Memory Lapse MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 21 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Memory Lapse is a control card that delays opponents’ plans without granting card advantage.
  2. The card is mana-specific, favoring blue or multicolored decks, possibly limiting its use.
  3. Despite its cost and non-discard effect, it’s a versatile and meta-relevant addition to decks.

Text of card

Counter target spell. Put that spell on top of its owner's library.

"Oh, I had a conscience once. But alas, I seem to have forgotten where I put it." —Chandler


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Memory Lapse shines by effectively countering a spell while also forcing your opponent to draw that same card again next turn, delaying their new draws and strategic advances.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or resources, Memory Lapse can be a temporal form of acceleration. By setting your opponent back, you maintain or enhance your resource superiority.

Instant Speed: Memory Lapse’s strength is amplified by its instant speed, allowing you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s key plays during their turn, keeping you in a reactive and advantageous position.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Utilizing Memory Lapse requires both blue mana, which could restrict its use primarily to blue or multicolored decks, potentially leaving out players who don’t run these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While one blue mana and one of any color might not seem too steep, in a game where mana efficiency can determine victory or defeat, there are instances where a counter spell of this cost could be a setback, especially when needing to maintain other plays or defenses.

Discard Requirement: Unlike some other spells in the game, Memory Lapse doesn’t force your opponent to discard the countered spell. This means that while their immediate plans are thwarted, they retain the card advantage and have the opportunity to redraw and play the same card in a later turn, which might not always work to your strategic advantage.


Reasons to Include Memory Lapse in Your Collection

Versatility: Memory Lapse is a classic control card that can slot into various deck types. Its ability to temporarily counter an opponent’s spell by putting it on top of their library allows for strategic planning and disrupting enemy tactics, no matter the match-up.

Combo Potential: This card excels in strategies looking to take advantage of opponents drawing the same card repeatedly. Pair it with shuffle effects or cards that peek at the opponent’s deck to gain insight and control over their next moves for a potent combo.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where timing your plays can mean the difference between victory and defeat, Memory Lapse remains highly relevant. Effective against a range of strategies, from fast aggro to slow control, it provides an edge by delaying crucial spells and disrupting the opponent’s tempo.


How to beat

Memory Lapse is a classic control tool in the arsenal of blue decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its simple yet powerful effect of putting a spell back on its owner’s library can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, essentially causing them to lose a draw and a turn. To effectively counter this spell, it’s important to bait with less crucial spells to draw it out before committing your key plays to the stack.

Another strategy is to apply pressure to force the Memory Lapse early, making them use it on suboptimal targets. Additionally, utilizing spells with flashback or other forms of recursion from the graveyard can mitigate the impact, as the spell will still have a second life even after being Lapsed. Cards like Cavern of Souls can also help your creatures bypass counterspells completely.

Consistency is the key when playing against control decks wielding cards like Memory Lapse. Having a varied and resilient game plan can help you maintain momentum and eventually outpace the control player’s resources. In this way, by understanding the nature of Memory Lapse and adapting your tactics, you can turn the tide and keep your strategy moving forward.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the versatile world of MTG with Memory Lapse. This classic blue counter spell is essential for players eager to master control strategies. It’s about more than just thwarting opponents; it’s about expertly navigating matches and predicting your rival’s next move. Whether enhancing existing decks or building new ones, Memory Lapse offers a unique approach to altering the course of gameplay. Optimizing your collection with strategic cards is crucial, and understanding their interactions is key to victory. Elevate your game knowledge, refine your deck, and gain the upper hand. Explore with us and uncover the true potential of your MTG arsenal.


Cards like Memory Lapse

Memory Lapse is an iconic piece in the collection of Magic: The Gathering’s counter spells. It shines by placing the countered spell back on top of its owner’s library rather than in the graveyard, which can be both a subtle and strategic play. Comparing this to a classic like Counterspell, which flatly denies the spell altogether, Memory Lapse offers a more nuanced approach by delaying an opponent’s game plan without providing them card advantage.

In the same category, we have Remand, which also returns the countered spell to the owner’s hand and, as a bonus, draws a card, adding a small edge in card advantage. Mana Leak is yet another relative in this group, giving a softer yet broader response by countering the spell unless its caster pays three additional mana, which can be equally disruptive without outright card advantage delay.

Overall, Memory Lapse stands up as a tactical choice among MTG’s counter spells, effectively time-walking an opponent’s turn and providing a psychological edge by forcing them to revisit their thwarted plans.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Remand - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Mana Leak - Stronghold (STH)

Cards similar to Memory Lapse by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions
Telekinesis - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Commander Masters (CMM)
Hurkyl's Recall - Antiquities (ATQ)
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Lat-Nam's Legacy - Alliances (ALL)
Flash - Mirage (MIR)
Boomerang - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Rebound - Stronghold (STH)
Hoodwink - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Tidal Bore - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Accumulated Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Impulse - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Cyclonic Rift - Commander Masters (CMM)
Thassa's Intervention - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Metamorphose - Scourge (SCG)
Echoing Truth - Modern Masters (MMA)
Early Frost - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mana Leak - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Remand - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska (DDM)
Vision Skeins - Commander 2013 (C13)
Telekinesis - Masters Edition (ME1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Memory Lapse MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Memory Lapse and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Memory Lapse Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-10-01HomelandsHML 32b1993normalblackMark Tedin
21995-10-01HomelandsHML 32a1993normalblackMark Tedin
31996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC shr32asb1993normalgoldMark Tedin
41996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC shr32bsb1993normalgoldMark Tedin
51996-10-08MirageMIR 741997normalblackRebecca Guay
61997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1031997normalwhiteMark Tedin
71998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb321997normalgoldMark Tedin
81999-01-01Judge Gift Cards 1999G99 11997normalblackMark Tedin
91999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 811997normalwhiteMark Tedin
102001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 881997normalwhiteTristan Elwell
112001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 88★1997normalblackTristan Elwell
122002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 359861997normalblackMark Tedin
132002-08-14World Championship Decks 2002WC02 cr881997normalgoldTristan Elwell
142014-03-14Duel Decks: Jace vs. VraskaDDM 242003normalblackRebecca Guay
152016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 602015normalblackGreg Staples
162019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4252015normalblackGreg Staples
172020-09-26The ListPLST EMA-602015normalblackGreg Staples
182021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 792015normalborderlessYumeko
192021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 162015normalborderlessKristina Collantes
202021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 662015art_seriesborderlessKristina Collantes
212021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 66s2015art_seriesborderlessKristina Collantes

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Memory Lapse has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricBanned
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-06-08 Memory Lapse has a self-replacement effect that replaces the spell going to the graveyard before any other effect can replace that event. If the spell was cast using flashback, however, flashback will change the spell's destination from its owner's library to exile.

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