Summary Dismissal MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 75
2016-07-22 - Number 75s
2023-03-21 - Number 92
2024-06-14 - Number 193
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Exile all other spells and counter all abilities.
"Let's start fresh, shall we?"
Cards like Summary Dismissal
The power to cancel spells and abilities in Magic: The Gathering comes into clear focus with Summary Dismissal. This card stands out in the realm of counter spells by having the uncommon capacity to exile all spells and abilities on the stack, not just a single target like its relative, Counterspell. This broader sweep of negation can prove invaluable during a game where multiple threats are cast simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for control decks that aim to maintain a clear board.
Looking at other cards with similar control abilities, we find Disallow, which is versatile in its own right, capable of countering any spell, activated, or triggered ability. While Disallow offers precise targeting, it doesn’t clear multiple spells like Summary Dismissal. Another comparison could be made with Void Shatter that also exiles the countered spell, preventing any from-the-graveyard shenanigans, but again, it’s limited to a single target. For players who prefer a wider net of control, Summary Dismissal offers a unique and powerful option.
To sum it up, while there are various control spells at a player’s disposal, Summary Dismissal’s capacity to disrupt complex plays by exiling every spell and ability on the stack positions it as an exceptional tool in Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of counterspells.
Cards similar to Summary Dismissal by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Summary Dismissal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeff | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Azorius Control | Pioneer | Azorius Control | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-02-03 |
 | Temur Delver | Legacy | Temur Delver | 2023 NA Legacy Champs |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Summary Dismissal stands out because it not only counters a spell but also exiles all other spells and abilities from the stack. This can decisively turn the tide of a complex board state in your favor, leaving the opponent with fewer resources while you maintain your hand’s integrity.
Resource Acceleration: While Summary Dismissal doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, its ability to reset the stack by removing all abilities and spells can indirectly speed up your game plan by halting the opponent’s acceleration and leaving the way clear for your own strategic plays.
Instant Speed: This card’s instant speed allows you to navigate the game with more flexibility, making crucial interventions during the most opportune times—like during an opponent’s combo or in response to game-winning threats—and can often be the defining factor between victory and defeat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Summary Dismissal doesn’t directly require discarding a card, handling disruption can indirectly force a player to ditch resources for this card’s hefty mana requirement, therefore making it a costly inclusion on occasions where your hand is already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Summary Dismissal asks for two blue mana, which might not be consistently available in decks that are not mono-blue or do not heavily favor blue. This specific mana requirement may hinder its inclusion in many multicolored decks that could make better use of a wider array of counter spells with more flexible mana costs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana, two of which must be blue, places Summary Dismissal on the higher end of the mana curve for counter spells. This can be disadvantageous compared to other options like Negate or Essence Scatter, which might allow you to manage threats just as well but at a lower cost and with greater flexibility for other plays during your turn.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Summary Dismissal proves to be a multifaceted tool in different deck archetypes. Its ability to counter all spells and abilities on the stack makes it a universal answer to a wide range of threats that may surface during the game, regardless of the deck you’re piloting.
Combo Potential: For decks that thrive on control and timing, Summary Dismissal can dismantle intricate combos by your opponents. In critical moments, it can reset the stack, giving you a clear field to execute your game plan without interruptions.
Meta-Relevance: This card has a significant impact in a meta that favors complex spell and ability chains. It’s a solid inclusion against heavyweight strategies, ensuring your deck remains competitive and adaptable to various trends within the game.
How to beat
Summary Dismissal is an intriguing counter spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering, impacting the battlefield by entirely countering target spells and abilities. Unlike traditional counterspells such as Cancel, Summary Dismissal also nullifies all abilities on the stack, offering a broader defense against complex plays. It’s a control player’s safeguard, ensuring no spell or ability gets past, even if it’s uncounterable. This card comes at four mana, a point at which players must carefully decide whether to hold up potential defense or progress their own board.
When facing Summary Dismissal, the strategy shifts to baiting out the counter before executing your key plays, much like you would when dueling against someone with Syncopate in hand. Moreover, diversifying threats and keeping pressure with a mix of instant-speed interactions can circumvent the potential setback from this powerful card. In essence, successfully playing around Summary Dismissal involves a careful balance of aggressive advances and calculated risks to draw out the card at a less critical moment. Crafting a sequence where Summary Dismissal becomes a reaction rather than a preventative measure can tip the scales in your favor.
Ultimately, understanding when to commit and when to hold back against such a robust answer, positions players to maintain tempo and dictate the pace of the match, mitigating Summary Dismissal’s impact on the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Summary Dismissal MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Eldritch Moon Promos, 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 Summary Dismissal 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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Printings
The Summary Dismissal Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon Promos | PEMN | 75s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 92 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 4 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 193 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Summary Dismissal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Summary Dismissal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | Only activated and triggered abilities on the stack are countered. Static abilities of objects remain unaffected, and activated and triggered abilities of objects may be activated or may trigger again later in the turn. Spells and abilities that have already resolved aren’t affected. |
| 2016-07-13 | Spells that can’t be countered are exiled by Summary Dismissal. They won’t resolve. |