Johann's Stopgap MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Bargain
Released	2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set name	Wilds of Eldraine
Set code	WOE
Number	58
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Christina Kraus

Key Takeaways

Johann’s Stopgap ensures momentum by drawing cards and accelerates your mana for quicker impactful plays.
Its instant speed enables flexible reactions, changing the game’s dynamic in your favor.
However, the discard requirement and specific mana costs may limit its use in some decks.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Johann's Stopgap MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Johann's Stopgap and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Bargain (You may sacrifice an artifact, enchantment, or token as you cast this spell.) This spell costs less to cast if it's bargained. Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Draw a card.

"Just ... stay in there ... for one ... second!"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Johann’s Stopgap is designed to be a key card when it comes to maintaining momentum in a game. It effectively replaces itself by drawing a card, ensuring you don’t lose steam during crucial moments of play. This card keeps your hand stocked, enabling you to outpace your opponent in resources.

Resource Acceleration: The intrinsic value of Johann’s Stopgap extends to its ability to give you a boost in mana resources. Whether you’re looking to cast more spells or activate abilities, the acceleration it provides can be a game changer. This card acts as a catalyst, propelling you towards casting more impactful spells sooner than you normally could.

Instant Speed: One of the standout features of Johann’s Stopgap is its instant speed capability. This allows for adaptability and strategic depth, granting the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions. Holding back mana becomes less of a disadvantage when you can deploy Johann’s Stopgap at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, maximising your potential for surprise and control.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While employing Johann’s Stopgap can provide instant benefit, the necessity to discard another card upon usage can hinder your play if your hand is already depleting. Strategically, this puts you at a disadvantage, especially in games where every card in hand counts towards your potential victory.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a particular combination of mana to cast, Johann’s Stopgap might not find a home in all types of decks. Players running multi-colored decks or those that lack flexibility in mana generation may find it challenging to meet the cost, thereby limiting the card’s utility and inclusion in various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demand of considerable mana for activation, players often scrutinize Johann’s Stopgap against alternatives offering similar effects. In many situations, there are cards that generate equal or greater impact at a lower mana cost. This can lead to Johann’s Stopgap being overlooked in favor of more mana-efficient spells in a player’s arsenal.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Johann’s Stopgap offers a unique blend of board control and contingency planning that can be incorporated into various decks. It’s an excellent card for maintaining momentum when facing unpredictable situations, allowing you to adapt your strategy on the fly.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that thrive on spell synergy, playing a critical role in combinations that require precision timing. Its ability to potentially alter the board state makes it a dark horse for turning the tides in complex situations.

Meta-Relevance: Within a meta where flexibility can make or break a match, Johann’s Stopgap stands out. Its ability to respond to a wide array of threats means it’s not only useful but can become a core component of a deck that intends to remain resilient against various popular strategies.

How to beat

Johann’s Stopgap is a card that presents players with an interesting conundrum in Magic: The Gathering. This card stands out due to its utility in providing a temporary shield against incoming damage. However, seasoned players know that such respite is not without its challenges. To effectively navigate against Johann’s Stopgap, it’s crucial to strategize around its limitations.

One approach to overcome Johann’s Stopgap is to prioritize removal spells that can take it out of play before it’s activated. Another strategy involves baiting the opponent into using the card prematurely, thereby minimizing its impact on your more significant threats later in the game. In decks with a long-term game plan, consider cards that can outlast Johann’s Stopgap’s temporary protection or use it to one’s advantage, effectively turning the tide of the game.

Ultimately, conquering this card requires a mix of foresight, timing, and the right balance of pressure. It challenges players to be one step ahead, making Johann’s Stopgap a test of patience and tactics on the battlefield. Recognizing the moment to strike and using your resources intelligently can nullify its protective nature and lead you to victory.

Cards like Johann's Stopgap

Johann’s Stopgap is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers versatility and strategic depth. When compared to other three-mana creatures such as Blade Splicer, Johann’s Stopgap holds its ground by offering a temporary but immediate impact on the battlefield, whereas Blade Splicer leaves behind a durable token with first strike. Although both cards provide value beyond their initial casting, Johann’s Stopgap’s ability to disrupt opponents can be crucial in pivotal moments of a match.

Merfolk Looter is another card that interacts with Johann’s Stopgap in terms of card filtering. While Merfolk Looter requires an activation cost and provides consistent card selection, Johann’s Stopgap offers a one-time larger quantity of card filtering upon entry, which could potentially lead to game-altering plays. Considering the tempo and the deck archetype, players might favor Johann’s Stopgap’s immediate effect over the Looter’s long-term benefit.

Comparatively, when evaluating the ability to adapt to complex board states, Johann’s Stopgap finds its niche, providing players with an immediate albeit temporary solution, a strategic option often needed in a game where timing is everything.

Cards similar to Johann's Stopgap by color, type and mana cost

Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Johann's Stopgap has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2023-09-01	If the permanent is an illegal target as Johann's Stopgap tries to resolve, Johann's Stopgap is removed from the stack and you won't draw a card.
2023-09-01	The cost-reduction ability of Johann's Stopgap doesn't change its mana cost or mana value, only the total cost you pay. Specifically, the mana value of Johann's Stopgap is always 4.