Last Word MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Instant |
Released | 2004-02-06 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Darksteel |
Set code | DST |
Number | 23 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Scott M. Fischer |
Text of card
Last Word can't be countered by spells or abilities. Counter target spell.
"Someday, someone will best me. But it won't be today, and it won't be you."
Cards like Last Word
In the realm of control and counter magic within MTG, Last Word is a formidable spell, and its closest analogs yield interesting comparisons. Counterflux, for instance, is another uncounterable spell offering not only a solid counter but the option to Overload, impacting multiple spells at once. What differentiates them is Last Word’s definitive nature—it can always counter a target spell without the potential to scale via Overload.
Alongside it sits Render Silent, constricting the opponent’s possibilities by preventing them from casting additional spells in the turn—a perfect way to disrupt combo plays. Despite the similarities, Render Silent doesn’t carry the uncounterable clause that secures Last Word’s efficacy. Summary Dismissal is yet another variant, with the ability to exile all spells and abilities from the stack, providing a unique wide-reaching solution, although it too can be countered, unlike Last Word.
When analyzing these counterparts to Last Word, the card’s steadfast reliability as an uncounterable spell makes it a significant player in MTG, highly valued for ensuring critical spells land exactly when they must.
Cards similar to Last Word by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Last Word is a fantastic tool for gaining an upper hand in card engagement. It enables a player to absolutely ensure a spell goes through, nullifying an opponent’s attempt to counteract your strategies. This assertive capacity to dictate game flow contributes to a superior card economy during play.
Resource Acceleration: While Last Word doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, it can dramatically shift resource balance in your favor. By countering key spells of your opponent, you disturb their resource planning and tempo, effectively putting you ahead.
Instant Speed: The strength of playing at instant speed cannot be overstated. Last Word’s ability to be cast during either player’s turn bestows a strategic flexibility that keeps opponents perpetually on edge. Whether disrupting a crucial combo or protecting your own game-winning play, the timing of Last Word can be pivotal in the clash for victory.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Last Word demands not only a significant mana investment but also a card from your hand to be discarded, putting you at a potential disadvantage in terms of card advantage. This requirement can hamper your gameplay, especially when your hand is already depleting.
Specific Mana Cost: Last Word requires both blue and generic mana, making it a card that integrates specifically into blue-centric decks or those that can reliably produce both types of mana. This cost requirement can hinder the card’s flexibility in multicolored decks or those with a less stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana for its use, Last Word stands at a higher cost bracket compared to other instant spells that may offer similar or more immediate effects. This can affect the card’s viability, especially in faster-paced games where lower-cost spells are pivotal for maintaining tempo.
Reasons to Include Last Word in Your Collection
Versatility: Last Word is a powerful addition for decks that demand finality in countering spells. Its inability to be countered ensures it takes precedence in spell-slinging duels, making it a reliable tool in any blue mage’s arsenal.
Combo Potential: As a hard counter that can’t be refuted, Last Word is a strong complement to strategies designed to exhaust opponents’ resources, setting up turns where your own combo pieces can be played with near certainty.
Meta-Relevance: In game states where control decks are prevalent, Last Word asserts its relevance by acting as the ultimate arbitrator in counterspell wars, making it a strategic sideboard or mainboard card choice.
How to beat
Last Word is a potent spell within the MTG universe, providing players with an uncounterable answer to threats on the board. This blue instant spell might seem like a substantial obstacle when it lands, but there are effective strategies to navigate around it. First and foremost, timing is crucial. Since Last Word cannot be countered, the key is to bait it out on less critical spells or wait until the opponent’s resources are too low to cast it.
Another tactic is running cards that force your opponent to discard, such as Thoughtseize or Duress, allowing you to proactively remove Last Word from their hand before it can be used. Additionally, playing cards with hexproof or ones that cannot be targeted by spells or abilities ensures that Last Word loses much of its potency. Lastly, employing spells with Split Second can further limit your opponent’s responses, making Last Word far less of a threat. Keep these tips in mind and turn this seemingly insurmountable spell into just another hurdle to clear in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Last Word MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Last Word 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Last Word has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |