Sphere of Resistance MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage by taxing opponents, making their spells costlier and play fewer each turn.
  2. Boosts resource acceleration in artifact-centric decks, counting towards mechanisms like Mox Opal.
  3. Universal applicability allows inclusion in various decks, proving disruptive regardless of strategy.

Text of card

All spells cost an additional o1 to play.

A sphere pushes equally in all directions.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Sphere of Resistance itself won’t net you cards directly, it is masterful in disrupting the card economy of your opponents. They will often need to pay more for their spells, effectively reducing the number of cards they can play in a turn, providing you with a passive yet powerful card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: In decks designed to capitalize on artifact synergies, the Sphere of Resistance can serve as a valuable asset. Its constant presence on the battlefield contributes to the overall artifact count, which might be crucial for powering up mechanisms of resource acceleration found in cards like Mox Opal or leveraging cost reductions from cards like Etherium Sculptor.

Instant Speed: Although the Sphere of Resistance is a permanent that operates at sorcery speed, its ability to tax opponent’s spells is relevant at instant speed. Whenever your opponent attempts to play spells on their turn or yours, they will need to factor in the additional cost imposed by the Sphere, which can be disruptive to strategies relying on timing and instant speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sphere of Resistance does not directly require a discard, it increases the cost of spells which might pressure a player’s mana resources, potentially forcing them to discard for lack of ability to cast spells on curve.

Specific Mana Cost: Sphere of Resistance requires two generic mana, which is manageable, but could be a setback in the early game when trying to establish a board presence or execute a quick strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Sphere of Resistance isn’t the most expensive artifact, but in fast-paced formats where efficiency is key, even a two-mana cost can be considered high for a non-immediate impact on the board.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sphere of Resistance offers the ability to hinder opponents’ pace by making all their spells cost more. This effect is not tied to a specific strategy, allowing it to be incorporated into a multitude of deck types ranging from control to stax builds.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that aim to limit resource availability for opponents while you advance unaffected, potentially using cards that decrease the cost of your spells or benefit from opponents casting fewer spells each turn.

Meta-Relevance: With constantly evolving metagames, Sphere of Resistance has proven to be an enduring staple, particularly in formats where faster combo or storm decks can dominate. By increasing spell costs, it slows down such decks, giving you the upper hand.


How to beat

Sphere of Resistance is an influential artifact in MTG, known for making all spells cost more to cast. Encountering it in a match can significantly slow down your strategy. To circumvent this taxing effect, direct removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize can dismantle this artifact, allowing your spells to return to their original cost. Having a game plan that includes artifact removal is key against decks that utilize Sphere of Resistance.

Another approach to overcome this obstacle is to focus on land-based strategies. Spells like Rampant Growth or Sakura-Tribe Elder can help you accelerate your mana resources without the tax imposed by the Sphere. Activated abilities from creatures or lands circumvent the tax as well, providing you with an alternative to cast spells. Therefore, decks with a heavy focus on land ramp or creature abilities are less hindered by Sphere of Resistance.

It’s crucial to adapt your playstyle and be prepared for taxing strategies. Flexibility and a well-constructed sideboard equipped with artifact interaction can help ensure the Sphere’s effect is transient, maintaining your deck’s fluidity and tempo throughout the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Having delved into the mechanics and strategies surrounding Sphere of Resistance, the card’s impact on gameplay is clear. It offers a strategic edge, reshaping the game by making every spell a heftier investment for your opponents. By understanding its pros and cons, you can deploy it effectively or counter it when you face it across the table. If you’re eager to incorporate such a versatile player into your deck or refine your approach to overcome it, we can guide you. Sphere of Resistance is a gamechanger worth mastering. Ready to deepen your knowledge and command the battlefield with confidence? Let us assist you in unlocking the full potential of your MTG collection.


Cards like Sphere of Resistance

Sphere of Resistance stands as a pillar of stax strategies within Magic the Gathering, presenting a simple yet impactful dynamic: making all spells cost more to cast. This resemblance to Thalia, Guardian of Thraben is undeniable. Thalia affects only noncreature spells, targeting a more specific segment of an opponent’s arsenal, whereas Sphere of Resistance broadens its impact across the board.

Another parallel can be drawn with Lodestone Golem. Both make spells more expensive; however, Lodestone Golem is a creature that can be removed more easily, while Sphere of Resistance is a resilient artifact. There’s also Trinisphere, a related artifact that ensures every spell costs at least three mana to cast. Though similar to Sphere of Resistance, Trinisphere can sometimes have a more restricting effect on the early game tempo.

The essentiality of Sphere of Resistance in certain decks lies in its universal application and its ability to disrupt deck strategies that rely on low-costing spells. Its consistent performance makes it a valuable component, certainly when compared to cards with situational advantages or inherent weaknesses associated with their card type.

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Golem - MTG Card versions
Trinisphere - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Golem - MTG Card versions
Trinisphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sphere of Resistance by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sphere of Resistance MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1999, 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 Sphere of Resistance and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Sphere of Resistance Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2016-09-30. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 1391997NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
21999-08-04World Championship Decks 1999WC99 js139sb1997NormalGoldDoug Chaffee
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2842015NormalBlackDoug Chaffee
42016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 472015NormalBlackRichard Wright

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sphere of Resistance has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sphere of Resistance 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 It affects all players, including you.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks