Minor Misstep MTG Card


Minor Misstep is potent for card advantage, nullifying opponents’ low-cost spells efficiently. The necessity of a blue mana makes it slightly restrictive in deck inclusion. Versatility in countering early plays makes it a valuable asset in control decks.
Minor Misstep - Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2023-02-03
Set symbol
Set namePhyrexia: All Will Be One
Set codeONE
Number64
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLorenzo Mastroianni

Text of card

Counter target spell with mana value 1 or less.

No matter how many times he saw it, Sarnvax always relished the look of dawning horror as his foes realized their mistake.


Cards like Minor Misstep

Minor Misstep is a nuanced addition to the suite of counter spells within Magic: The Gathering. Drawing parallels to the iconic Negate, both deny the resolution of noncreature spells. Minor Misstep offers a narrower focus, targeting only spells with one mana value, but does so at the convenient cost of only a single blue mana. This makes it an excellent tool for early game control.

Comparing it further, we stumble upon Spell Pierce that serves as a strong contestant in terms of mana efficiency. It counters noncreature spells unless the caster pays an additional two mana. Although Minor Misstep is more specific, it bypasses the conditional mana payment, providing certainty in disruption. We also have Ceremonious Rejection, which focuses on countering colorless spells. While it’s broader in its target range compared to Minor Misstep, it doesn’t offer the same mana efficiency against one-drop spells.

In essence, when evaluating the strategic placement of counters, Minor Misstep proves to be a powerful asset in preempting opponents’ quick plays, marking its own territory among other strategic defensive options in Magic: The Gathering.

Negate - MTG Card versions
Spell Pierce - MTG Card versions
Ceremonious Rejection - MTG Card versions
Negate - MTG Card versions
Spell Pierce - MTG Card versions
Ceremonious Rejection - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Minor Misstep by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
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Riptide - MTG Card versions
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Denied! - MTG Card versions
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Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Curfew - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Sea Kings' Blessing - MTG Card versions
Enchantment Alteration - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Curfew - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Minor Misstep. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
StiflenoughtStiflenought LegacyStiflenoughtLegacy League 2024-02-17
Grixis TinkerGrixis Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-27
Temur ControlTemur Control ModernTemur ControlModern Challenge 32 2024-04-23
Dimir ReanimatorDimir Reanimator LegacyReanimator2 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - Liga Paulista Legacy
WUGWUG LegacyLegacy Showcase Challenge 2024-02-18
Death's ShadowDeath's Shadow LegacyDeath's ShadowLegacy League 2024-03-20
Dimir Death's ShadowDimir Death's Shadow LegacyDeath's ShadowCircuito Legacy Catarinense | Temporada 2024 | Etapa 3
Izzet MurktideIzzet Murktide ModernMurktide RegentMTG China Open S5 Regional Championship
Simic FlashSimic Flash LegacyLegacy League Rosenheim Open #1
Grixis ControlGrixis Control Legacy$5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Minor Misstep shines in the realm of card advantage, negating low-cost spells your opponent plays while maintaining your own card resources. This can often lead to a favorable shift in game dynamics as you efficiently deal with early threats or key combos your opponent attempts to establish.

Resource Acceleration: Although Minor Misstep is not a direct source of resource acceleration, its low cost and the ability to disrupt an opponent’s early mana curve can indirectly accelerate your own game plan. By staving off your opponent’s development, you gain precious time to deploy your own resources more effectively.

Instant Speed: The power of instant speed cannot be overstated, and Minor Misstep operates within this quick-reacting framework. The ability to disrupt at instant speed gives you the upper hand, allowing for strategic responses to an opponent’s actions during their turn, which can be game-deciding in competitive play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Minor Misstep, you need to discard a card to activate its abilities. This can set you back, especially if your hand is already running low on options or if you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Minor Misstep necessitates a blue mana, which means it fits exclusively into decks that can produce that color. Therefore, it’s not flexible for all deck types and can restrict deck-building options for players not running blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing two mana, including one blue mana, for its effect might not always be the most efficient use of resources. Other cards could potentially counter or address threats at a lesser cost or with added benefits, making Minor Misstep a less favorable pick in competitive play.


Reasons to Include Minor Misstep in Your Collection

Versatility: Minor Misstep offers a low-cost option for countering early game plays, making it a useful addition to any deck that aims to control the board from the onset.

Combo Potential: This card can easily fit into combos that target noncreature spells, potentially disrupting opponents’ strategies while cycling through your own deck.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where low-cost spells are prevalent, Minor Misstep becomes an essential tool for gaining an upper hand by efficiently countering key plays without setting back your mana curve.


How to beat

Minor Misstep is a unique card that can pose challenges when you’re on the conflicting end. With its ability to counter low-cost spells, it requires a strategic approach to overcome. An effective way to beat this card is by baiting it out with a less important one-mana spell, thus preserving your more vital spells for later turns. Additionally, you can play around Minor Misstep by increasing the number of spells that exceed its countering threshold, thereby making it less impactful.

Another tactic is to wait until your opponent’s mana is tapped or when they are less likely to cast Minor Misstep. It’s important to monitor the game state and adapt your play style accordingly to ensure your key spells resolve. Opting for instant-speed spells when your opponent’s guard may be down during their own turn can sometimes sidestep the risk that Minor Misstep presents. In essence, strategic planning and maintaining composure under pressure are crucial to outmaneuvering this tricky card in competitive play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Minor Misstep MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Minor Misstep and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Minor Misstep has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-02-04 While a spell with in its mana cost is on the stack, use the value of X that was chosen when it was cast to determine its mana value. Normally, this means that a spell with in its mana cost will have a mana value greater than 1.