Dissipate MTG Card


Instant speed enables reactive play, countering spells when most impactful and strategically advantageous. Three mana cost, including one blue, may limit usage but ensures powerful control over spell interactions. Exile effect of Dissipate prevents graveyard strategies, making it a valuable asset against recurring threats.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Counter target spell. Remove that spell card from the game.

"If you weren't born with it, you don't need it." —Grahilah, former trader of Amiqat


Cards like Dissipate

Dissipate, an intriguing counter spell in Magic: The Gathering, has similarities to others in its category, such as Cancel. Like Dissipate, Cancel counters target spell, yet lacks the exiling caveat that sets Dissipate apart. Its ability to exile countered spells from play prevents any possible return, a crucial difference in play strategy.

Another similar card is Mana Leak. Like Dissipate, it counteracts a spell but instead of exiling it, presents an additional cost challenge to the opponent. Even though it’s cheaper to cast, Mana Leak’s effect can be negated if the opponent has extra mana, lessening its impact compared to Dissipate.

Syncopate is a further card to consider, which also counters and exiles spells, but offers more flexibility due to its X mana cost. This allows for more strategic play, yet can come at a higher overall cost.

To summarize, when comparing attributes and evaluating alternatives, Dissipate holds a key position among counter spells in Magic: The Gathering, due to its beneficial exile component which disrupts opponents’ plans more effectively.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Syncopate - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Syncopate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dissipate by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Thunderheads - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Thunderheads - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dissipate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Esper ControlEsper Control StandardEsper ControlThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Dimir Ensoul ArtifactDimir Ensoul Artifact PioneerDimir Ensoul ArtifactPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-02
Azorius ControlAzorius Control StandardAzorius ControlThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
JeffJeff Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Dimir ControlDimir Control StandardDimir ControlJaffer's Mini Mosh - Standard
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control StandardJeskai ControlBOP! Standard Open
Bant ControlBant Control StandardBant ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024
Izzet ControlIzzet Control StandardIzzet ControlThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Bant FestivalBant Festival StandardBant ControlThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists StandardAzorius ControlBLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dissipate provides a distinct edge in card advantage by countering an opponent’s spell and ensuring that it doesn’t return to their game, thus denying any recursion strategy they might have been planning. This makes Dissipate a valuable card in control decks that rely on preventing opponents from executing their strategies effectively.

Resource Acceleration: While Dissipate doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, its ability to remove threats can indirectly lead to resource superiority. By countering a game-changing spell, you can maintain your position and resources while potentially hampering your opponent’s board development.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Dissipate allows you to be reactive to your opponent’s turns. It can be executed anytime you have the required mana available, thereby making it a solid deterrent to any instant or sorcery your opponent might consider casting. The ability to use it at the optimal moment significantly improves its strategic value.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dissipate doesn’t require a discard, but it does require three mana resources to be cast. This can be an issue if you are constrained on resources given its comparatively high mana cost.

Specific Mana Cost: The cost to play Dissipate includes one specific blue mana. This restriction may limit its integration and use to decks heavily reliant on blue mana or multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a counter spell, Dissipate costs three mana, including one that must be blue. While it counters any spell and exiles it instead of putting it into a graveyard, there are other counter spells in MTG that are more efficient as they cost less mana.


Reasons to Include Dissipate in Your Collection

Versatility: Dissipate is a versatile card that finds its way into a multitude of decks. It benefits all deck archetypes, especially those focusing on control strategies. Its capacity to counter any spell while exiling it prevents replay, making Dissipate a reliable card in both offensive and defensive tactics.

Combo Potential: The strength of Dissipate substantially increases when paired with other cards for powerful combos. It’s excellent in decks that capitalize on casting or countering spells, synergizing effectively with cards that reward you whenever a spell is countered.

Meta-Relevance: In the current MTG meta game, full of powerful spells, Dissipate is particularly potent. It offers control players an impactful response to threats by not only countering the spell but also banishing it, thereby eliminating any graveyard interactions. Hence, its relevance and utility remain significant.


How to beat

Dissipate is a distinctive inclusion in the realm of counter spells in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to Mana Leak, another counter spell, requiring the opponent to pay additional mana to avoid the counter. Yet, Dissipate stands out with its integral exile effect, removing the countered spell completely from the game.

In the same sphere, we stumble across Spell Pierce. Just like Dissipate, it introduces an additional mana cost for the opponent. But it’s less expensive, and it doesn’t exile; it simply counters unless the opponent pays extra. The exile effect, in contrast, is what makes Dissipate powerful and feared.

Assert Authority is another potential comparison. Like Dissipate, it can exile the countered spell but it requires a significant amount of mana, making it less efficient. It’s a key difference, as the speed of game progression could decelerate vis-a-vis a universally useful spell like Dissipate.

Ultimately, when analyzing specific characteristics and gauging the potency of different choices, Dissipate holds a considerable position among counter spells in Magic: The Gathering, owing to its potent combination of counter and exile effects.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dissipate’s uniqueness in MTG not only stems from its spell-countering capability but from the additional layer of permanent exile, setting it apart in any control deck’s arsenal. While its mana cost is a consideration, the strategic value it brings to the table by prohibiting graveyard returns could be the pivot for victory. For players who appreciate the nuanced dance of resource management and opponent disruption, Dissipate is a must-have. We encourage seekers of deck refinement and those aiming to thwart reanimation strategies to delve deeper with us. Ready to enhance your strategy? Explore with BurnMana to unleash the full potential of Dissipate.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dissipate MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Dissipate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dissipate Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 611997NormalBlackRichard Kane Ferguson
21997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 pm61sb1997NormalGoldRichard Kane Ferguson
31998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb611997NormalGoldRichard Kane Ferguson
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 359961997NormalBlackRichard Kane Ferguson
52011-09-30InnistradISD 532003NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
62012-09-07Duel Decks: Izzet vs. GolgariDDJ 252003NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
72014-07-18Magic 2015M15 512015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
82021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 492015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
92022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 492015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dissipate has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dissipate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 If the spell is not countered (because the spell it targets can't be countered), then it does not get exiled.
2004-10-04 The card does not go to the graveyard before being exiled.