Counterintelligence MTG Card

Counterintelligence - Portal Three Kingdoms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Number	41
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	white
Illustred by	Wang Feng

Key Takeaways

Counterintelligence offers dual benefits of countering spells and drawing cards, enhancing strategic depth.
Instant speed allows real-time responses, elevating gameplay with surprise and adaptability.
Mana cost and discard requirements are key considerations when integrating it into decks.

Text of card

Return any one or two creatures to their owner's hand.

Before the battle of Red Cliffs, a supposedly sleeping Zhou Yu allowed his old friend, a Wei advisor, to steal a planted letter forged as if from Wei's two best admirals.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Counterintelligence shines by not only countering an opponent’s spell but also letting you draw a card, thereby contributing to card advantage while disrupting their strategy.

Resource Acceleration: By forcing the opponent to put the top three cards of their library into their graveyard, you can potentially accelerate your own resources if you’re utilizing a strategy that benefits from having more cards in the opponent’s graveyard, for instance, powering up mechanics like delve or enabling graveyard synergies.

Instant Speed: The true power of Counterintelligence lies in its ability to be played at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s threats in real-time and maintaining the element of surprise. This can also keep your opponent guessing, as you leave mana untapped during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Counterintelligence necessitates the player to shed a card from their hand, presenting a potential setback when hand size is already diminished and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With its coloured mana prerequisites, Counterintelligence demands a dedicated slot in blue-centric strategies, often restricting it to certain deck archetypes that can reliably produce blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its casting cost, Counterintelligence’s effectiveness may falter when measured against other counter options that are easier on the mana resources, potentially slowing down the player’s tempo in a game where speed can be crucial.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Counterintelligence is a versatile card, easily slotting into blue-based control or tempo decks. It’s useful at both early and late stages of the game, allowing for a counterplay or a sneaky card draw when needed.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with spells that reward you for drawing cards or having a certain number of cards in hand. It also integrates well with cards that benefit from noncreature spells being cast, enhancing those synergetic strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where information is as crucial as the spells you cast, Counterintelligence maintains relevance. It counters key cards while scouting the opponent’s next moves, making it formidable against various decks that dominate the current meta.

How to Beat

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Counterintelligence MTG card is vital when formulating tactics for gameplay. This card can disrupt opponents by not only countering their spells but also allowing a peek at their hand and potentially exiling one of the nonland cards. The versatility of Counterintelligence is offset by its higher mana cost compared to other counterspells, opening strategies to outmaneuver it.

To effectively combat Counterintelligence, employ low-cost spells to bait the counter early in the game, preserving your more crucial plays for later. You can also utilize cards with split-second, which can’t be countered, or spells with flashback from the graveyard to mitigate the loss even if they’re countered. Another method is to apply pressure with a swift board presence, forcing the opponent to choose between countering your spells or falling behind on the board. Additionally, consider adding hand disruption to your arsenal to remove Counterintelligence before it can be used, thus securing your pivotal spells for a successful cast.

Counterintelligence’s potential to swing the game is daunting, but with the right approach, clever pacing, and strategic spell casting, you can turn the tide in your favor and outwit this powerful card.

Cards like Counterintelligence

Counterintelligence shines within the realm of disruption in Magic: The Gathering. It enters a field rich with control elements, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other notable counterspells. Like Cancel, Counterintelligence ensures that a spell never resolves, keeping your opponent’s threats at bay. However, it ups the ante by introducing a two-card peek at an opponent’s hand, offering the strategic advantage of information.

When scouting through the library of counterspells, Mana Leak also emerges as a classic. With its lower mana cost, it can often guarantee an early-game safeguard. Yet, as the game progresses, its strength diminishes compared to Counterintelligence, which can still decisively intercept spells. Dissolve is another similar spell, with its scrying ability adding value, but it doesn’t grant the intelligence gathering that gives Counterintelligence its edge.

Evaluating the tactical uses of these cards, it’s clear that Counterintelligence provides a unique combination of spell interruption and intel gain. While each spell has its purpose, Counterintelligence offers a dual utility that can be pivotal in the strategic maneuvering that defines matches in Magic: The Gathering. Thus, its role in a control deck can be irreplaceable for those prioritizing knowledge over raw power.

Cards similar to Counterintelligence by color, type and mana cost

Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions

Argivian Restoration - MTG Card versions

Touch of Brilliance - Portal Second Age (P02)

Diminishing Returns - Masters Edition (ME1)

Tempted by the Oriq - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)

Inscription of Insight - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)

Distant Melody - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Counterintelligence MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Counterintelligence and other MTG cards: