Horribly Awry MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Devoid |
| Released | 2015-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battle for Zendikar |
| Set code | BFZ |
| Number | 59 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Clint Cearley |
Text of card
Devoid (This card has no color.) Counter target creature spell with converted mana cost 4 or less. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard.
"We are nothing but dust to them—our bodies, our actions, even our words." —Jori En, expedition leader
Cards like Horribly Awry
Horribly Awry offers a unique defense in the realm of counter spells within MTG. It runs parallel to the well-known Essence Scatter, as both efficiently nullify creature spells. The distinct advantage of Horribly Awry lies in its exile component, removing creatures from the game instead of simply sending them to the graveyard. This can be especially disruptive against decks that rely on graveyard synergy.
Another counterpart is Spell Shrivel, which requires one additional mana but also exiles the countered spell, provided its controller cannot pay the additional mana cost. Although Spell Shrivel is less mana-efficient than Horribly Awry, it is not limited to creatures and can target any kind of spell. This versatility can be crucial in matches against non-creature heavy decks.
A careful comparison showcases that Horribly Awry holds its own in control strategies, particularly in focusing on creature-centric decks. Its exile effect paired with a low mana cost makes it a potent choice for early-game interaction against creature strategies, setting it apart in the category of counter spells in MTG, and marking its significance in specific game scenarios.
Cards similar to Horribly Awry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Horribly Awry offers a strategic edge by allowing you to counter an opponent’s creature spell with a converted mana cost of 4 or less. This preemptive move not only disrupts their plan but effectively keeps your hand equaled in power by negating potential threats early in the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Horribly Awry doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, it conserves your resources effectively. By countering key early plays, it saves you from having to spend more mana on dealing with larger threats down the line, thereby indirectly contributing to a more efficient use of your mana and resources over time.
Instant Speed: One of the greatest strengths of Horribly Awry is its instant speed, allowing for flexibility in play. You can pass the turn with mana open, giving no clues to your opponent about your capabilities. If they commit to an important play, you can stop it immediately; if not, you retain your mana for other instant-speed interactions or end-of-turn plays, keeping your opponents constantly on their toes.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Horribly Awry requires both blue mana and generic mana for its casting cost, making it less flexible for multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently produce the required blue mana, especially early in the game when countering creatures is most pivotal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the cost of two mana is not exceptionally high in the landscape of counter spells, within the blue archetype exists a plethora of one-mana options offering similar or even more versatile effects. This can make Horribly Awry a less attractive option in a format where mana efficiency is crucial.
Discard Requirement: While Horribly Awry does not have a discard requirement itself, it is important to understand it is part of a broader gameplay strategy where managing your hand is key. The card might be less advantageous in scenarios where holding up mana for a counter can lead to discard decisions that might have been avoided with a cheaper alternative.
Reasons to Include Horribly Awry in Your Collection
Versatility: Horribly Awry is a blue instant that offers a counterplay to creatures and manifests an alternative defense approach. Its ability to exile creatures with converted mana cost 4 or less rather than putting them in the graveyard can disrupt many early-game strategies.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on spell casting or graveyard manipulation. By exiling key creatures, you pave the way for condition-specific cards to dominate the field without interference.
Meta-Relevance: Given its cost-effectiveness and specificity, Horribly Awry holds its ground in environments where aggressive creature decks are common. It’s a strategic choice that can give you an edge when facing quick, low-cost creature builds.
How to Beat Horribly Awry
Horribly Awry operates as a stalwart defense in a player’s arsenal, adeptly countering creatures spells with mana value four or less. Its strength lies in exiling the countered spell, preventing any graveyard shenanigans. To surpass this efficient disruption, consider deploying creatures with a higher mana value, bypassing Horribly Awry’s restrictive threshold. Alternatively, bait out the counter with less critical creatures, setting the stage for your heavy hitters to enter the fray uninterrupted.
Another effective strategy involves leaning on non-creature spells that Horribly Awry can’t touch. By focusing on instants, sorceries, enchantments, or even planeswalkers, you can shape the battlefield to your advantage and render Horribly Awry obsolete. A diverse deck, adaptable tactics, and strategic timing are key to diminishing Horribly Awry’s impact on the game.
Lastly, cards with uncounterable abilities or those that grant counterspell protection, such as Prowling Serpopard or Allosaurus Shepherd, are excellent choices to fortify your creatures against counterspells like Horribly Awry. By smartly navigating around its limitations, you can effectively neutralize Horribly Awry’s influence and press forward towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Horribly Awry MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Horribly Awry 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Horribly Awry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Horribly Awry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | A card with devoid is just colorless. It’s not colorless and the colors of mana in its mana cost. |
| 2015-08-25 | Cards with devoid use frames that are variations of the transparent frame traditionally used for Eldrazi. The top part of the card features some color over a background based on the texture of the hedrons that once imprisoned the Eldrazi. This coloration is intended to aid deckbuilding and game play. |
| 2015-08-25 | Devoid works in all zones, not just on the battlefield. |
| 2015-08-25 | If a card loses devoid, it will still be colorless. This is because effects that change an object’s color (like the one created by devoid) are considered before the object loses devoid. |
| 2015-08-25 | Other cards and abilities can give a card with devoid color. If that happens, it’s just the new color, not that color and colorless. |
| 2015-08-25 | The converted mana cost of a spell doesn’t change if its controller paid an alternative cost (such as an evoke cost) to cast it. |