Condescend MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Scry

Key Takeaways

  1. Condescend offers players the ability to counter spells flexibly while gaining card quality control via scry.
  2. Timing Condescend optimally can maintain tempo and disrupt opponent plays at instant speed.
  3. Despite versatility, it requires strategic hand and mana management to maximize its potential.

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . Scry 2 (Look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Condescend enables players to potentially counter a threat unless the opponent can pay the X cost, integrating a powerful flexible tool for card advantage. If the spell is countered, the scry 2 ability affords the caster an opportunity to manipulate upcoming draws, enhancing the quality of their game plan.

Resource Acceleration: While Condescend itself does not directly accelerate resources, timing its use when opponents are tapped out can effectively negate their turn, indirectly preserving your board state and resources. Successful counters mean maintaining tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: The true power of Condescend lies in its instant speed, allowing players to adapt to threats dynamically. It serves as a deterrent, keeping opponents guessing about the unseen power you hold in your hand, and can be used tactically to counter key spells during the opponent’s turn, thus keeping them at bay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Condescend allows for scrying, it necessitates that you have adequate cards in hand to discard if you’re aiming to fully utilize its potential. In the late game, this can be a detraction when you’re trying to maintain a strong hand presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Condescend’s requirement for blue mana may not align with all deck types, especially in formats that encourage multi-color decks or those with a base other than blue. This attribute might narrow its utility in various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to achieve significant countering through Condescend might be impractical in contrast to other options. Given its X cost, to counter more formidable spells, your mana expenditure must be substantial, potentially compromising other plays during your turn or your opponent’s.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Condescend offers flexible countering options, perfect for decks that demand precise control over the game’s flow. Its scalability allows players to adjust to various mana availabilities, making it a fitting choice for numerous blue-based control decks looking for a universal response.

Combo Potential: Beyond its primary function as a counter, Condescend’s Scry ability provides valuable deck manipulation. This can set up powerful card combinations, aligning critical pieces on top of your library to secure your winning moves with greater consistency.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where efficient spellcasting can turn the tides, Condescend shines by providing a proactive answer to emerging threats. As the meta evolves, having a card that adapts to the opposition’s strategy can be instrumental in maintaining competitive edge.


How to Beat Condescend

Condescend is a unique and strategic card within the Magic: The Gathering universe, known for its versatile counter capabilities paired with a scry benefit. Facing this card, it’s essential to recognize the power of a well-timed counter spell, and the advantage that scrying provides to the opposing player.

When strategizing against Condescend, it’s imperative to carefully manage your resources. This means holding back on casting pivotal spells if you suspect the opponent has enough mana to use Condescend effectively. By forcing the usage of Condescend on less critical spells, you can conserve your more valuable cards for when the path is clear, minimizing their ability to scry and set up their next moves.

Another key tactic is to apply constant pressure by playing numerous low-cost spells in a single turn, overwhelming their mana pool and reducing the likelihood of a successful Condescend. Additionally, cards that can’t be countered or ones that penalize the opponent for playing counter spells are invaluable tools in tipping the scales in your favor. Adaptability and clever pacing, therefore, become essential in outmaneuvering the control that Condescend can provide to an opponent’s arsenal.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Condescend in MTG can be a game-changer for control enthusiasts seeking to refine their decks. This card’s flexibility, instant speed, and synergies pave the way for strategic play and deck optimization. If you’re looking to adapt to various mana situations, increase your versatility in countering opponent’s spells, and enhance your ability to tailor future draws, Condescend might be the right choice. For those eager to master its potential and explore advanced control mechanics, our extensive guides and tips can help you make informed decisions. Dive deeper into deck-building strategies and become adept at navigating the complexities of MTG matchups with our resources. Enhance your collection and gameplay – discover more with us.


Cards like Condescend

In the realm of tempo plays within Magic: The Gathering, Condescend is a versatile choice. It aligns closely with other counter spells such as Mana Leak, where the focus is on thwarting opponent’s spells at an early to mid-game advantage. Whereas Mana Leak requires a flat three mana to avoid the counter, Condescend offers a scalabilty feature based upon the X cost. This allows players to custom-tailor their response to the opposing threat level and their available mana.

Condescend also shares similarities with Syncopate. Both cards provide the variable counter spell approach, allowing for flexible resource allocation depending on the situation. Syncopate exiles the countered spell, which can be a significant edge in certain matchups, although it does lack Condescend’s scry benefit, which can significantly shape future draws.

The strategic value of scrying with Condescend cannot be overstated. This ability puts it in the lineup alongside cards like Preordain, which, while not a counter spell, emphasizes the power of deck manipulation. Condescend not only aborts threats but also sifts through upcoming cards, paving the way for more favorable draws, thereby offering dual utility in control strategies.

Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Syncopate - MTG Card versions
Preordain - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - Stronghold (STH)
Syncopate - Odyssey (ODY)
Preordain - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Condescend by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Jump - Magic 2010 (M10)
Sleight of Mind - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Unsummon - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Siren's Call - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Power Sink - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Blue Elemental Blast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Magical Hack - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Twiddle - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Riptide - The Dark (DRK)
Winter's Chill - Ice Age (ICE)
Mind Bend - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spell Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Denied! - Unglued (UGL)
Hydroblast - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Whispers of the Muse - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Ertai's Trickery - Planeshift (PLS)
Force Spike - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Opt - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Envelop - Judgment (JUD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Condescend MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Condescend and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Condescend Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-06-04Fifth Dawn5DN 272003normalblackRon Spears
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 mb272003normalgoldRon Spears
32004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 gn272003normalgoldRon Spears
42008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 282003normalblackRon Spears
52014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 282015normalblackRon Spears
62017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 462015normalblackKieran Yanner
72019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3282015normalblackKieran Yanner
82020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-462015normalblackKieran Yanner
92022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2822015normalblackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Condescend has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-11-17 You must be able to target another spell to cast Condescend. Condescend can’t target itself.
2017-11-17 You scry 2 even if the spell’s controller pays .

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