Swift Silence MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Number	132
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Swift Silence excels by countering multiple spells and providing card advantage, crucial for control strategies.
Its specific and high mana cost can limit its use, requiring a strong mana base or a particular deck structure.
Competing with other counters, it adds mass disruption, setting it apart from cards like Absorb and Dovin’s Veto.

Text of card

Counter all other spells. Draw a card for each spell countered this way.

"This world may not know peace, but in my presence you *will* know quiet." —Augustin IV

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Swift Silence provides a dual benefit by not only interrupting your opponent’s strategy but also drawing you cards, helping you stay ahead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although this card does not directly accelerate resources, the cards drawn can potentially lead to mana-producing spells or actions that elevate your game pace.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Swift Silence shines at instant speed, offering the element of surprise and allowing players to disrupt opponents’ turns while remaining reactive to unfolding plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Swift Silence requires you to have the card in your hand when an opponent casts a spell, which might not always be timely, reducing the chance of maximizing its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Swift Silence is quite demanding, with two white and two blue mana, which restricts it primarily to decks that have a strong mana base in both these colors, limiting its versatility in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost set at five, including two specific colors, Swift Silence can be a weighty draw especially in the early game where establishing board presence is often critical. There may be more mana-efficient counterspells or disruption options available that provide similar effects without the steep cost.

Reasons to Include Swift Silence in Your Collection

Versatility: Swift Silence delivers a powerful control option that can intercept an opponent’s plans at a crucial moment. Suitable for various control and combo decks, it can be a surprise element in games, potentially swinging the tide in your favor.

Combo Potential: When integrated into a deck built around spellcasting and counters, this card represents not only a defense mechanism but also a means to disrupt and dismantle opponent’s key plays while drawing cards – a perfect complement to strategies that capitalize on casting and nullification.

Meta-Relevance: Given that dynamic metagames often revolve around stack-based interactions, having Swift Silence on hand can be instrumental in matchups where countering crucial spells can make all the difference in maintaining control over the game’s pace and outcome.

How to Beat Swift Silence

Swift Silence is an intriguing counter card in Magic the Gathering, serving a double purpose; not only does it counter a spell, but it also lets the caster draw cards equal to the number of spells countered this way. To effectively navigate around Swift Silence, players need to adopt a tactical approach. Consider baiting out the counter with less critical spells or waiting until your opponent is low on mana. Keeping in mind its relatively high casting cost, this can often present an opening to play more impactful cards without fear of being silenced.

Diversifying your threats can also dilute the effectiveness of Swift Silence. By playing a mix of creatures, enchantments, and instants, you force your opponent to make tough decisions on when to use their counter. Additionally, spells that can’t be countered or using abilities instead of casting spells can circumvent Swift Silence altogether. Cards like Cavern of Souls or utilizing creatures with flash to play on your opponent’s turn can significantly weaken the impact of Swift Silence on your game strategy.

Ultimately, understanding when to commit your important spells and having a versatile game plan can mitigate the potency of Swift Silence, allowing you to maintain tempo and pressure on your opponent without the fear of having your spells negated and your opponent drawing cards in the process.

Cards like Swift Silence

The intricacies of control strategies in Magic: The Gathering often rely on cards like Swift Silence that can disrupt an opponent’s plays. Similar to other counter spells such as Absorb, Swift Silence not only ends an opponent’s spell but also offers a card-drawing perk. Absorb grants a straightforward advantage of life gain but lacks the additional card draw effect. Counterflux is another sibling in this category, it’s well-regarded for its uncounterable trait, yet it doesn’t provide the card draw or the multi-spell interruption Swift Silence delivers.

Dovin’s Veto also stands in this league, bringing to the table an uncounterable nature for its cost, and it’s efficient in handling single spells with precision. On the contrary, Swift Silence adds a layer of utility by addressing multiple spells at once, which can prove to be game-changing during a stack-full of spells. Nevertheless, Dovin’s Veto’s lower casting cost can be more practical in early-game scenarios where conserving mana is crucial.

Considering the landscape of countermagic in Magic: The Gathering, Swift Silence offers a unique combination of mass disruption and card advantage, making it a distinct option for players constructing decks around these themes.

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

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Swift Silence MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Swift Silence and other MTG cards: