Deafening Silence MTG Card


Restricts casting to one noncreature spell per turn, enhancing strategic play and control over the game. Best suited for strategies that aim to limit opponents’ actions, making it a valuable sideboard card. It can be countered by creature-based strategies or targeted enchantment removal.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Each player can't cast more than one noncreature spell each turn.

"They have forsaken their vows. The edict of the Circle demands their voices be silenced." —Syr Tasdale, knight of Ardenvale


Cards like Deafening Silence

Deafening Silence stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its unique effect on a crucial part of gameplay: casting noncreature spells. In this niche, it draws comparison to cards like Eidolon of Rhetoric, which imposes a similar one-spell-a-turn limit. While Eidolon of Rhetoric affects all spell types and is embodied in a creature card, Deafening Silence is limited to noncreature spells but comes with the benefit of being a more difficult-to-answer enchantment.

Another card that shares traits with Deafening Silence is Rule of Law. Both enforce a one-spell-per-turn rule but Rule of Law extends this restraint across all types. The choice between these two can pivot on the deck’s strategy and the composition of opponents’ decks in the meta. Moreover, a more recent addition to consider is Damping Sphere. Although it mainly targets decks that aim to cast multiple spells in one turn, it also increases mana costs for players utilizing lands that produce more than one mana, adding a layer of versatility not present in Deafening Silence.

When evaluating these cards in the context of a game that values casting numerous spells, Deafening Silence emerges as a specialist card. Its impact in controlling noncreature spell flow, balanced by its restriction, makes it a distinctive companion in certain deck strategies within Magic: The Gathering.

Eidolon of Rhetoric - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Damping Sphere - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Rhetoric - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Damping Sphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deafening Silence by color, type and mana cost

White Ward - MTG Card versions
Green Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Strength - MTG Card versions
Lance - MTG Card versions
Consecrate Land - MTG Card versions
Animate Wall - MTG Card versions
Black Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Armor - MTG Card versions
Blue Ward - MTG Card versions
Red Ward - MTG Card versions
Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Brainwash - MTG Card versions
Green Scarab - MTG Card versions
Blue Scarab - MTG Card versions
Spirit Link - MTG Card versions
Armor of Faith - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Armor - MTG Card versions
Flickering Ward - MTG Card versions
Limited Resources - MTG Card versions
Mask of Law and Grace - MTG Card versions
White Ward - MTG Card versions
Green Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Strength - MTG Card versions
Lance - MTG Card versions
Consecrate Land - MTG Card versions
Animate Wall - MTG Card versions
Black Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Armor - MTG Card versions
Blue Ward - MTG Card versions
Red Ward - MTG Card versions
Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Brainwash - MTG Card versions
Green Scarab - MTG Card versions
Blue Scarab - MTG Card versions
Spirit Link - MTG Card versions
Armor of Faith - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Armor - MTG Card versions
Flickering Ward - MTG Card versions
Limited Resources - MTG Card versions
Mask of Law and Grace - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Naya TempoNaya Tempo VintageBlue TempoVintage Challenge 32 2024-05-02
Naya Turbo InitiativeNaya Turbo Initiative Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Other ShopsOther Shops VintageOther ShopsVintage League 2024-02-17
LandsLands LegacyLandsWeekly Legacy
Mono-White AggroMono-White Aggro ModernHumans2 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians
HumansHumans VintageHumansVintage League 2023-12-03
WRWR Vintage2023 Asia Vintage Championship
Mono-Red PrisonMono-Red Prison Vintage2023 Asia Vintage Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Deafening Silence doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its role is to prevent opponents from executing multi-spell turns, leveling the playing field and indirectly maintaining your card advantage by limiting their options.

Resource Acceleration: Deafening Silence can be seen as a form of resource acceleration for your strategy, as it effectively slows down your opponents, giving you more time to develop your board and make the most out of your resources without fear of complex counterplays in a single turn.

Instant Speed: Although Deafening Silence is not an instant itself, it influences the playing speed of instant spells. By restricting each player to one noncreature spell per turn, it extends the relevance of instant-speed interaction in the game, as players must be more strategic about when to cast their single spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Deafening Silence does not require you to discard, it restricts players to casting only one noncreature spell each turn, potentially forcing them to discard excess spells if they exceed hand size limits.

Specific Mana Cost: Deafening Silence requires white mana, which can limit its incorporation into multicolor decks that may not prioritize white mana or have consistent access to it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only one white mana may seem low, in formats where efficiency is paramount, investing in a card that doesn’t immediately affect the board might be considered a significant commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deafening Silence offers a unique edge in decks that aim to limit opponents’ actions. It is especially potent in formats where spells are pivotal, fitting well into sideboards to adjust strategies mid-game.

Combo Potential: This card works harmoniously with tactics aiming to restrict or tax opponents’ abilities to cast noncreature spells, thereby enhancing control and stax-type strategies within a player’s arsenal.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where storm or other spell-heavy combos are prevalent, Deafening Silence acts as a preventive measure, making it a relevant sideboard choice for competitive play.


How to beat

Deafening Silence is an intriguing white enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that puts a hard limit on noncreature spellcasting. This card enforces a significant constraint where each player can’t cast more than one noncreature spell each turn. To overcome this restriction, incorporating a mix of creature-based strategies in your deck can prove highly effective. Additionally, prioritizing the removal of enchantments through naturalize effects or presenting multiple threats in a single turn can put pressure on an opponent relying on Deafening Silence.

Playing around Deafening Silence involves strategizing with instant-speed spells on your opponent’s turn. This tactic maximizes your allowed noncreature spells and can effectively bypass the limitation. Moreover, consider using versatile creatures that have abilities mimicking noncreature spells, such as modal creatures with multiple options or creatures that can bring noncreature spells back from the graveyard. By adapting your game and having a flexible strategy in place, you can mitigate the impact of Deafening Silence on your ability to execute your game plan.

Understanding how to navigate the constraints of Deafening Silence is crucial for high-level play. Adjusting your approach and incorporating enchantment removal or shifting towards creature-focused strategies will keep your deck competitive even in the face of this powerful, game-altering card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is about adapting to new challenges and employing cards that shape the battlefield to your favor. Deafening Silence might just be the piece your deck is looking for to gain an upper hand against spell-heavy opponents. Its specialized nature makes it a formidable tool, especially as part of a well-tuned sideboard. If you’re aiming to fortify your strategies and learn more about leveraging enchantments like Deafening Silence in your matches, our platform is the beacon you need. Enhanced strategies and in-depth card analysis await—step into a world where every card counts and elevate your game with wisdom from BurnMana.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deafening Silence MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Deafening Silence and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deafening Silence Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 102015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12192015NormalBorderlessRope Arrow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deafening Silence has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-10-04 Deafening Silence will look at the entire turn to see if a player has cast a noncreature spell yet that turn, even if Deafening Silence wasn't on the battlefield when that spell was cast. Notably, you can't cast Deafening Silence and then cast another noncreature spell that turn.
2019-10-04 If you cast a noncreature spell that was countered, you can't cast another noncreature spell that turn.
2019-10-04 Players may cast any number of creature spells plus one noncreature spell each turn.