Denied! MTG Card


Denied! - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Number22
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Bordersilver
Illustred byQuinton Hoover
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Denied! disrupts opponents, offering card advantage by countering spells and impeding their game plan.
  2. The card’s requirement to discard and its specific blue mana cost limit its flexibility in play.
  3. Despite higher mana costs, its meta relevance and combo potential make it a strategic deck choice.

Text of card

Play Denied only as any opponent casts target spell. Name a card, then look at all cards in that player's hand. If the named card is in the player's hand, counter target spell.

"Don't worry about it. It happens to every mage sooner or later."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Denied lets you interfere with your opponent’s strategy by countering a spell, effectively putting you a card ahead as it denies them the resources spent. This can help pivot the game’s momentum in your favor, keeping your hand full while depleting theirs.

Resource Acceleration: While Denied itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to thwart a potentially game-changing play from an opponent can indirectly accelerate your board state development by giving you more time to deploy your resources without worrying about opposition.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Denied can be cast in response to your opponent’s actions, giving you the flexibility to adapt to the game’s state. You can wait for the most opportune moment to cast it, ensuring maximum impact and keeping opponents on their toes as they have to consider the possibility of their spells being negated on your whim.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Denied! is that it compels the player to discard a card, which can be highly unfavorable when you’re already dealing with a scarce hand. Discarding not only thins your resources but can also deprive you of key plays for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blue mana cost. This specificity means the card is inherently less flexible, limiting its inclusion to blue or blue-containing decks. Gamers with multicolored decks not featuring blue, or those needing color flexibility may find Denied! a challenging option to justify.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Denied! comes with a significant mana cost that, for its effect, could be deemed on the higher side compared to other interruption options available in the format. This can affect the tempo of gameplay, especially when more mana-efficient alternatives could allow for additional actions or spells within the same turn.


Reasons to Include Denied! in Your Collection

Versatility: The Denied! card is a flexible component in many control or counter-focused decks. It serves as an efficient way to thwart your opponent’s strategy by prohibiting them from playing spells with certain names.

Combo Potential: This card has significant combo potential in any deck that seeks to leverage knowledge of the opponent’s hand. Pairing it with discard or surveillance effects can ensure that critical spells never see play, tilting the match in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where specific spells dominate the playing field, Denied! can act as a silver bullet, offering targeted disruption that is tailor-made to enhance your standing against prevalent deck types.


How to beat

Denied! is a unique card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, known for its ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by preventing the casting of a spell with a specific mana value. When facing such a potent control card, it’s essential to adopt a strategy that can effectively circumvent its limitations. One approach is to diversify the mana values within your deck, ensuring that Denied! has less impact on your overall game plan.

Another tactical method against Denied! is to bait the card’s activation with a less critical spell, thereby preserving more significant spells in your hand for later turns. Lastly, take advantage of instant-speed spells that can be cast outside your own turn, putting pressure on the opponent’s use of Denied! and possibly forcing a premature or less optimal use of the card. By carefully considering your spell casting sequence and maintaining diverse mana values, you can minimize the disruptive power of Denied! and maintain the upper hand.

In summary, while Denied! poses a challenge, adept planning and smart deck construction can mitigate its effects, allowing you to steer clear of its control and maintain your momentum in the game.


Cards like Denied!

Denied! from Magic: The Gathering carves out its niche amongst the myriad of counter spells available to players. Its closest relative is likely to be Counterspell, the cornerstone of negation, which outright denies any spell for the same cost of two blue mana without any additional effects. Denied!, while comparable in its main objective—stopping a spell—offers a unique twist with its capacity to choose a nonland card and prevent it from being cast again that turn.

Mana Leak stands as another counterpart, trading outright denial for a conditional one unless the spell’s caster can pay an additional three mana. While mostly effective in the early to mid-game, Mana Leak loses potency against opponents with ample mana at their disposal. In contrast, Denied!’s effect ensures a temporal but total halt on a specific threat. Another analogous spell is Negate, which counters noncreature spells exclusively. Denied! doesn’t discriminate on the type of spell, granting wider application at the expense of letting the spell be replayed later.

In short, Denied! offers a strategic option for players seeking a temporal edge over opponents, potentially disrupting crucial plays at critical junctures and is a strong consideration for any deck looking to employ counter strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Negate - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Mana Leak - Stronghold (STH)
Negate - Morningtide (MOR)

Cards similar to Denied! by color, type and mana cost

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Sleight of Mind - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
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Magical Hack - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
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Hydroblast - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Whispers of the Muse - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Ertai's Trickery - Planeshift (PLS)
Force Spike - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Opt - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Envelop - Judgment (JUD)
Brainstorm - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Denied! MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Denied! and other MTG cards:

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