Red Herring MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 62
2021-08-20 - Number 62
2024-02-09 - Number 142
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Fish |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
: Exchange CARDNAME from your hand with a permanent you control on the battlefield or a spell you control on the stack. If that permanent or spell was the target of a spell or ability, change that target to CARDNAME.
Cards like Red Herring
In the realm of disruptive cards within Magic: The Gathering, Red Herring proves to be a curious tool against an opponent’s strategy. It’s often mentioned in the same breath as Trickbind or Stifle, both of which are designed to nullify the effects of abilities. Red Herring steps up as an enchantment with the capability to set traps for unwary foes, ready to be set off when the right moment arrives, much like its cousin, the aforementioned Trickbind.
However, when stacking it up against Squelch, a card that also thwarts activated abilities with the added bonus of card draw, Red Herring might seem less advantageous. Likewise, Disallow stands out as a versatile counter that addresses not just abilities but spells as well. The simplicity of an all-encompassing denial with Disallow renders Red Herring’s singular focus slightly more niche.
Despite the competition, Red Herring’s unique modus operandi could be pivotal in specific deck builds that benefit from the subtlety of its enchantment nature. It may not have the immediacy of instant counters, but in the right environment, Red Herring can certainly undulate through a match, keeping adversaries on their toes.
Cards similar to Red Herring by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Red Herring. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Aggro | Standard | Gruul Aggro | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024 |
 | Decklist | Free form | 86#CS | |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Standard | Mono-Red Aggro | Standard Challenge 64 2024-03-31 |
 | Lilypadms MKM Sealed | Free form | UOL MKM Sealed League | |
 | UR | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Red Herring allows you to gain valuable information about your opponent’s hand, setting you up to make more informed decisions which can ultimately translate into card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a disruption tool by forcing your opponent to discard unexpectedly, potentially accelerating your to victory by disrupting their tempo.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Red Herring means that it can be deployed on your opponent’s turn, keeping you flexible and allowing you to respond to their actions in real-time, which can protect your strategy and foil theirs.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The card play is contingent on discarding another card from your hand, potentially leaving you at a card disadvantage when resources are already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both generic and red mana, this card can be somewhat restrictive, potentially excluding it from multi-colored or less red-centric decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of four mana into this spell may be steep, particularly when alternative cards may offer a similar or greater impact on the game at a lower cost, allowing for a more efficient allocation of your mana resources.
Reasons to Include Red Herring in Your Collection
Versatility: Red Herring provides a unique advantage in various deck builds, adeptly fitting into strategies that rely on surprising the opponent or necessitate diverse tactical approaches.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a key piece in combination-centric decks, as it interacts creatively with mechanics that are triggered upon specific conditions being met, potentially disrupting your opponent’s plays.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving competitive scene, Red Herring can offer a strategic edge against prevalent deck archetypes, ensuring your collection remains adaptable and competitive in various metagames.
How to Beat
Overcoming the Red Herring card in Magic: The Gathering is a matter of strategic foresight and timely action. Unlike other cards that may lock you into uncomfortable positions, Red Herring’s challenge lies in its ability to misdirect. Its unique ability may lead players to second-guess their strategies, potentially disrupting their flow and line of play.
In dealing with Red Herring, it’s crucial to maintain clarity in your game plan. Avoid making impulsive decisions based on the false leads that this card presents. Instead, stay focused on your main objectives and overarching strategy. It often helps to play more straightforwardly, with a strong presence on the board that can outmaneuver Red Herring’s deceptive tendencies. Adaptability is key – be ready to adjust your tactics if you suspect Red Herring is leading you astray, but keep your primary goals in mind to secure victory.
One practical tip is to not overcommit resources to counteract the card’s effect. It can be tempting to try to outpace or outplay the diversions created, but patience and prudent resource management often provide a stronger defense against the confusion sown by Red Herring, ensuring that you remain on course toward your win condition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Red Herring MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Red Herring 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
Printings
The Red Herring Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Mooney | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Mooney | |
| 3 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 142 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Iris Compiet |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Red Herring card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | Any counters on the returned object, objects attached to the returned object, or continuous effects affecting the returned object will be on, attached to, and/or affecting Red Herring. |
| 2019-11-12 | If Red Herring isn’t a legal target for a spell or ability that targets the returned spell or permanent, that spell continues to target what it originally did. That spell or permanent will be an illegal target for the spell or ability, and that spell or ability won’t affect it. |
| 2019-11-12 | If Red Herring leaves your hand before its ability resolves, you can’t exchange it or change the target of a spell. |
| 2019-11-12 | If the returned object was attacking or blocking, so is Red Herring. If it was tapped, face down, or flipped, so is Red Herring. |
| 2019-11-12 | You reveal Red Herring in your hand as you activate its ability, but you choose which spell or permanent to exchange as the ability resolves. No player may take actions between the time you choose a spell or permanent and the time you make the exchange. |