Reasonable Doubt MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Number | 69 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Betty Jiang |
Text of card
Counter target spell unless its controller pays . Suspect up to one target creature. (A suspected creature has menace and can't block.)
"Merle had the motive, but Blovinac was the one caught with the murder weapon. And who was the seven-foot-tall hooded figure? This case is a mess!"
Cards like Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt stands out as a significant player within the landscape of control spells in MTG. Molded in the vein of cards like Spell Pierce, it delivers a sense of control by countering noncreature spells. What makes Reasonable Doubt collect a following is its low casting cost with the added benefit of surveiling 1, allowing a player to look at the top card of their library and decide to keep it there or move it to the graveyard. This type of card filtering aids in maintaining card quality in hand.
Syncopate is another close relative in this family of counterspells. It exiles the spell it counters, preventing any recurrence from the graveyard which can be a pivotal move against certain decks. Although Syncopate is flexible with its variable mana cost, it might demand more mana investment compared to the steadfast single blue mana of Reasonable Doubt. Mana Leak too presents itself as a comparison point, disrupting opponent’s plays early on by making them pay 3 additional mana or have their spell countered, yet without providing extra deck manipulation.
Reviewing these options, Reasonable Doubt merits attention for its streamlined mana requirement and strategic depth, adding both defensive and setting-up capabilities to a player’s arsenal in MTG.
Cards similar to Reasonable Doubt by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Reasonable Doubt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | 86#CS | |
 | Bant Poison | Standard | Bant Poison | Standard Challenge 32 2024-03-02 |
 | Izzet Pirates | Standard | Izzet Pirates | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024 |
 | Simic Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 10 2024 | |
| Bant Toxic | Standard | Bant Poison | Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor |
 | Mono-Blue Tempo | Standard | Mono-Blue Tempo | WHITE - SAT - 12PM - Chicago Standard Cup |
| WUG | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024 | |
| Azorius Aggro | Standard | Azorius Soldiers | BLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open |
 | Sultai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 | |
 | Dimir Midrange | Standard | Dimir Midrange | Supported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reasonable Doubt ensures you stay ahead in the game by allowing you to sift through your deck and enhance your hand quality. This level of card selection can be crucial for fine-tuning your strategy and responding effectively to the board state.
Resource Acceleration: Unlike some other spells, Reasonable Doubt doesn’t directly produce resources but can indirectly boost your game plan by filtering out unnecessary cards, thus increasing the chances of drawing into your key pieces faster.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Reasonable Doubt at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to your opponent’s moves. It can be cast during their end step, ensuring you retain mana for countermagic or other interactions, or right after they commit to an important spell, countering their strategy while developing your own.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside of Reasonable Doubt is its discard requirement. You’ll need to part with another card from your hand, which can put you at a resource disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Reasonable Doubt comes with a mana cost that demands both blue and white mana. This specific requirement can restrict its integration into decks and narrows deck-building options, as you’ll need to have access to both types of mana to cast it effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being set at the upper mid-range, Reasonable Doubt may come off as having a relatively high cost for its effect. When considering your deck’s curve and potential card efficiency, it’s crucial to weigh this card against others that might provide similar benefits for less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Reasonable Doubt is a card that can be seamlessly incorporated into various deck types, particularly those that need an efficient way to deal with problematic spells while still maintaining a strong defense.
Combo Potential: As it can counter any spell unless its caster pays an additional three mana, it can work in concert with other taxing effects to hamper an opponent’s game plan, amplifying the disruption in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given a metagame densely populated with low-cost, high-impact spells, Reasonable Doubt stands as a very efficient countermeasure, increasing its value and usefulness in such strategic environments.
How to Beat Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt presents a unique challenge in the landscape of disruptive spells, often inserting a layer of complexity into your opponent’s strategy. One effective way to navigate against this card is to prioritize the casting of non-targeting spells. This approach minimizes the effectiveness of Reasonable Doubt’s conditional counter ability. Additionally, leveraging cards that benefit from graveyard interactions can turn the potential downside of discarding a card into an advantage.
In times where Reasonable Doubt is on the battlefield, it’s wise to hold onto a mix of spell types to maintain versatility. Keeping creature spells alongside instants and sorceries in your hand will help ensure that some of your spells remain unaffected by Reasonable Doubt’s constraints. Effectively countering this card often requires a shift in playstyle, focusing on patience and the strategic deployment of spells, turning what could be a setback into an opportunity to outmaneuver your opponent.
By understanding the intricacies of Reasonable Doubt and adapting your game plan accordingly, you can diminish the control it exerts over the game, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your matches and increase your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reasonable Doubt MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Reasonable Doubt and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reasonable Doubt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |