Deal Gone Bad MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 74
2024-02-23 - Number 110
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Mill |
Text of card
Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. Target player mills three cards. (They put the top three cards of their library into their graveyard.)
"Feed the rumor mills with delicious treachery. Bad blood between those two is a good deal for us." —Kamiz, Obscura Oculus
Cards like Deal Gone Bad
Deal Gone Bad is an intriguing new option for MTG players looking to disrupt their opponent’s hand while refueling their own strategies. Its closest cousin might be Blightning, which also involves discarding and deals damage but doesn’t offer the card draw that Deal Gone Bad provides. This gives Deal Gone Bad a unique edge in maintaining card advantage.
When considering alternatives, Hymn to Tourach also comes to mind. Although it forces an opponent to discard two cards at random, it lacks the card draw component, making Deal Gone Bad the more versatile choice for refilling your hand. Another comparable card is Mind Rot, which targets your opponent’s hand as well, but once again misses the opportunity to draw new cards, hitching Deal Gone Bad ahead in terms of overall potential value.
Each card has its place depending on the deck’s strategy and the game’s context, but it’s the blend of disruption and card draw that sets Deal Gone Bad apart in the landscape of hand-attack spells, creating a fine balance between offense and self-benefit.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Deal Gone Bad supports card superiority by providing the option to discard one unwanted card in exchange for two new ones. This swap can be a decisive move to pull ahead in a match by refreshing your hand.
Resource Acceleration: The card’s ability to create Treasure tokens directly translates into a swift increase in available resources. This influx can significantly enhance your capability to cast more expensive spells ahead of schedule, effectively outpacing your opponent.
Instant Speed: The instant nature of Deal Gone Bad grants the flexibility to react to game developments efficiently. Using it during an opponent’s end step means holding back resources for potential interaction and yet not missing the opportunity to optimize your own strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Deal Gone Bad involves discarding a card, which could deplete your hand and reduce your options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Deal Gone Bad requires both black and red mana, restricting it to multicolored decks and potentially causing mana fixing issues.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s somewhat steep for its effect, players might find other spells that offer similar or better results with lower mana demands.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Deal Gone Bad complements a wide array of decks, finding its place effortlessly among strategies requiring card selection and disruption. Its ability to affect both hands makes it adaptable in various play scenarios.
Combo Potential: Offering both disruption and the chance to draw a card, this card can be a pivotal part of combos that revolve around hand manipulation or benefit from cycling through the deck quickly.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where keeping your opponent off-balance is key, Deal Gone Bad can serve as an essential tool to disrupt their plays while simultaneously bolstering your own game plan.
How to Beat
Deal Gone Bad is a nuanced card in the strategy-rich environment of Magic: The Gathering. Players often face it across the table due to its disruptive nature, challenging them to find effective countermeasures. Essentially, it offers the player an opportunity to exchange their hand, which can disrupt well-laid plans or strategies mid-game. It is, therefore, key to understand how to deal with this card when it surfaces during play.
Anticipating the casting of Deal Gone Bad can be just as critical as responding to it. Proper deck construction with built-in redundancies can mitigate the impact, as can maintaining a flexible strategy that doesn’t rely too heavily on specific cards. Additionally, holding onto instant-speed reactions that can be played in response to Deal Gone Bad allows you to lessen the impact on your game plan. Holding back on playing your key cards if you suspect your opponent might disrupt your hand with Deal Gone Bad is another approach to preserve your resources and maintain control over the game.
To summarize, while Deal Gone Bad presents a challenging scenario, through anticipation, strategic deck building, and reserved gameplay, you can minimize its negative effects and keep your strategy on track. Staying adaptable is the best way to beat this curveball of a card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Deal Gone Bad MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Deal Gone Bad 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
Printings
The Deal Gone Bad Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Mathias Kollros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 110 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Deal Gone Bad has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |