Dispersal Shield MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set name	Scourge
Set code	SCG
Number	33
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Key Takeaways

Dispersal Shield grants card protection at instant speed, economical for mana and card hand size.
Its cost variably scales with target spells, adding strategic depth to control-heavy decks.
Versatility in different metas and decks makes Dispersal Shield a valuable addition to collections.

Text of card

Counter target spell if its converted mana cost is less than or equal to the highest converted mana cost among permanents you control.

"Maybe next time."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dispersal Shield provides a unique form of card advantage by potentially protecting your key creatures or other permanents from removal or damage without the need to sacrifice card quantity in hand, therefore preserving your in-game resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your resources in the traditional sense, Dispersal Shield can save valuable mana by offering an efficient and cost-effective solution for protection compared to more costly alternatives, thus indirectly contributing to better mana allocation in critical moments.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Dispersal Shield allows for flexible play decisions. You can adapt swiftly to the evolving board state, deploying it exactly when needed to foil an opponent’s plans without committing resources prematurely, making it a highly adaptable tool in any player’s arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Not applicable as Dispersal Shield does not require a discard.

Specific Mana Cost: While Dispersal Shield requires only a single blue mana, the necessity of matching the converted mana cost of the spell you wish to counter may force a specific mana setup, which could be less efficient when you’re trying to maintain a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The variability of its cost in relation to the spell you target means you could potentially pay a high mana cost to counter a high-cost spell. This could deter players from including it in decks that favor low-cost counterspells for more predictable and consistent control.

Reasons to Include Dispersal Shield in Your Collection

Versatility: Dispersal Shield shines in its ability to slot into a variety of deck archetypes. Its utility in protecting key creatures or saving critical permanents makes it an adaptable choice for control and combo decks alike.

Combo Potential: In the right setup, this card works wonders. It can fortify combos by safeguarding important combo pieces from targeted removal, ensuring that your meticulously planned plays go off without a hitch.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment fluctuates, Dispersal Shield maintains relevance by answering popular spot removal spells. In metas heavy with targeted disruption, this card’s value surges, providing a countermeasure that’s both efficient and unexpected.

How to beat Dispersal Shield

Dispersal Shield adds a unique twist to the array of counterspells within the MTG realm. This blue instant distinguishes itself by potentially countering a spell with a cost relative to the number of blue permanents you control. This makes it an excellent choice in a deck heavy with blue cards. Unlike staples such as Counterspell, which terminate a spell unconditionally for two blue mana, Dispersal Shield’s effectiveness scales with your board presence.

While it might seem daunting to face an opponent armed with Dispersal Shield, overcoming this card involves a straightforward strategy. Increasing the diversity of mana colors on your board reduces Dispersal Shield’s effectiveness since its potency is tied to blue permanents. Introducing cards that can’t be countered, like Supreme Verdict or various creatures with the creature type “Dinosaur” often featuring the “cannot be countered” ability, can nullify the benefits of Dispersal Shield. Moreover, playing instants and abilities on your opponent’s turn can exhaust their blue resources, making Dispersal Shield less of a threat. Patience and timing are key; force the Dispersal Shield out early, or wait until your opponent is resource-strapped to play your crucial spells.

In essence, smart deck building and playing around your opponent’s mana base can turn the tide against Dispersal Shield, making it less of a hurdle as the game progresses.

Cards like Dispersal Shield

Dispersal Shield adds a strategic layer to Magic: The Gathering’s counter spell arsenal. Its ability to counter target spell unless its controller pays an additional amount of mana, equal to the number of cards in your hand, draws parallels with classic counters like Mana Leak. Mana Leak sets a fixed cost for the opponent to pay, while Dispersal Shield scales its difficulty depending on the user’s hand size, offering potentially greater control during late game phases.

Another close relative in terms of mechanics is Condescend, which also forces the spell’s controller to pay X mana where X can be adjusted. Condescend offers the added advantage of scrying, giving you the power to shape upcoming draws. Spell Burst from Time Spiral also works on a similar principle but boasts buyback ability, allowing repeated usage if enough mana can be mustered.

Considering the versatility required in deck building, Dispersal Shield serves as a dynamic tool in a mage’s arsenal, particularly beneficial for those who maintain a healthy hand size. This duo-purpose feature gives it a unique position among its counterparts, catering to players who favour control strategies in their MTG gameplay.

Cards similar to Dispersal Shield by color, type and mana cost

Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions

Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dispersal Shield MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Dispersal Shield and other MTG cards: