Force Spike MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 58
1997-03-24 - Number 88
1998-08-12 - Number rb58b
2001-04-11 - Number 76★
2001-04-11 - Number 76
2009-09-07 - Number 36
2012-09-07 - Number 14
2021-08-26 - Number 780
2002-06-24 - Number 31395
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target spell is countered unless its caster spends an additional o1.
Cards like Force Spike
Force Spike holds a unique place in the pantheon of counter spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares its fundamental goal with Mana Leak, which is deterring opponents from successfully casting their spells. However, Force Spike’s specific requirement for just a single unspent mana can be a more accessible option early in the game, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy from the onset.
Alongside Force Spike, Spell Pierce serves a similar purpose, targeting noncreature spells at the same low cost. The difference lies in Spell Pierce’s ability to scale better into the later stages of a game where oftentimes the critical spells worth countering tend to be noncreature spells. Meanwhile, Daze presents an alternative disruption formula, offering a free counter provided you return an Island to your hand, making it advantageous in decks less constrained by mana availability.
In essence, Force Spike shines as a tactical early-game play that can throw a wrench in early aggressive or ramp strategies. While there are other options in the MTG counter spell category, Force Spike’s simplicity and efficiency ensure it remains a relevant choice for players looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Cards similar to Force Spike by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Force Spike. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Blue Delver | Pauper | Mono-Blue Delver | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-07 |
 | UR | Pauper | Pauper League 2024-05-02 | |
 | Mono-Blue Faeries | Pauper | Mono-Blue Faeries | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-13 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Force Spike may not directly allow a player to draw cards, its ability to counter key spells does disrupt opponents’ plans. This, in turn, can lead to card advantage by forcing opponents to waste their turn and resources on a spell that you cancel for a mere one blue mana.
Resource Acceleration: Force Spike is exceptional in that it plays a significant role in tempo plays. It can set your opponent back on resources, particularly in the early game, by utilizing minimal mana investment on your part to counter their more costly spells.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Force Spike gives players the flexibility to decide the best moment to cast it. You can efficiently manage your mana, waiting to see if your opponent commits to a vital spell, and then effectively use Force Spike only when it can have the maximum impact on the game’s progression.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Force Spike doesn’t involve discarding cards from your hand, its real cost can be conceptualized as discarding the opportunity to play other spells during your opponent’s turn. This means that if the opponent does not cast a spell or plays around Force Spike by paying the additional cost, you could end up wasting valuable mana that could have been allocated to other spells or abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Force Spike requires a single blue mana to cast. This dedicated mana cost mandates the inclusion of blue sources in your deck, potentially restricting deck-building flexibility and making it a less viable option for multi-colored decks not focused on blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Force Spike has a low initial cast cost, the effectiveness of this spell diminishes as the game progresses. In the later stages of a match, when opponnents have more lands at their disposal, the additional cost imposed by Force Spike becomes negligible, often rendering the card ineffective against more costly spells with powerful effects.
Reasons to Include Force Spike in Your Collection
Versatility: Force Spike enjoys a unique position as a low-cost countermeasure. Its ability to disrupt your opponent by countering their early-game plays with just a single blue mana makes it a versatile pick for decks aiming to maintain tempo and control.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that capitalize on opponents playing with an empty mana pool, Force Spike can serve as a tool to activate various triggers and effects within your deck, positioning it as a tactical asset in a variety of situations.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamic play of the current meta where early plays can decide the game’s direction, having Force Spike in your arsenal ensures you have an efficient response to early threats or key spells, keeping your strategy on course and often leaving opponents second-guessing their sequencing.
How to beat
Force Spike is a classic disruptive spell in Magic: The Gathering with a simple yet effective role – to thwart an opponent’s strategy by countering their early game spells unless they pay an additional one mana. This card shines brightest when you’re on the play, giving you the upper hand in the early turns by potentially setting your opponent back a whole turn, which in a fast-paced match, can be critical.
Confronting Force Spike demands strategic foresight. The trick to mitigate its impact lies in cautious play and mana management. Play around it by holding back on casting your crucial spells until you have an additional mana to spare, thereby neutralizing the threat of this one-mana counterspell. Paying attention to the number of open mana your opponent has can be a giveaway that they hold a Force Spike. Additionally, baiting it out with less important spells before leading into your game-changers can be an effective tactic.
Ultimately, respecting the power of this early game control card and adjusting your plays can ensure that Force Spike doesn’t disrupt your strategy, allowing you to maintain the flow of your own game plan without falling into the setback trap that this spell is designed to spring.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Force Spike MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fifth Edition, 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 Force Spike and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Force Spike Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 58 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Bryon Wackwitz | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 88 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Matson | |
| 3 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | rb58b | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Bryon Wackwitz | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 76★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Nelson DeCastro | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 76 | 1997 | Normal | White | Nelson DeCastro | |
| 6 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31395 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Bryon Wackwitz | ||
| 7 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 36 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Bryon Wackwitz | |
| 8 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nelson DeCastro | |
| 9 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 780 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nelson DeCastro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Force Spike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Force Spike 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 | The payment is optional. |