTG. Its closest relatives in functionality include other popular spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, which efficiently dispatch creatures at a low mana cost. Yet, Contempt forges its unique identity through its ability to exile, not just destroy, highlighting a substantial advantage against creatures that can return from the graveyard. Doom Blade is restricted by its inability to target black creatures, while Go for the Throat cannot terminate artifact creatures, giving Contempt a broader range of targets.

Enter Ultimate Price, another similar card that dismantles a creature but only if that creature is monocolored. Contempt’s versatility shines again, as it isn’t constrained by the color identity of the target. The spell Hero’s Downfall also merits comparison, offering the ability to destroy planeswalkers in addition to creatures, a feature Contempt shares. However, Contempt’s ability to exile grants it a subtle edge by preventing any chance of a comeback from graveyard-centric strategies.

In the vast expanse of MTG’s removal options, Contempt not only competes but often surpasses its counterparts through its broad applicability and finality, steadily securing its coveted place in players’ decks.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions
Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions
Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Contempt by color, type and mana cost

Invisibility - MTG Card versions
Power Leak - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Terrain - MTG Card versions
Stasis - MTG Card versions
Creature Bond - MTG Card versions
Lifetap - MTG Card versions
Power Artifact - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions
Venarian Gold - MTG Card versions
Soar - MTG Card versions
Flooded Shoreline - MTG Card versions
Dance of Many - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Veil - MTG Card versions
Legacy's Allure - MTG Card versions
Chill - MTG Card versions
Buoyancy - MTG Card versions
Mana Maze - MTG Card versions
Psionic Gift - MTG Card versions
Immobilizing Ink - MTG Card versions
Stupefying Touch - MTG Card versions
Invisibility - MTG Card versions
Power Leak - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Terrain - MTG Card versions
Stasis - MTG Card versions
Creature Bond - MTG Card versions
Lifetap - MTG Card versions
Power Artifact - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions
Venarian Gold - MTG Card versions
Soar - MTG Card versions
Flooded Shoreline - MTG Card versions
Dance of Many - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Veil - MTG Card versions
Legacy's Allure - MTG Card versions
Chill - MTG Card versions
Buoyancy - MTG Card versions
Mana Maze - MTG Card versions
Psionic Gift - MTG Card versions
Immobilizing Ink - MTG Card versions
Stupefying Touch - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Contempt offers the strategic edge of removing a key opponent piece while also granting you valuable life points, essentially handling two issues with a single card. This dual benefit bolsters your position enormously, especially in games that teeter on tight resource management and board control.

Resource Acceleration: While Contempt itself does not directly provide resource acceleration in the form of mana or tokens, it does efficiently pave the way towards a more stable board state. By eliminating a critical threat, it indirectly accelerates your game plan by clearing the path for your own creatures and strategies to take center stage without opposition.

Instant Speed: The power to cast Contempt at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield on a moment’s notice, whether that’s during combat or in response to an activation of an ability. This flexibility ensures that you maintain the upper hand, preserving surprise and control as you artfully manage the pace and flow of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Contempt comes with a caveat where you must part with another card in your hand. In games where every resource counts, this can set you back, especially when faced with an empty hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana alignment, particularly requiring black mana, which can be restrictive and not always in sync with your deck’s mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Contempt’s mana cost leaning on the higher side, it’s important to consider that there are alternatives that could achieve similar effects for less. Allocating resources efficiently is key in MTG, and sometimes Contempt’s cost might not match its impact on the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Contempt offers a unique blend of removal and life gain, making it a flexible inclusion for a variety of decks. Whether you’re up against aggro threats or need to handle problematic creatures or planeswalkers, this card adapts to numerous situations.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that thrive on life gain or benefit from the removal of a creature or planeswalker, Contempt can act as a key piece in a combo, turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In matchups where high-value targets are prevalent, having a reliable answer like Contempt is essential. Its ability to deal with top threats and alter the course of a match makes it a strategic choice in any competitive setting.


How to beat

Contempt is a card that often finds its place in MTG decks due to its sheer utility in disrupting opponent strategies. It becomes essential to form a plan to mitigate the effects of Contempt and retain control of the game. As it primarily targets creatures and planeswalkers, designing your deck with an abundance of versatile threats can reduce the impact of a single removal. Additionally, the utilisation of instant-speed spells and abilities that can protect or regenerate your key permanents is a solid strategy to nullify Contempt’s dominance on the board.

One could also consider incorporating cards that benefit you when your permanents leave the battlefield. This way, even if Contempt successfully resolves, you gain advantages in return. Moreover, countermagic is always a reliable countermeasure, as denying Contempt before it takes effect preserves your board state and keeps the momentum on your side. Lastly, always track your opponent’s mana, especially the needed double black, as that’s your window to safely deploy critical threats without the immediate worry of Contempt. It lies in the art of timing and resource management to outmaneuver an opponent’s Contempt and maintain dominance throughout the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Contempt MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Contempt and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Contempt has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal