Hesitation MTG Card

It offers card advantage by countering key noncreature spells, resulting in a better game position. Its instant-speed activation discourages opponents from casting impactful spells too soon. Requires sacrificing a card, which can be costly in the later game stages.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set name	Stronghold
Set code	STH
Number	33
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pete Venters

Text of card

If any spell is played, counter that spell and sacrifice Hesitation.

Gerrard hesitated, looking up at the enemy ship. The future hesitated with him, changed forever by the pause.

Cards like Hesitation

Hesitation holds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering as a control tool. This card compares interestingly with other counterspells like Counterspell itself, which offers a straightforward and definitive way to stop a spell. Hesitation, however, adds a twist by being a conditional, one-time enchantment that counters the next spell cast and then self-destructs. This creates a temporary but powerful deterrent effect.

Another card worth mentioning is Delay, which doesn’t outright cancel a spell but rather suspends it, effectively postponing the problem. While Delay buys time and can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, Hesitation can lead to more psychological play, as opponents may hesitate to cast their critical spells. Meanwhile, cards like Remand offer a softer approach, returning the spell to the opponent’s hand and drawing a card, but not providing the same board presence as Hesitation’s enchantment form before its trigger.

In conclusion, Hesitation offers a blend of threat anticipation and strategic depth that sets it apart from more traditional counterspells, making it a card that can surprise opponents and influence their play patterns significantly. Its place in Magic: The Gathering is for those who prefer a chess-like duel of wits and timing.

Cards similar to Hesitation by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hesitation provides a valuable trade-off, sacrificing itself to counter any noncreature spell your opponent casts. This potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy can prove to be a significant card advantage, ensuring you stay ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Hesitation itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the very threat of its activation can force opponents to alter their plans, potentially leading to a more favorable board state for you. This indirect influence can allow you time to establish your resources unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Hesitation’s capacity to be triggered at instant speed makes it a tactical tool in your MTG arsenal. It demands respect from your adversary, as any impactful spell they cast could be negated should you decide to unveil the Hesitation. This can deter them from playing their high-impact spells too early, giving you the upper hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hesitation obliges the player to part with another card upon activation. This element might be particularly detrimental during later stages of the game when preserving hand advantage becomes critical to maintaining control over the game state.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity of blue mana to cast Hesitation restricts it predominantly to mono-blue or two-color blue-inclusive decks, detracting from its flexibility across the wider spectrum of possible deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At two mana, Hesitation might appear adequately costed, but when considering its one-use effect and the array of lower-cost counter spells or permanent solutions available, it may not always represent the optimal choice for deck construction, particularly in formats that value mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include Hesitation in Your Collection

Versatility: Hesitation is an enchantment that can seamlessly fit into control decks or any strategy looking to disrupt opponents’ plays. Given its ability to counter any spell at the cost of sacrificing itself, this card offers a surprise check to your opponent’s crucial game moves.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that can recycle or reuse enchantments. It establishes a temporary but potent deterrent, pairing nicely with decks that can return it to the battlefield or hand after triggering its effect.

Meta-Relevance: With decks in the meta often revolving around casting pivotal spells that can swing the game, Hesitation’s utility in preventing those key plays or forcing opponents to play around it cannot be overstated. Its presence alone can significantly alter the tempo of the game in your favor.

How to beat

Hesitation is a unique counter card in MTG that turns the tables on your opponents by potentially nullifying their spell and destroying itself in the process. Unlike traditional counter spells which require specific timing and mana availability to use effectively, Hesitation lies in wait on the battlefield, deterring opponents from casting their most impactful spells. To overcome the presence of Hesitation, players must employ a mix of strategic baiting and redundancy in their play.

One successful tactic is to play less crucial spells to bait out Hesitation’s trigger, allowing for the more vital spells to pass through uncountered later. This can force the Hesitation user to decide whether or not to waste their enchantment on a less critical spell. Another method involves sequencing spells to exploit the timing of Hesitation, ensuring that the spell you wish to protect is cast when Hesitation’s controller cannot take advantage of its effect. Additionally, utilizing abilities or casting spells during the opponent’s turn can minimize the opportunities for Hesitation to interfere.

Overall, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of your opponent’s potential responses and to play around Hesitation by prioritizing spells and actions that are less critical to your strategy or using the threat of more powerful cards to your advantage.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hesitation MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Hesitation and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hesitation has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hesitation 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	Playing a land is not casting a spell, so playing a land will not trigger this card.