Silumgar's Scorn MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Number | 78 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ryan Yee |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast Silumgar's Scorn, you may reveal a Dragon card from your hand. Counter target spell unless its controller pays . If you revealed a Dragon card or controlled a Dragon as you cast Silumgar's Scorn, counter that spell instead.
Cards like Silumgar's Scorn
In the realm of control spells in Magic: The Gathering, Silumgar’s Scorn stands out as a particular counterspell of choice for many players. When looking at spells like Cancel or Dissolve, which consistently counter any spell for three mana, Silumgar’s Scorn offers a cost-effective alternative at two mana, with a compelling condition. If you control a Dragon, the counter becomes unconditional for that lower cost, much like the renowned Counterspell without requiring strictly blue mana.
Memory Lapse and Mana Leak also pose as analogs, frustrating opponents by temporarily thwarting their plans or conditionally countering spells unless additional mana is paid. Memory Lapse doesn’t permanently solve the problem, only delaying the spell for a turn, while Mana Leak loses efficacy as the game progresses and opponents amass more mana. In contrast, Silumgar’s Scorn’s value can remain consistent, especially in a Dragon-synergistic deck where it can function as a hard counter more often.
Ultimately, Silumgar’s Scorn is a formidable card in MTG, particularly in formats where Dragons are a viable strategy. It presents an alluring proposition—conditioned reliability—within the counterspell landscape, rewarding strategic deck construction and forethought in gameplay.
Cards similar to Silumgar's Scorn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Silumgar’s Scorn offers a decisive edge in countermagic duels. By efficiently negating an opponent’s key spell, you maintain the balance of power in your favor, halting their plans while preserving your own strategies.
Resource Acceleration: By costing only two mana, Silumgar’s Scorn provides a cost-effective solution for controlling the pace of the game. Its frugal mana requirement assists in keeping your resources free for playing creatures or setting up further counterspells.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Silumgar’s Scorn being an instant allows players to adopt a reactive playstyle. You are free to pass the turn with mana available, presenting a threat of countering crucial opponent spells, which can lead to significant psychological advantage. This instant-speed interaction ensures that you are always a step ahead in the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully leverage Silumgar’s Scorn’s counter magic capabilities, you need to reveal a Dragon from your hand which can lead to a significant loss of surprise factor and strategic advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Silumgar’s Scorn requires blue mana, which can be restrictive. Decks without a consistent source of blue mana may struggle to cast it when needed, affecting game flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Silumgar’s Scorn is conditional on having a Dragon to reveal for it to act as a Counterspell. Otherwise, its effectiveness is diminished, serving just as a Force Spike, which many players may find cost-inefficient compared to other available counterspells in the format.
Reasons to Include Silumgar’s Scorn in Your Collection
Versatility: Silumgar’s Scorn serves as a robust counterspell in decks where dragons play a key role, addressing the need to disrupt opponents’ plays at a low cost. Its flexibility to act as a simple Force Spike or a full-fledged Counterspell depending on board presence makes it a strategic fit in numerous scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on dragon synergies or those that command a high volume of counterspells, integrating seamlessly into combos that protect your dragons or ensure your dominance on the game board.
Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy with instant and sorcery spells, Silumgar’s Scorn can prove to be a game-changer. It allows players to stay ahead by efficiently dealing with threats or significant spells as they try to resolve, maintaining a steady control of the pace and flow of the match.
How to Beat Silumgar’s Scorn
Silumgar’s Scorn brings a level of control to the table, often compared to the iconic Counterspell for its ability to disrupt opponent plays. Its strength lies in its conditional requirement; having a Dragon in hand turns it into a formidable Counterspell for merely two mana. However, versatility can work against it if a Dragon isn’t present, resulting in a less threatening Force Spike.
To overcome Silumgar’s Scorn, consider playing around it by baiting out the counterspell on less crucial spells or wait until your opponent taps out for another play. Keep an eye on their mana and use spells with uncounterable features or ones that offer alternate casting costs that can slip through the counter-magic net. Another tactic includes deploying spells when the opponent lacks sufficient mana to cast Silumgar’s Scorn effectively or running an aggressive creature strategy that puts the opponent on the defensive, making them less likely to hold mana back for counters.
Owning the pace of the game and being mindful of the conditions that activate Silumgar’s Scorn at full strength will ensure that this otherwise powerful card does not dictate the course of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Silumgar's Scorn MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Silumgar's Scorn 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Silumgar's Scorn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Silumgar's Scorn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If one of these spells is copied, the controller of the copy will get the “Dragon bonus” only if a Dragon card was revealed as an additional cost. The copy wasn’t cast, so whether you controlled a Dragon won’t matter. |
| 2015-02-25 | If you don’t reveal a Dragon card from your hand, you must control a Dragon as you are finished casting the spell to get the bonus. For example, if you lose control of your only Dragon while casting the spell (because, for example, you sacrificed it to activate a mana ability), you won’t get the bonus. |
| 2015-02-25 | You can’t reveal more than one Dragon card to multiply the bonus. There is also no additional benefit for both revealing a Dragon card as an additional cost and controlling a Dragon as you cast the spell. |