Ertai's Trickery MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Planeshift
Set code	PLS
Number	24
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Ertai’s Trickery offers subtle card advantage by countering and maintaining your mana for impactful plays.
Its requirement to control an enchantment and specific blue mana cost may limit deck integration.
Knowing when to include Ertai’s Trickery in your collection is key, as meta-relevance can vary greatly.

Text of card

Counter target spell if a kicker cost was paid for it.

"Don't worry, Gerrard," said Ertai. "I'm sure the crew will come to your rescue as quickly as they came to mine."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ertai’s Trickery may not directly draw you cards, but its ability to counter spells creates a subtle form of card advantage by denying your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: While Ertai’s Trickery doesn’t generate mana or treasure, it plays a key role in resource acceleration by keeping your mana untapped for significant plays. This can often lead to accelerated deployment of your own threats or answers without falling behind.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Ertai’s Trickery allows for reactive play. You can properly plan your turns while having the option to disrupt opponents’ strategies during their turn. This flexibility is paramount in maintaining tempo and adapting to the ever-shifting battlefield of MTG.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some instants that can be played with ease, Ertai’s Trickery requires you to first control an enchantment to cast it, which can feel like an additional, sometimes demanding, condition to satisfy, especially in a deck where enchantments are not the main strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting requirement of one blue mana means that non-blue or multicolored decks might find it inconvenient or impossible to incorporate Ertai’s Trickery efficiently into their mana base, making it a less flexible option for many players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that targets only spells that target permanents you control, the cost of one blue and one generic mana may rank it as a costly choice when there are numerous lower-costed spells in the MTG universe that can provide either broader protection or additional benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ertai’s Trickery offers flexibility in deck-building, serving as an efficient answer to your opponent’s spells, especially ones that come from graveyard strategies. This can be particularly useful in formats where recursion is common.

Combo Potential: As a counter spell, Ertai’s Trickery has potential in combination with cards that benefit from countering opponent’s actions or in a deck that aims to limit the opponent’s plays, thereby allowing for control-combo archetypes to thrive.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment full of spell-based combos or where certain spells can decide the game, having an instant that can interrupt these key plays is crucial. Ertai’s Trickery may not always be a staple, but in the right meta, it’s a strategic inclusion that can give you an edge.

How to beat

Ertai’s Trickery is an intriguing counter spell in MTG, with some unique limitations compared to the more universal counters like Counterspell or Mana Leak. To effectively circumvent Ertai’s Trickery, it’s important to understand the conditions under which it can be activated. This card only targets spells that have the same name as a spell in the graveyard, meaning it’s not your go-to for every incoming threat. Therefore, one strategy is to play a diverse deck that doesn’t rely on repeated spells, vastly reducing the chances of Ertai’s Trickery affecting your game.

Moreover, bringing cards that clear the graveyard can neutralize Ertai’s Trickery as well by removing the reference point it needs to operate. Cards such as Tormod’s Crypt can be especially disruptive against it. Another approach is to bait the Ertai’s Trickery out with a less critical spell before casting the key spell you wish to resolve. Adapting your in-game tactics and sequencing can make all the difference when facing down this particular piece of trickery.

Ultimately, while Ertai’s Trickery can provide a surprise twist in the right circumstances, it’s a card that can be easily played around with thoughtful deck construction and strategic spell casting in a match.

Cards like Ertai's Trickery

Ertai’s Trickery stands out in the MTG realm of counter spells. Its closest relatives include Spell Pierce and Negate, both catering to the strategy of disrupting the opponent’s plays. Where Ertai’s Trickery shines is in its ability to counter only spells that are targets of spells or abilities, which can be a niche but game-changing play in the right circumstance. Spell Pierce requires the opponent to pay an additional 2 mana, offering a broader counter solution, yet it does not possess the specialized focus of Ertai’s Trickery.

Another card worth mentioning is Annul, which counters artifacts or enchantments for a single blue mana, ensuring an efficient defense against these types of cards while holding the same mana value as Ertai’s Trickery. However, Ertai’s trickery has the potential to counter any type of spell under its specific condition, which can occasionally catch an opponent off-guard and turn the tide of a match.

Ultimately, Ertai’s Trickery carves out its own spot in the MTG counter spell category. It might not be the go-to for every deck, but in the right situation, its precision can offer an advantage that broader counter spells cannot.

Cards similar to Ertai's Trickery by color, type and mana cost

Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions

Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ertai's Trickery MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Ertai's Trickery and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ertai's Trickery has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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