Rethink MTG Card


Rethink enhances card selection and library manipulation, offering a strategic edge during gameplay. Its instant speed play allows for adaptable and unpredictable strategies against opponents. However, Rethink’s discard requirement and high mana cost could hinder hand and board development.
Rethink - Prophecy
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set nameProphecy
Set codePCY
Number42
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMatt Cavotta

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays o X, where X is its converted mana cost.

"Are you *sure* you want to do that?"


Cards like Rethink

Rethink Mtg Card is a thought-provoking entrant among the counter spells available to Magic: The Gathering players. Its uniqueness lies in allowing players to put a spell back into its owner’s hand unless they pay the additional cost. This is reminiscent of the classic card Mana Leak, where the opposing player can avoid their spell being countered by paying three extra mana.

Comparatively, we see Delay as another counter spell that suspends the targeted spell for three turns instead of outright countering it. It offers a temporary relief rather than the permanent solution that Rethink Mtg Card can potentially provide. And then there’s Remand, which like Rethink Mtg Card, returns the spell to its owner’s hand, but it draws a card for you in the process, offering a nice cycling benefit.

Evaluating the strategic uses and nuances, Rethink Mtg Card sustains a solid position among its peers in Magic: The Gathering for disrupting opponents’ plans and tipping the scales in a player’s favor with its conditional counterbalance.

Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Delay - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Delay - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rethink by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
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Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rethink provides a stream of card selection, effectively filtering out unnecessary cards, sharpening your strategy for future turns. By rearranging your library’s top cards, it helps secure the resources you need at the right moment, keeping you astep ahead of the competition.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Rethink allow for smarter deck manipulation, but it also plays a role in boosting your resources efficiently. It creates opportunities to draw into cards that accelerate your mana production, enabling a quicker deployment of your more powerful spells and creatures.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Rethink at instant speed is a tactical advantage. It allows you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield on the fly. Whether it’s in response to an opponent’s threat or at the end of their turn, instant speed ensures flexibility and keeps your opponents guessing about your next move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rethink Mtg Card demands that you discard one or more cards to play it, which might deplete your hand prematurely, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage during crucial moments of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting conditions stipulate that a precise combination of mana colors is needed, which can potentially conflict with the flexibility of your deck’s mana base, particularly in multicolored formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a significant amount of mana, Rethink Mtg Card may consume your entire turn’s resources, potentially impeding your board development and making it less optimal compared with alternatives offering similar effects at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Rethink in Your Collection

Versatility: Rethink offers players the unique ability to adapt to various game situations. Whether you’re looking to counter early threats or need to stifle a late-game win condition, Rethink slots into a variety of deck archetypes seamlessly.

Combo Potential: For deck-builders who relish setting up powerful combinations, Rethink can be an essential piece. It synergizes with cards that care about casting spells during opponents’ turns or that gain benefits from drawing cards.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in a shifting competitive environment, Rethink can be a game-changer against decks that rely on expensive spells. With its ability to disrupt finely-tuned strategies, it’s a wise pick for staying ahead in the meta.


How to beat

Rethink MTG Card stands out as a strategic tool in a player’s arsenal, offering a way to tackle spells and abilities by returning them to their owner’s hand. This simple yet potent effect can disrupt your opponent’s well-laid plans and buy you crucial time to swing the tide in your favor. However, like any card, it has vulnerabilities. To beat Rethink, it’s essential to bait out the card early, or overload the opponent with more threats than they can efficiently handle.

Another tactic is to play cards that provide benefits when they are targeted or returned to your hand, turning Rethink’s delaying tactic into an advantage for you. Cards with encore or other similar effects will benefit from being returned, as you can simply recast them for additional value. Additionally, spell-heavy decks should aim to include cards that can’t be countered or use abilities that replicate spell effects to circumvent Rethink’s denial strategy. Playing at instant speed also keeps the pressure on your opponent, forcing them to use Rethink at less opportune moments.

Ultimately, while Rethink MTG Card may seem like a formidable barrier, employing these strategies can turn the tables and ensure your path to victory remains clear.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rethink MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Rethink and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rethink has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The spell’s controller gets the option to pay when this spell resolves.