Counterpoint MTG Card

Counterpoint grants card advantage and can disrupt opponents’ early game with its instant-speed flexibility. Late-game discards and specific color requirements may limit its utility in diverse mana decks. Despite cons, its versatility makes it a valuable component of any MTG collection.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counter target spell. You may cast a creature, instant, sorcery, or planeswalker spell from your graveyard with mana value less than or equal to that spell's mana value without paying its mana cost.

"Nice theory, but I'm going to have to poke some holes in it."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A pivotal strategy for outpacing opponents is maintaining a robust hand, and Counterpoint excels at this by countering a spell while simultaneously drawing a card, effectively leaving you a step ahead in the exchange.

Resource Acceleration: While Counterpoint itself doesn’t directly create resources, countering critical spells can impede opponents’ resource development, indirectly accelerating your position to command the game, especially when hindering an opponent’s early momentum.

Instant Speed: The true flexibility of Counterpoint shines at instant speed, allowing players to adapt to threats in real-time. Whether stopping a game-changing spell or simply bluffing the capacity to do so, instant speed permits strategic depth, elevating the card’s tactical value during any match phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Counterpoint necessitates a player to discard a card, which can be particularly detrimental during the late game when each card’s strategic value is at its peak.

Specific Mana Cost: It necessitates blue mana, potentially constraining its incorporation in multi-color decks that may have a more diverse mana base and require versatility in their spell costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both color-specific resources and additional cards to play, players may find Counterpoint less efficient compared to lower-cost alternatives that can be played without the discard condition.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Counterpoint card serves as a flexible addition to numerous deck archetypes due to its capability to counter both spells and abilities. Its duality ensures it finds a place in sideboards and main decks alike, prepared to disrupt your opponent’s game plan effectively.

Combo Potential: Counterpoint opens up synergies with cards that benefit from spell casting or countering. Whether it’s fueling a storm count or triggering prowess-like abilities, this card has the potential to be a linchpin in intricate combos that propel you towards victory.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with instant-speed spells and ability-driven creatures, Counterpoint’s relevance grows. Its presence can sway the tide in matches, providing a pivotal tool against commonly played strategies and ensuring your deck has the reactive measures it needs to thrive.

How to beat

Counterpoint is a unique card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, operating as a significant roadblock for any player eager to push through with a strategic play. Tackling this card head-on requires a thoughtful approach; timing is critical. A key strategy is to bait the Counterpoint with a less critical spell, prompting your opponent to waste it precariously. This tactic clears the path for your more potent spells to successfully land on the board without the threat of being countered.

Another effective technique for neutralizing Counterpoint’s impact is to play cards that can’t be countered, ensuring that your essential spells resolve. Utilize spells with the ‘can’t be countered’ clause to invalidate Counterpoint’s effect. Additionally, spells with split second also serve as a reliable method to sidestep Counterpoint, as they’re designed to resolve quickly, without giving opponents a chance to respond with counter spells.

To sum up, while Counterpoint presents a formidable challenge, understanding and utilizing specific strategies such as baiting, employing uncounterable spells, and taking advantage of split second can effectively neutralize this obstacle, allowing players to retain momentum and control over the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Counterpoint MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor Commander and Murders at Karlov Manor Commander, 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 Counterpoint and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Counterpoint Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Brian Valeza.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 412015NormalBlackBrian Valeza
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 3512015NormalBlackBrian Valeza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Counterpoint has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Counterpoint card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2024-02-02 Alternatively, if the target spell is still a legal target but can’t be countered, Counterpoint will still resolve and allow you to cast a spell from your graveyard with mana value less than or equal to the target spell’s mana value.
2024-02-02 If a spell you cast has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2024-02-02 If the target spell has in its mana cost, use the value chosen for X when determining that spell’s mana value.
2024-02-02 If the target spell is an illegal target as Counterpoint tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen.
2024-02-02 If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the spell.
2024-02-02 You cast the card from your graveyard as Counterpoint resolves. You can’t wait to cast it later in the turn. Timing restrictions based on the card’s types are ignored.