Permission Denied MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Denying opponents’ spells at instant speed can decisively maintain control over the game’s pace and tempo.
  2. Requiring a discard to cast could be a downside when managing one’s hand and overall card advantage.
  3. It’s a strong meta choice for countering prevalent noncreature spells and bolstering defensive strategies.

Decks using this card

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

NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Lurrus Deathrite VintageLurrus DeathriteVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-07
Decklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Text of card

Counter target noncreature spell. Your opponents can't cast noncreature spells this turn.

"Ah, ah, ah! You didn't say the magic word."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Permission Denied is a strategic card that declines an opponent’s spell or ability, which potentially disrupts their card synergy and maintains your advantage on the field.

Resource Acceleration: While Permission Denied doesn’t directly accelerate resources, denying an opponent’s crucial play can indirectly preserve your resources and set you up for future turns.

Instant Speed: The real power of Permission Denied comes from its instant speed, allowing you to respond to threats as they happen, keeping you one step ahead and maintaining control of the game tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Permission Denied demands that a player discards a card as part of its casting cost. This requirement can backfire in situations where card advantage is critical, or when your hand is already depleted, leaving you at a potential disadvantage against opponents with fuller hands.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Permission Denied includes both blue and black mana, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck types. This specificity can be restrictive, as it requires a mana base tailored to its color combination, potentially complicating deck construction and reducing flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that can be considered on the higher end for its effect, Permission Denied might not always be the most cost-efficient choice, especially when compared to other counterspells or interactive spells in the same mana range that might offer additional benefits or lower costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Permission Denied offers a broad utility in countering noncreature spells, which makes it a suitable choice for sideboards or main decks looking to enhance their defensive capabilities against various strategies in different formats.

Combo Potential: For decks built around spell-slinging synergies or those utilizing counters to fuel other card interactions, Permission Denied can serve as an integral piece, not only nullifying opponents’ plans but also complementing your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where noncreature spells, including powerful enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers, prevail, having Permission Denied at your disposal can greatly increase your matchups’ success by directly addressing these prevalent threats.


How to beat

Permission Denied is a crafty card that can disrupt a player’s grand strategy in Magic: The Gathering. As with many counter spells, the key to overcoming Permission Denied lies in timing and resource management. One effective method is to bait out the counter with less crucial spells, thereby exhausting your opponent’s ability to counter your significant plays. Another strategy is to wait until your opponent is low on mana, reducing their capacity to cast Permission Denied.

Furthermore, cards with uncounterable abilities or those that grant your spells uncounterable status can entirely negate the effect of Permission Denied. By weaving these into your deck, you fortify your game plan against such disruptive tactics. Also, playing spells on your turn when the counter-caster is tapped out ensures your impactful spells land on the board.

Adaptability and strategic foresight are what set seasoned players apart, and navigating around Permission Denied is a testament to a player’s ingenuity in Magic: The Gathering. By employing these approaches, you can minimize the impact of this tricky counter and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Permission Denied’s place in MTG is essential for any player looking to strengthen their defensive game. Its instant speed and ability to disrupt future plays make it a card worth considering for your collection. While its mana cost and card discard requirement may seem daunting, the strategic upper hand it provides can be game-changing. If your deck leverages spell-slinging or you’re facing a meta filled with inimical noncreature spells, this card could be pivotal. Ready to refine your counter strategy and explore the depths of game mastery? Dive in deeper with us and find out how Permission Denied can bolster your MTG endeavors.


Cards like Permission Denied

Permission Denied stands out within the realm of counter spells in Magic: The Gathering. It elicits comparisons to a classic like Cancel, which also counters a target spell. Nevertheless, Permission Denied goes a step further by creating a unique advantage — the controller of the countered spell must pay 4 if they wish to recast it. This subtle yet impactful twist can severely disrupt an opponent’s strategy. Cancel, meanwhile, provides a simpler exchange without such potential for mana disruption.

Looking at Disallow, we observe a similar cost and functionality to Permission Denied, with the key difference being Disallow’s potential to counter not just a spell but also an activated or triggered ability. This flexibility makes Disallow a formidable option. Then there’s Didn’t Say Please, which includes a mill mechanic, forcing your opponent to put three cards from their library into their graveyard, thus incorporating an additional layer of attrition into the mix.

In reflecting on the nuances between these choices, Permission Denied earns its place due to its ability to delay not just the immediate threat but also future plays of the same spell, a powerful deterrent in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Disallow - MTG Card versions
Didn't Say Please - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Disallow - MTG Card versions
Didn't Say Please - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Permission Denied by color, type and mana cost

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Prismatic Boon - MTG Card versions
Momentary Blink - MTG Card versions
Overrule - MTG Card versions
Turn to Mist - MTG Card versions
Hindering Light - MTG Card versions
Feeling of Dread - MTG Card versions
Dramatic Rescue - MTG Card versions
Azorius Charm - MTG Card versions
Dovin's Veto - MTG Card versions
Faithful Mending - MTG Card versions
Disorder in the Court - MTG Card versions
Brokers' Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Protect the Negotiators - MTG Card versions
Argivian Welcome - MTG Card versions
Officious Interrogation - MTG Card versions
No More Lies - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Permission Denied MTG card by a specific set like Jurassic World Collection and Jurassic World Collection, 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 Permission Denied and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Permission Denied Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Leonardo Santanna.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17Jurassic World CollectionREX 422015NormalBorderlessLeonardo Santanna
22023-11-17Jurassic World CollectionREX 172015NormalBorderlessLeonardo Santanna

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Permission Denied has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-11-10 If Permission Denied resolves but the spell isn't countered (perhaps because it can't be countered), opponents will still be unable to cast noncreature spells this turn.
2023-11-10 If the spell is an illegal target as Permission Denied tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. Your opponents will still be able to cast noncreature spells this turn.
2023-11-10 Permission Denied's effect applies to all opponents, not just the player who controlled the spell targeted by Permission Denied.