Stern Dismissal MTG Card


Stern Dismissal - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Number68
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLie Setiawan

Key Takeaways

  1. Indirect card advantage through bounce can disrupt opponent’s tempo and resource allocation on the board.
  2. Instant speed play provides flexibility to react to threats and maintain control of the game flow.
  3. Lacking a discard mechanic keeps hand size same, while a specific mana requirement limits its versatility.

Text of card

Return target creature or enchantment an opponent controls to its owner's hand.

Cities offer tribute to Ephara and carve her image into their walls, imploring her to protect them from the dangers of the wild.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Stern Dismissal doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it can indirectly lead to card advantage by bouncing an opponent’s creature or enchantment to their hand. This can negate a card they’ve played, potentially costing them tempo and setting them back in terms of resources on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Stern Dismissal can be a key part of a strategy that aims to delay your opponent’s game plan. By returning a crucial creature or enchantment to their hand, you can slow them down and prevent them from developing their side of the board. This can provide you with the opportunity to accelerate your own board presence uninterrupted.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Stern Dismissal at instant speed is extremely valuable. It allows you to react to your opponent’s actions on their turn, potentially saving you from threats or unfavorable exchanges. This flexibility can be a game-changer in maintaining control during pivotal moments of a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stern Dismissal lacks a discard mechanic, which keeps your hand size the same but may lead to a suboptimal play when lacking other actions to improve your board state.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands blue mana specifically. Therefore, players not running blue decks or lacking blue mana sources at the crucial moment could find Stern Dismissal unusable when it matters most.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the mana cost of Stern Dismissal is low, it is an investment for a temporary solution. Other spells at a similar cost offer permanent solutions or multi-target displacement, which may represent a higher value for the same or slightly higher mana investment.


Reasons to Include Stern Dismissal in Your Collection

Versatility: Stern Dismissal provides a simple yet effective way to handle an opponent’s creatures or enchantments. This card offers a tactical edge, able to clear a path for your attacks or disrupt enemy combos with its bounce effect.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to return a target creature or enchantment to its owner’s hand can be combined with cards that capitalize on casting spells or bouncing your own permanents for value. This can lead to powerful plays and synergies within certain deck frameworks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the pace of competitive play, having an answer to early threats or problematic enchantments can be critical. Stern Dismissal’s low cost and instant speed make it a relevant card in formats where tempo plays a crucial role.


How to Beat

Stern Dismissal stands out as a tactical blue instant in Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to return target creature or enchantment an opponent controls to their hand. This disruption can be both a setback for your opponent and a strategic play for you. However, overcoming this card involves smart plays and timely counters. Keep your crucial creatures and enchantments out of the battlefield if Stern Dismissal is a possible threat from your opponent’s blue mana sources.

Consider utilizing spells with hexproof to safeguard your permanents from such targeted bounce effects or employ creatures that offer value upon entering the battlefield, making Stern Dismissal less impactful. Another approach is to bait out Stern Dismissal with less important creatures or enchantments, preserving your high-value cards for a more opportune time. Playing instant-speed spells that can counter or negate the bounce effect ensures your board presence remains uninterrupted. With a forethought and strategy, Stern Dismissal can be effectively mitigated, allowing you to maintain control of the game state.

By understanding the nuances of this simple but potent spell, players can craft a game plan to protect their key assets, ensuring that this temporary setback doesn’t disrupt their path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the depths of MTG strategy often hinges on understanding each card’s role in your deck’s ecosystem, and Stern Dismissal is no exception. Though it might appear modest at first glance, this blue instant can pave the way for tempo advantage and thwart your opponent’s advance. Balancing such tactical cards with your overall strategy is key to outmaneuvering adversaries. For those ready to deepen their knowledge and sharpen their gameplay, we extend an invitation to explore more at BurnMana. Embrace the intricacies of MTG and enrich your collection with versatile cards like Stern Dismissal that could turn the tide of your next duel.


Cards like Stern Dismissal

Stern Dismissal offers players in Magic: The Gathering a direct way to return target creature or enchantment an opponent controls to their hand. A straightforward comparison can be drawn with Unsummon, which shares the core effect of bouncing creatures but extends the ability to target your own creatures as well. While not affecting enchantments, the versatility in targeting can be an advantage in certain strategies.

Another akin option is Voyage’s End, which features the same mana cost as Stern Dismissal and provides the additional benefit of scry 1, allowing you to manipulate your next draw. Although it only targets creatures, the scry can often be invaluable in setting up future plays. Blink of an Eye stands out in this group by offering the option to kick for an additional two mana, which if paid, allows you to draw a card when the spell resolves. This potential for card advantage gives Blink of an Eye an edge in longer games where resources are crucial.

Each of these spells has its distinct situational strengths. Stern Dismissal’s ability to hit enchantments gives it a unique role, particularly in metagames where troublesome enchantments are prevalent, making it a formidable option for players looking for targeted bounce effects in the game.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Voyage's End - MTG Card versions
Blink of an Eye - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Voyage's End - MTG Card versions
Blink of an Eye - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stern Dismissal MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Stern Dismissal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stern Dismissal has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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