Jace's Defeat MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2017-07-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Hour of Devastation |
| Set code | HOU |
| Number | 38 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Text of card
Counter target blue spell. If it was a Jace planeswalker spell, scry 2.
"I had hoped for more from you, Jace. But I expected as much." —Nicol Bolas
Cards like Jace's Defeat
Jace’s Defeat is an intriguing counter spell in Magic: The Gathering that specifically targets blue spells, aligning it close to cards like Negate and Essence Scatter in terms of utility. While Negate permits a player to counter noncreature spells, Jace’s Defeat offers the added perk against blue spells by allowing you to scry 2 when you counter a Jace planeswalker spell. Unlike Essence Scatter, which focuses solely on creature spells, Jace’s Defeat has a broader potential scope by affecting all blue spells including creatures, providing players a tactical edge against blue decks.
In the realm of color-specific counters, we also have Red Elemental Blast and Flashfreeze. Red Elemental Blast is narrower, targeting only blue spells but with the ability to destroy them. Flashfreeze provides a wider net, countering red and green spells, showcasing the diversity in pinpoint counters Magic: The Gathering offers. While these spells have limitations, they excel in sideboard strategy, turning the tide in color-focused matchups.
Given the context of strategic sideboard choices, Jace’s Defeat finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering. It carries the allure of thwarting an opponent’s blue-centered plan while giving the caster a potent advantage when facing decks that heavily rely on blue spells or the cunning Jace planeswalker himself.
Cards similar to Jace's Defeat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jace’s Defeat is a fantastic inclusion in decks that face off against blue adversaries. This card allows you to counter target blue spell, and if it’s a Jace planeswalker spell, you also get to scan the top of their library and remove the most threatening cards, providing a double whammy of control and insight into your opponent’s next moves.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly offering traditional resource acceleration like mana ramp or token generation, the inherent value in this card comes from its cost efficiency. For a mere two mana, Jace’s Defeat provides a significant hurdle for your opponent, effectively setting them back while you maintain a lean mana curve to deploy other game-changing strategies or hold up counter-magic of your own.
Instant Speed: Jace’s Defeat operates at instant speed, providing the versatility required in reactive strategies or control shells. By keeping your mana open, Jace’s Defeat allows you to answer threats on the fly without compromising your board state. This card fits perfectly into the pacing of blue decks that value responsiveness and the capacity to interact during the opponent’s turn to dictate the flow of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Jace’s Defeat doesn’t exact a discard from your hand, it does have a narrow target range, effectively asking you to discard opportunities to counter wider ranges of spells.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires a blue mana, making it exclusive to blue-themed decks or those that can accommodate blue mana, limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of two mana, one generic and one blue, it might seem economical. However, when assessing its utility in countering only blue spells, other counterspells at the same cost bracket might provide broader protection against the entire spectrum of spells.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Jace’s Defeat is a valuable sideboard card in blue-centric decks, providing an efficient response to blue spells which are prevalent in many metagames. Its ability to also scry if it counters a Jace planeswalker spell offers an additional layer of utility.
Combo Potential: Beyond its primary use, Jace’s Defeat serves as a functional piece in counter wars, often giving you the edge in control matchups as it can selectively target high-impact spells while costing less than many alternatives.
Meta-Relevance: As metas evolve, planeswalkers and blue spells often maintain their presence. Having Jace’s Defeat on hand means you’re ready to combat widely-used blue strategies and specific threats like Jace planeswalker cards with just a single, efficient spell.
How to beat
Jace’s Defeat is a specialized answer in the Magic: The Gathering blue color pie, specifically designed to counteract blue spells or target a Jace planeswalker. Its effectiveness is undeniable within its niche, posing a significant challenge when facing a blue-heavy opponent. The trick to overcoming this spell lies in diversification. By incorporating a variety of colors and spell types into your deck, you significantly reduce the impact Jace’s Defeat can have on your game plan.
Consider running non-blue threats, or cards with abilities that don’t directly cast spells, such as creatures with potent on-hit effects or artifacts that can exert pressure without entering the stack. Additionally, you could employ baiting tactics, casting less critical spells to draw out Jace’s Defeat before playing your key cards. Furthermore, don’t overlook the utility of cards that grant spell immunity or those that can’t be countered, as these can safely navigate past such targeted countermeasures.
Flexibility and strategic play are your best assets against Jace’s Defeat. By broadening your deck’s horizons beyond the constraints of blue or spell-heavy compositions, you’ll be better equipped to handle this potent defense and turn the tides in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jace's Defeat MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Jace's Defeat 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Jace's Defeat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |