Compelling Deterrence MTG Card
2016-02-26 - Number 42
2016-04-08 - Number 52
2023-03-21 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Strategically, it disrupts opponents by bouncing permanents and potentially forcing discards.
- Instant speed casting provides flexibility and surprise elements in gameplay.
- Limited by the need for a Zombie to unlock its full potential and specific mana cost.
Text of card
Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Then that player discards a card if you control a Zombie.
"So much for neighborly hospitality!"
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Compelling Deterrence provides an avenue to disrupt your opponent’s battlefield presence while potentially netting a card from their hand, making it an impactful card advantage tool when the right conditions are met.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, it can set your opponent back by forcing a replay of their threats, indirectly giving you a tempo advantage that can be leveraged for resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Compelling Deterrence at instant speed offers great flexibility, allowing players to respond to threats or actions immediately, keeping mana open for strategic plays and catching opponents off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside of Compelling Deterrence is that to take full advantage of its capabilities, an opponent must discard a card only if you control a Zombie. Without a Zombie, it loses some of its utility, making it situational and potentially less valuable in non-Zombie decks.
Specific Mana Cost: Compelling Deterrence requires both a blue mana and a generic mana, which can pose a restriction. This mana specificity could be a limiting factor in decks that aren’t primarily blue or that have mana bases stretched between too many colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing two mana isn’t exorbitant, in the realm of instant disruption, there may be alternatives with lower costs. Therefore, the mana investment for the effect of returning a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand might be considered steep compared to other options in the format that perform similar roles for less.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Compelling Deterrence shines in a variety of decks, notably those that can capitalize on instant-speed interaction. Its ability to return a non-land permanent to its owner’s hand makes it a flexible tool for disrupting opponent strategies.
Combo Potential: This card also works well in decks that manipulate the number of zombie creatures on the board. Its added ability to force a discard when you control a zombie can synergize with other graveyard and zombie-themed cards to create potent combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game-state where tempo plays a crucial role, Compelling Deterrence offers a cost-effective method to set opponents back. In formats where maintaining momentum is key, this card is a strategic addition to maintain control of the game.
How to beat
Compelling Deterrence is a unique tool in Magic: The Gathering’s array of interactive spells. Its ability to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand and potentially force a discard makes it a versatile nuisance. To effectively navigate against it, understanding the conditions that enhance its power is crucial. Firstly, take note that its discard clause only triggers if the caster has a Zombie on the board, making it possible to circumvent the discard by managing the board state and keeping it clear of Zombie creatures.
Moreover, the timing of Compelling Deterrence is also a point of contention. Given that it’s an instant, an anticipated approach is to play less critical spells when the opponent has open mana, baiting out the Deterrence on a suboptimal target. Additionally, having an array of redundant or less valuable permanents can mitigate the loss caused by the bounce effect. Lastly, utilizing the maximum hand size to your advantage or investing in cards that offer card advantage can help maintain resource parity even if a discard is forced upon you.
By examining these strategies and adapting to the situation on the battlefield, players can dampen the impact of Compelling Deterrence and maintain their position in the game.
Cards like Compelling Deterrence
Compelling Deterrence offers a unique blend of utility within Magic: The Gathering’s roster of control spells. It shares conceptual similarities with the classic Unsummon, allowing players to temporarily remove a creature from the battlefield. Yet, it distinguishes itself by giving the added benefit of forcing a discard if you control a Zombie, adding a strategic layer that Unsummon lacks.
Another relative in the realm of bounce spells is Vapor Snag, which directs the setback more personally by also inflicting life loss. Like Compelling Deterrence, Vapor Snag is cost-efficient, but it doesn’t offer the discard clause, leaving it slightly less versatile in decks that capitalize on opponent hand disruption. Into the Roil deserves recognition as well; though it costs more, it presents the advantage of a kicker effect that could draw a card, offering both removal and card advantage.
In defining a card’s role within the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering interactions, Compelling Deterrence carves out its niche. It becomes particularly potent in decks revolving around Zombie synergy, elevating it beyond a mere creature bounce to a tool that can impact both the battlefield and the psychological game by attacking the opponent’s hand resources.
Cards similar to Compelling Deterrence by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Compelling Deterrence MTG card by a specific set like Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Compelling Deterrence and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Compelling Deterrence Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-02-26 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Seb McKinnon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Compelling Deterrence has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Compelling Deterrence card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | Compelling Deterrence targets only the nonland permanent. If that permanent becomes an illegal target, Compelling Deterrence doesn’t resolve and that player doesn’t discard a card. |
| 2016-04-08 | If you target the only Zombie you control with Compelling Deterrence, you won’t discard a card. |
| 2016-04-08 | The card returned to its owner’s hand may be the card they discard. If it’s the only card in that player’s hand, it must be discarded. |
