Dispense Justice MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Metalcraft |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Number | 5 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Austin Hsu |
Text of card
Target player sacrifices an attacking creature. Metalcraft — That player sacrifices two attacking creatures instead if you control three or more artifacts.
The Accorders never strike first, but they always strike back.
Cards like Dispense Justice
In Magic: The Gathering, Dispense Justice serves as an intriguing take on creature control. Its close relative, Condemn, also offers a means to deal with attacking creatures. However, Dispense Justice provides a distinct advantage by potentially removing two attackers if you control three or more artifacts, aligning well with artifact-heavy decks. Unlike Condemn, it does not offer life-gain to the opponent nor does it tuck the creature away into the library, instead, it dispatches them outright to the graveyard.
Examine then Gideon’s Reproach, which deals direct damage to an attacking or blocking creature. Like Dispense Justice, it is instant-speed interaction, but it lacks the conditional two-for-one possibility, hinging purely on damage dealt rather than straight removal. Lastly, there’s Reprisal, eliminating only those creatures with power 4 or greater without the need for an attack trigger, yielding a more general removal option.
Evaluating Dispense Justice within the scope of similar spells, it emerges as a tactical choice for players who synergize with artifacts, providing a potent defense mechanism that can sway the battle in their favor on the fly.
Cards similar to Dispense Justice by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dispense Justice delivers a strategic edge in control decks by potentially removing multiple threats with a single card. Removing more than one creature for just one card can tilt the game’s balance in your favor, maintaining your momentum during more complex plays.
Resource Acceleration: While Dispense Justice itself does not directly provide mana or treasure tokens, its low casting cost aids in preserving resources. This, in turn, can expedite your overall game plan, allowing you to play other resource-accelerating cards or keep mana free for further actions.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Dispense Justice at instant speed offers significant flexibility. You can navigate through your opponent’s turn with adaptability, holding back mana to either cast this spell or respond to other threats as needed. This reactive posture can give you the upper hand, as opponents must consider the possibility of this removal lurking in your hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dispense Justice doesn’t ask players to discard any cards directly, but holding onto it might indirectly force you to retain cards in your hand you’d rather play, thus limiting your in-game options.
Specific Mana Cost: Dispense Justice requires a particular blend of mana—two generic and one white—making it less versatile for decks that aren’t committed to white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, Dispense Justice competes with various removal options. This cost is particularly steep when you consider that the spell’s additional benefit only triggers when you are attacked by multiple creatures.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dispense Justice offers a unique way to deal with your opponents’ creatures. It’s perfect for decks that need some form of control without committing to a full suite of removal spells. Its ability to target an attacking creature makes it a flexible option in your defensive strategy.
Combo Potential: This card really shines when you have a way to manipulate the number of artifacts you control. Coupled with cards that benefit from sacrificing or having artifacts on the battlefield, Dispense Justice can become a tool for a more intricate combo that can swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prevalent, having a card that can potentially remove multiple threats can be crucial. This adds a reactive layer to your arsenal and can disrupt an opponent’s tempo. Its inclusion can be a tactical response that aligns well with the current competitive scene.
How to beat Dispense Justice
Dispense Justice is a control tool that offers a tactical edge in the realm of creature removal. Unlike universal removals like Murder, which outright eliminates a target creature, Dispense Justice adds a strategic layer by giving the opponent a choice. This can be turned to an advantage if approached correctly.
The most straightforward method to weather the effect of Dispense Justice is by maintaining a wide board presence. Since this card forces a player to sacrifice an attacking creature, having multiple attackers reduces the impact of losing just one. Also, consider running creatures with indestructible or regeneration abilities, which can effectively nullify the sacrifice clause. Utilizing hexproof creatures or spells that grant temporary hexproof can also be a sound strategy to maintain your board against this removal.
Playing around an opponent’s mana and potential use of Dispense Justice is also key. Since it’s an instant, being mindful of when to attack and deploying threats when the opponent’s mana is tied up can minimize its effectiveness. In summary, while Dispense Justice adds a wrinkle to gameplay, thoughtful play and deck building can help mitigate its influence on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dispense Justice MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Dispense Justice 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dispense Justice has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dispense Justice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | The targeted player chooses which attacking creature(s) to sacrifice as Dispense Justice resolves. |