Reject MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2021-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Strixhaven: School of Mages
Set code	STX
Number	50
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros

Key Takeaways

Reject allows strategic hand replenishment and instant surprise, adding depth to gameplay.
It carries a discard cost and specific mana needs, potentially limiting use.
Reject’s power in certain metagames offers substantial sideboard or main deck utility.

Text of card

Counter target creature or planeswalker spell unless its controller pays . If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard.

"Grux, for the last time, you have to do more than simply shout 'Apply!' at the administrators." —Pavil, admissions officer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Reject mechanism provides a strategic edge as it offers the opportunity to disrupt an opponent’s play while simultaneously replacing itself in your hand, ensuring you don’t lose card momentum.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially filtrating unwanted cards from the top of your deck, Reject can inadvertently hasten your access to more beneficial resources, giving you a quicker path to the tools you need.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Reject at instant speed means you can operate on your opponent’s turn, maintaining the element of surprise and optimal timing to thwart their strategies effectively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Reject card necessitates the player discarding another card, which could be a setback when your hand is already dwindling. This can deplete your options and leave you vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Reject requires both blue and generic mana, forcing deck builders to commit to blue mana sources. This color-specific need could restrict the card’s flexibility across various deck types and strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a counterspell effect, Reject’s mana cost is on the higher end when considering alternatives. Decks often prefer more cost-effective disruption options, allowing them to maintain tempo and resource balance throughout the game.

Reasons to Include Reject in Your Collection

Versatility: Reject provides flexible answers in a player’s sideboard or main deck, capable of countering key spells or creatures for a low mana cost and exiling them, which is critical in formats with graveyard interactions.

Combo Potential: This spell can be a cog in the larger machine of a control strategy, working seamlessly with cards that benefit from countering opponent’s actions, thereby enabling more sophisticated combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-based strategies frequently dominating the play environment, having an efficient and early response like Reject can shape the game in a player’s favor, keeping them ahead in the dynamic ebb and flow of competitive play.

How to Beat

Overcoming a Reject card in MTG requires strategic planning and understanding its mechanics. Reject is known for its versatility, thwarting creature or planeswalker spells unless the spell’s caster pays an additional three mana. This characteristic can disrupt the early game, throwing a wrench in an opponent’s mana curve and slowing down their board development.

To effectively counter Reject, consider incorporating low-cost spells in your deck that can bait out the counter before you play your more valuable cards. Instant-speed spells that can counter or protect your important spells are also key in navigating around Reject. Utilizing spells that can’t be countered or employing abilities that generate mana can also minimize the impact of Reject. For instance, seasoned MTG players might lean towards creatures with the prowess ability or adapt mechanisms to buffer the episode of a failed casting due to Reject.

In summary, adapting your deck with a mix of bait spells, protection, and non-counterable assets, alongside a plan to manage your mana wisely, turns the tables on a seemingly disruptive card like Reject, allowing you to maintain momentum and control in your MTG matches.

Cards like Reject

Within the realm of control and disruptive tactics, Reject is an interesting countermeasure for creatures and planeswalkers. This card echoes the intent of Counterspell, which is a widely recognized classic in denying any spell. However, Reject offers a niche benefit by costing less if targeting a creature or planeswalker that is meant to be cheated onto the battlefield. It also mills for two, adding a subtle but potentially pivotal angle of graveyard manipulation.

Essence Scatter is in the same family, specifically targeting creatures. It’s a straightforward and efficient spell, but it lacks the mill component and the flexibility to address planeswalkers. Essence Scatter, however, doesn’t have the additional cost that Reject incurs when not meeting its cheaper casting condition. Dovin’s Veto is another peer, known for its uncounterability and targeting noncreature spells. Though this does not directly compete with Reject’s specific purview, it’s a strong alternative for players looking to ensure their denial isn’t in turn denied.

Assessing the utility and strategic placement of these spells, Reject stands out in metagames where cheating out high-value targets is commonplace, threading the needle between cost-efficiency and broad application with a side order of graveyard disruption.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reject MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Reject and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reject has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal