Mystic Denial MTG Card

Provides card advantage and control by countering spells and cycling through your deck effectively. Instant speed interaction disrupts opponent strategies, bolstering surprise and adaptability in matches. Despite its benefits, discard requirement and specific mana cost can hinder its flexibility in deck building.

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 61

Portal Second Age (P02)
1998-06-24 - Number 41

Mystic Denial - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
1999-05-01 - Number 49

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

Play Mystic Denial only in response to another player playing a summon creature or a sorcery. That card has no effect, and that player puts it into his or her discard pile.

Cards like Mystic Denial

Mystic Denial could be a staple for decks seeking to counter opponent’s spells efficiently in Magic: The Gathering. Its counterparts in the counterspell category include the infamous Counterspell itself which completely negates a spell unconditionally for the same amount of mana. Mystic Denial sets itself apart by allowing you to play in an anticipatory manner, countering creature or sorcery spells which could be critical in certain matchups.

Another peer in this space is Mana Leak. The card doesn’t guarantee the denial of a spell without the opponent having the chance to pay an additional three mana. While Mystic Denial is specific in what it targets, Mana Leak could potentially counter any spell, given the right circumstances. Essence Scatter is also a common comparison, exclusively countering creature spells, but unlike Mystic Denial, it doesn’t have the ability to counter sorceries.

Assessing these alternatives, Mystic Denial offers a blend of restriction and flexibility. It shines in a metagame heavy on creatures and sorceries, providing a specialized tool for control strategies within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Mystic Denial by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mystic Denial shines in providing a player with the edge in card superiority. By negating an opponent’s crucial spell while potentially cycling through your deck, you maintain a robust selection of options in hand. This subtle press of advantage can turn the tide in a match, keeping you one step ahead in the duel of wits.

Resource Acceleration: Essential to leaving opponents in the dust, Mystic Denial enables strategic players to use their resources efficiently. Although not directly contributing to mana production, it efficiently allocates your mana reserves by dealing with threats at a minimal cost. This prudent use of resources allows players to capitalize on their own spell casting or board development.

Instant Speed: The ability to interact with your opponent’s plays in real time cannot be overstated. Mystic Denial’s instant speed is a linchpin of its effectiveness, permitting a counterplay on your opponent’s turn. This adaptability brings a surprise element to your strategy, enabling you to disrupt opponents’ plans when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mystic Denial oftentimes necessitates discarding a card to fully utilize its potential. This can backfire if you’re running low on hand options, leaving you at a possible disadvantage in terms of card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires a precise combination of mana types to cast. Its demanding mana cost includes blue, which may preclude its inclusion in decks that are not tailored around this color, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Mystic Denial against other options in your deck, its mana value might come off as quite steep for the effect it provides. Considering the rapid pace of modern MTG gameplay, there might be alternate counterspells or denial effects that accomplish similar goals without the hefty mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mystic Denial offers a powerful counterplay that slots seamlessly into multiple deck types, particularly those keen on controlling the game’s pace and denying opponents key spells.

Combo Potential: This card is not only a standalone denial but also synergizes with strategies that capitalize on casting spells during an opponent’s turn or those designed to benefit from the number of spells cast.

Meta-Relevance: Given its efficiency in countering both creature and noncreature spells, Mystic Denial maintains its pertinence in diverse meta environments, ensuring your deck can adapt and respond efficiently to emerging threats and strategies.

How to beat

Mystic Denial stands out in the magical world of spells with its ability to counter an opponent’s play. Often compared to iconic counters like Counterspell or Mana Leak, Mystic Denial differentiates itself by offering a sleek three mana cost and a potential two-for-one advantage; negating an opponent’s creature spell and pushing a counter-strategy forward.

When facing Mystic Denial, resourcefulness is key. One approach is pacing your threats to bait out the denial, thereby depleting your opponent’s mana and clearing the way for more significant plays. Alternately, consider duplicates of vital spells to overwhelm their counter capabilities. Spells that can’t be countered, such as those with the aptitude of Abrupt Decay, present a straightforward bypass to the denial’s limitations. Furthermore, precisely timing your spells to coincide with moments when your opponent’s mana is low can turn the tide, leaving them scrambling without their denial up and ready.

Ultimately, the art of outmaneuvering Mystic Denial relies on strategic spell casting and maintaining the element of unpredictability. By managing your resources smartly and anticipating when to hold back or flood the field, you can take control and render Mystic Denial just another card in their deck.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mystic Denial MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Portal Second Age, 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 Mystic Denial and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mystic Denial Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 1999-05-01. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-05-01	Portal	POR	61	1997	Normal	Black	Hannibal King
2	1998-06-24	Portal Second Age	P02	41	1997	Normal	Black	DiTerlizzi
3	1999-05-01	Portal Three Kingdoms	PTK	49	1997	Normal	White	Kang Yu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mystic Denial has restrictions

Format	Legality
Predh	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal