Mages' Contest MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 154
2020-09-26 - Number INV-154
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
You and target spell's controller bid life. You start the bidding with a high bid of 1. In turn order, each player may top the high bid. The bidding ends when the high bid stands. The highest bidder loses life equal to the high bid. If you win the bidding, counter that spell.
Cards like Mages' Contest
Mages’ Contest is a unique card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, blending decision-making with the potential for direct damage. It stands in contrast to cards like Counterspell, a straightforward and efficient way to nullify an opponent’s spell for merely two mana. While Counterspell provides a no-nonsense approach to control, Mages’ Contest adds a layer of strategy by introducing a life-bidding war, where the highest bidder gets their spell to resolve.
Looking at the red color pie, we can compare it with Pyroblast, which serves as a conditional counter that specifically targets blue spells and can destroy blue permanents. Pyroblast doesn’t offer the bid mechanic of Mages’ Contest, but it shines with its lower mana cost and specificity. Redirect is another similar red spell, allowing you to change the target of a spell with a single target. Unlike Mages’ Contest, which can potentially counter any spell but at a cost, Redirect can’t counter but can turn an opponent’s spell against them with clever play.
Each card presents a distinct approach to spell interaction and exemplifies the diversity and strategic depth available in Magic: The Gathering. Mages’ Contest, with its risk-reward model, adds an intriguing psychological component, positioning it as a challenging and entertaining option for players who enjoy the deeper layers of gameplay.
Cards similar to Mages' Contest by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engaging in the strategic elements of Mages’ Contest provides the opportunity for a significant shift in card advantage. Outsmarting your opponent in the bidding process can leave you ahead, securing crucial spell resolution while potentially depleting your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Mages’ Contest isn’t directly about ramping up your mana, but it indirectly affects resource acceleration. By ensuring key spells are countered or resolved, it solidifies your standing and helps maintain a strong board presence, which is pivotal in accelerating towards a winning game state.
Instant Speed: The instant-speed nature of this spell adds a layer of complexity and surprise to your game plan. Casting it during the critical moments of an opponent’s turn can drastically alter the course of a game, catching opponents off guard and disrupting their meticulously crafted strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mages’ Contest requires players to plunge into a resource-dwindling mini-game of sorts, where they may have to discard precious spells or critical land drops. This can be especially detrimental during the late game when each card in hand could be pivotal for maintaining board presence or executing a game-winning strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types to cast. Its reliance on both red and blue mana can restrict its inclusion to only those decks that can produce both resources reliably, potentially excluding it from mono-colored strategies or decks with a different color focus.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment needed to initiate Mages’ Contest tends to be on the higher side when compared to other control or counter spells in the game. This can lead to challenging situations where players may forgo casting it in favor of spells that offer a more immediate or cost-effective response to an opponent’s actions.
Reasons to Include Mages’ Contest in Your Collection
Versatility: Mages’ Contest is a unique instant that offers a twist on traditional counterspell mechanics, fitting well in red or Izzet control decks that can use its bidding war to deter opponents from resolving key spells.
Combo Potential: This card can combo with effects that manipulate life totals or benefit from spells being cast during an opponent’s turn, adding layers to your on-board strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where big spell casting is prevalent, Mages’ Contest can become a surprising tool to disrupt your opponent’s plans without committing to a specific color for countermagic.
How to beat
Mages’ Contest is a unique interactive spell in Magic: The Gathering, presenting a challenge for opponents in the realm of strategic bidding. Differing from most direct forms of countermeasures, Mages’ Contest involves players in a high-stakes game of wits and resources. To surpass this red instant card, players must adopt a level-headed approach to counteracting its spell duel mechanism.
One fundamental strategy lies in holding back critical spells until you have ample mana to win the contest it creates. Alternatively, baiting an opponent with less impactful spells to deplete their mana reserves before casting your significant spells can tilt the engagement in your favor. It’s also vital to sense the rhythm of the game and anticipate an opponent’s mana availability, shrewdly choosing when to challenge their spells and when to reserve resources for critical junctures.
Therefore, to secure your spells against the Mages’ Contest, strategic manipulation of both your and your opponent’s mana, along with calculated risks, becomes essential. Managing resources and understanding the delicate balance of power on the board can mean the difference between being outmatched and outplaying the contest.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mages' Contest MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and The List, 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 Mages' Contest 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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Printings
The Mages' Contest Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2000-10-02. Illustrated by Bradley Williams.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mages' Contest has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |