Deft Dismissal MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2017-01-20 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Aether Revolt |
| Set code | AER |
| Number | 17 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Izzy |
Text of card
Deft Dismissal deals 3 damage divided as you choose among one, two, or three target attacking or blocking creatures.
"With spy thopters all around, how can the consuls be so blind to Tezzeret's manipulations?" —Gideon Jura
Understanding Deft Dismissal’s Role
Deft Dismissal forges its unique path among removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, providing a strategic edge in dealing with multiple creatures. It invites comparison to other versatile removal cards like Blessed Alliance, which similarly offers a choice in how it is utilized. While Blessed Alliance can compel opponents to sacrifice attacking creatures, Deft Dismissal instead tactically distributes damage, potentially affecting the board more broadly. Unlike Deft Dismissal, Blessed Alliance also has the added versatility of life gain or untapping creatures, which makes it situationally more flexible.
Cards like Deft Dismissal
When perusing the landscape of creature interaction spells, Dromoka’s Command also comes into focus as a contender. This command spell, persuasive in its flexibility, allows for not just one, but two choices to be made at a lesser cost. Different from Deft Dismissal’s ability to impact several creatures, Dromoka’s Command can be used to bolster your creatures while simultaneously hindering an opponent’s play. Then again, though Dromoka’s Command could prevent damage, it doesn’t directly deal damage as Deft Dismissal does, which is more straightforward in resolving multifaceted threats.
Through the lens of gameplay dynamics, Deft Dismissal holds its own. It provides players with the tactical opportunity to manage multiple creatures, a valuable option in any MTG player’s arsenal, weighed against similar spells in its class.
Cards similar to Deft Dismissal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Deft Dismissal shines by providing a versatile mechanism to help maintain card parity. By potentially removing multiple creatures, it allows a player to neutralize various threats without dipping into additional resources from their hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Deft Dismissal isn’t a direct source of ramp or resources, it indirectly accelerates your game plan by disrupting opponents’ board states, freeing up the pathway for an unimpeded offense or defense depending on your strategy.
Instant Speed: One of the most critical aspects of Deft Dismissal is its instant speed, offering the strategic advantage of surprise and flexibility. This allows a player to navigate complex board states during an opponent’s turn, making it a formidable tool in the arsenal of reactive plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Deft Dismissal doesn’t force a discard upon casting, keeping your hand intact for strategic plays.
Specific Mana Cost: While the cost of Deft Dismissal is limited to white mana and generic, it requires a precise combination which may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deft Dismissal’s mana cost is on the higher side for its impact on the game, making it a less favorable option when alternatives could provide similar effects for less.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Deft Dismissal offers players a flexible option for handling multiple threats on the board. Its ability to target up to three creatures makes it a practical choice for diverse deck types, fitting in everywhere from control decks to midrange builds seeking to stabilize the board.
Combo Potential: Not only does Deft Dismissal serve as a defensive measure, but it can also work synergistically with decks that capitalize on targeted removal effects. This card can integrate well with strategies that leverage creature abilities upon dealing damage or spells that incentivize targeting opponents’ creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with aggressive creature decks, Deft Dismissal can be a crucial sideboard card. It’s capable of disrupting opponent’s momentum and clearing a path for victory against swarm strategies or to protect your key creatures from combat tricks and removals.
How to beat
Deft Dismissal can put Magic: The Gathering players in a tricky spot with its ability to pick off multiple creatures. This puts a lot of value on instant-speed interaction and creature diversification. To counter this card effectively, you want to have creatures with different powers, as Deft Dismissal’s damage spread will be less effective. Utilizing cards that can grant hexproof or indestructible to your creatures for a turn can also be a decisive move, as it renders the Deft Dismissal’s effect essentially moot.
Holding counterspells or instant-speed removal in hand gives you a chance to respond and protect your key creatures from being targeted. Additionally, including resilient creatures in your deck that can withstand such removal or outpace the damage, like those with higher toughness, are excellent tools in your arsenal. Building a strategy that can outlast and adapt to board-wiping cards such as Deft Dismissal will go a long way in securing your victory on the battlefield.
By understanding the mechanics and most vulnerable points of Deft Dismissal, players can cleverly construct their decks to weaken its impact, ensuring their creatures survive to fight another turn.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Deft Dismissal MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt, 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 Deft Dismissal 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 Deft Dismissal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Deft Dismissal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | If some (but not all) of the targets become illegal, the original division of damage still applies, but no damage is dealt to illegal targets. If all targets become illegal, Deft Dismissal doesn’t resolve. |
| 2017-02-09 | You choose how many targets Deft Dismissal has and how the damage is divided as you cast the spell. Each target must receive at least 1 damage. |