Arcane Denial MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Arcane Denial hinders opponents while subtlety shifting card economy in your favor.
  2. Its low casting cost ensures efficiency and enhances play strategy options.
  3. Instant speed allows reactive play, maximizing its strategic impact in a game.

Text of card

Counter target spell. That spell's caster may draw up to two cards at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arcane Denial offers a unique twist on card advantage. When used, it not only counters a spell, preventing an opponent’s plan, but it also allows that opponent to draw two cards during their next draw step. However, it compensates the caster with the ability to draw a card in the next upkeep, subtly tipping the scales in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing resource acceleration, Arcane Denial’s low casting cost facilitates a more efficient use of mana. For a mere one generic and one blue mana, it offers a powerful effect, leaving additional resources available for advancing your board state or holding up other counterspells or instant speed interactions.

Instant Speed: The strength of Arcane Denial is compounded by its instant speed. This allows a player to keep mana untapped to opt for the best reaction during an opponent’s turn. Additionally, this flexibility means you can answer threats on-the-fly without sacrificing your ability to impact the game during your own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The use of Arcane Denial comes with the drawback of your opponent drawing cards on their next draw step, which can inadvertently supply them with more solutions or threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Arcane Denial demands both blue and colorless mana, which could potentially limit its integration into multicolor decks that are strained on mana availability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only two mana, considering other counter options, Arcane Denial allows for an opponent advantage, which might not always outweigh its low casting cost when tempo or card advantage is critical.


Reasons to Include Arcane Denial in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcane Denial offers a flexible countering option that’s cost-efficient for any blue deck. It can respond to early threats or critical plays from your opponent, making it a useful card in various situations.

Combo Potential: While disrupting your opponent, it also facilitates card draw, which can synergize with strategies aiming to capitalize on drawing cards or needing specific responses in hand for combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where instances and sorceries are prevalent, Arcane Denial’s capacity to counter virtually any spell at a low cost, while not setting back your card advantage, keeps it relevant and often a smart addition to your arsenal.


How to beat

Arcane Denial stands as a unique counter spell option within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It offers a rare blend where it counters a spell but also allows the spell’s caster to draw two cards at the beginning of the next turn’s upkeep, while its owner draws one. Compared to other counter spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, Arcane Denial is more forgiving to your opponent, giving them a potential card advantage.

To play effectively against Arcane Denial, the emphasis falls on strategic timing and baiting out the counter. By casting a spell that’s less crucial, you might compel the opponent to use Arcane Denial early, leaving them less prepared for your more important spells. Additionally, considering build-ups like creature-heavy decks or strategies that benefit from drawing cards can turn the downside of Arcane Denial to your favor. Also, by applying pressure and forcing your opponent to choose between holding mana for the counter or developing their board, you can gain an edge in resources and momentum.

Bearing in mind its graceful nature among counters, Arcane Denial can be a double-edged sword. Properly exploiting the card’s drawback can tilt the odds to your advantage, allowing you to maintain card parity or even prosper from its resolution.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the complexities of MTG cards like Arcane Denial can significantly enhance your deck’s performance. Its ability to disrupt while managing card economy makes it a noteworthy spell in any blue strategy. Balancing its pros and cons is key to harnessing its full potential. Whether you’re interested in finding the perfect fit for your blue deck or keen on dissecting the strategic depth of countering spells, remember that knowledge is power in MTG. Our deep dive into cards like Arcane Denial is just a fraction of what’s waiting for you. Continue your journey towards becoming a formidable player and discover more with us today.


Cards like Arcane Denial

Arcane Denial serves as a unique disruptor within the suite of counter spells available to players in Magic: The Gathering. At a glance, it shares a resemblance with the classic Counterspell, both of which offer a straightforward way to negate an opponent’s spell. However, Arcane Denial upends expectations by allowing the countered spell’s controller to draw up to two cards during their next draw step, while the caster of Arcane Denial gets to draw a card as well.

Assessing a closely related card, Mana Leak presents a cost-effective alternative to Arcane Denial, demanding that the target’s controller pays an additional three mana to prevent the counter. Meanwhile, Memory Lapse provides a temporary solution by placing the countered spell back on top of its owner’s library instead of presenting an opportunity for card advantage. Delay is another kindred spirit, suspending the target spell for a few turns rather than an outright cancel or card exchange.

When considering Arcane Denial in comparison to other counter options, its blend of immediate spell disruption and potential future card advantage makes it a compelling choice for decks that can leverage the resulting card draw while mitigating any advantages granted to the opposition.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Delay - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Mana Leak - Stronghold (STH)
Memory Lapse - Homelands (HML)
Delay - Future Sight (FUT)

Cards similar to Arcane Denial by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Updraft - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Response - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Commander Masters (CMM)
Hurkyl's Recall - Antiquities (ATQ)
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Lat-Nam's Legacy - Alliances (ALL)
Flash - Mirage (MIR)
Boomerang - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Updraft - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rebound - Stronghold (STH)
Memory Lapse - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Hoodwink - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Tidal Bore - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Accumulated Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Teferi's Response - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Aether Burst - Odyssey (ODY)
Impulse - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Cyclonic Rift - Commander Masters (CMM)
Thassa's Intervention - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Metamorphose - Scourge (SCG)
Flash Counter - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Echoing Truth - Modern Masters (MMA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcane Denial MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Arcane Denial and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Arcane Denial Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-06-10AlliancesALL 22a1993normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
21996-06-10AlliancesALL 22b1993normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861302015normalblackXi Zhang
42007-09-10Masters EditionME1 311997normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
52013-11-01Commander 2013C13 282003normalblackMark Zug
62016-11-11Commander 2016C16 832015normalblackMark Zug
72017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 302015normalblackMark Zug
82018-03-16Masters 25A25 412015normalblackXi Zhang
92019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 2882015normalblackMark Zug
102020-09-26The ListPLST CMA-302015normalblackMark Zug
112020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3932015normalblackXi Zhang
122020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6302015normalblackXi Zhang
132021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1022015normalblackXi Zhang
142023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1842015normalblackDaarken
152023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 842015normalblackXi Zhang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcane Denial has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arcane Denial card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2007-09-16 The controller of the countered spell doesn't choose how many cards to draw until the relevant ability resolves. The player may draw 0, 1, or 2 cards. They choose the number before drawing any cards.

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