Dismal Failure MTG Card

Dismal Failure’s ability to counter and discard disrupts opponent strategies, offering dual utility. The card’s specific mana cost can limit deck versatility and impacts deck construction decisions. Its unique interaction with the stack and hand makes it a tactical choice in control decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2007-02-02
Set symbol
Set name	Planar Chaos
Set code	PLC
Number	39
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Scott

Text of card

Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card.

"Two magi could trade spells all day and never crown a victor. The real battle is not one of power but of will. If your confidence breaks, so too shall you." —Venser

Cards like Dismal Failure

The Dismal Failure card presents an intriguing blend of counterplay and forced card disposal, inviting comparisons to an array of similar options within the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering. Dismal Failure is often paralleled with Counterspell, a base-level card that simply negates a spell with no additional repercussions. Where Dismal Failure stands out is in mandating the spellcaster to discard a card, adding a layer to the punishment of having a spell countered.

In the same realm, we might consider the card Perplex for comparison. While its primary function serves as a counter unless a player discards their hand, it offers an alternative transmute ability, which is absent in Dismal Failure. Conversely, we find Remand, a less punishing counter that returns the spell to the owner’s hand and lets the caster draw a card, thus providing less immediate board advantage compared to Dismal Failure’s discard stipulation.

Dismal Failure then leaves its own mark within MTG’s counter and discard cards. It stands as a tactical option, combining the deterrent effect of a spell counter with the strategic upside of dwindling an opponent’s hand, which can pivot the game’s momentum in your favor.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dismal Failure provides a dual effect of countering a spell while simultaneously forcing the opponent to discard a card, potentially stripping away their options and giving you an edge in hand superiority.

Resource Acceleration: While Dismal Failure doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the disruption it causes can indirectly lead to resource advantage by setting your opponent back and keeping you ahead in the race for board presence.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Dismal Failure can be deployed at the most opportune moment, keeping your opponents guessing and offering the flexibility to disrupt their strategies during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Dismal Failure card demands a player to discard another card, making it potentially taxing in situations where card count is crucial to maintain an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting requirements include both blue and black mana, necessitating access to both these color resources, which could restrict its integration into more color-diverse decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana, including both specific colors, can be considered steep for its effect, particularly when compared to other counter spells in the game that may offer similar functionality at a lesser or more flexible cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dismal Failure offers a unique blend of counterspell and disruption that has a place in control decks or any blue-inclined spell-focused strategy. Its ability to thwart opponents’ plans while simultaneously clearing their hand of threats is invaluable.

Combo Potential: In decks that manipulate opponents’ hands or capitalize on casting spells from the graveyard, this card becomes even more effective. It offers synergies with cards that benefit from opponents discarding cards or spells being countered.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where stack interaction is crucial or where discard mechanics are at a premium, Dismal Failure becomes a strategic inclusion. It can shift the tide against combo decks and prevent pivotal plays while disrupting hand dynamics.

How to beat

Dismal Failure is a unique blue instant in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a dual ability to counter a target spell and then compel its caster to discard a card. This can be a significant setback when facing crucial spells you rely upon for your game strategy. To effectively navigate this card’s disruptive powers, consider using spells that either can’t be countered or employ tactics that provide multiple threats at once, overwhelming the opponent’s ability to address them all.

One strategy entails the use of cards with the keyword “uncounterable” which ensures that your key spells resolve no matter what countermagic your rival has in hand. Additionally, employing a swarm strategy with numerous low-cost creatures could dilute the impact of Dismal Failure, as discarding a single card becomes less detrimental when your deck is designed to efficiently put multiple threats on the board.

Fundamentally, a tight manabase and strategic sequencing of spells can diminish the impact of Dismal Failure. Restrict your casting to moments when the opponent is tapped out or doesn’t have enough mana to cast their counter. This way, you can preserve your valuable cards and maintain momentum despite their disruptive attempts.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dismal Failure MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos, 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 Dismal Failure and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dismal Failure has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal