Meddle MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 73
2002-10-07 - Number 92
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Denying opponents’ targeted spells is a tactical advantage Meddle provides at instant speed.
- Requiring possession of another card and specific mana, Meddle’s use demands strategic hand management.
- Meddle’s particular niche makes it a specialized, yet effective tool for creature protection in blue decks.
Text of card
Target spell, which targets a single creature, targets another creature of your choice instead. The new target must be legal.
"Shadimir was as surprised as he was relieved when the blow turned aside." —Afari, *Tales*
Card Pros
Manipulating the Battlefield: Meddle’s unique ability to redirect a spell aimed at one of your creatures to another target can turn the tide of a battle by preserving your key players and disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While Meddle itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it effectively protects your resource engines on the board, indirectly maintaining your momentum and potential for growth.
Instant Speed: The power of Meddle is amplified by its instant speed, allowing you to adapt to the game’s ever-changing circumstances and use the card as a surprise element, reshaping the flow of combat or key plays at the most opportune times.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Meddle, you must have a card in hand to pitch, putting you at a potential disadvantage if you’re conserving your hand size. This requirement means that in tight situations, Meddle could deplete your resources faster than you’d like.
Specific Mana Cost: Meddle demands blue mana for casting, which restricts its inclusion to decks that run blue or have a mana base capable of producing multiple colors. This requirement can limit the versatility of your deck and force you to make concessions elsewhere to accommodate Meddle’s color demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana, including two blue, just to redirect a spell can put players behind, especially when compared to alternative lower-cost counterspells or redirection effects. Given the fast-paced nature of many games, the cost of Meddle might not justify its inclusion over more immediate or versatile answers.
Reasons to Include Meddle in Your Collection
Versatility: Meddle is a card that can fit into a wide array of blue-centric decks, serving as a flexible response to opponents’ creatures. Its ability to redirect the target of an ability or attack without countering makes it a subtle yet powerful tool.
Combo Potential: This card shines in situations where you can turn opponents’ tricks against them. For instance, redirecting a removal spell to a more advantageous target or messing with combat tricks to shift the tide in your favor demonstrates its combo potential.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with creature-focused strategies, Meddle stands out. It can disrupt your opponent’s plays without needing to counter a spell outright. As it operates in a way that some players may not expect, it can be a strategic addition to sideboards or main decks to gain an edge in creature-heavy metas.
How to beat
Meddle, while not as commonly encountered in the Magic: The Gathering meta, presents a unique form of interaction by redirecting the target of a spell or ability. This can be a moment of surprise and shift in strategy, potentially turning the tide of a duel. Overcoming this card involves a keen sense of timing and a thoughtful approach to baiting out your opponent’s resources. Having spells that can’t be countered, such as those with the ability “can’t be countered,” ensures your key plays make it to the battlefield as planned.
Another effective strategy is to hold onto cards with multiple targets or modal spells, complicating the process for Meddle to effectively disrupt your plays. Consider using instants and abilities on your turn to reduce the window of opportunity for Meddle to be used. Moreover, keeping track of the mana your opponent has available can indicate whether they’re holding Meddle or similar tricks up their sleeve. Thus, playing around this card requires patience, planning, and a little bit of bluffing, enticing your opponent to waste their Meddle at a less crucial moment.
In sum, Meddle can be overpowered by smart play that includes uncounterable spells, multi-target abilities, or simply by forcing the opponent into a position where using Meddle is not advantageous. Familiarizing yourself with these tactics will leave you better prepared to face this tricky card across the table.
Cards like Meddle
Meddle stands out in the realm of blue interruption spells in Magic: The Gathering. This spell is similar to Redirect, which also allows players to change the target of a spell with a single target. While Redirect is versatile due to its ability to affect any spell, Meddle requires the spell to be targeting a creature you control, placing it in a more nuanced niche.
Another akin card is Misdirection, which shares the functionality of changing the target of spells but does so at no mana cost if you discard another blue card from your hand. Misdirection’s free casting option under its alternate cost conditions can provide a significant advantage during crucial turns. In contrast to these alternatives, Meddle is considered more cost-effective due to its lower casting cost even though it isn’t as flexible.
Overall, Meddle finds its place among the tactical defenses Magic: The Gathering offers. Its specificity caters to players who focus on protecting their creatures, and it does so efficiently. While it doesn’t boast the broad redirecting ability of some of its counterparts, its cost-effectiveness and strategic depth can make it a smart inclusion in creature-centric blue decks.
Cards similar to Meddle by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Meddle MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Onslaught, 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 Meddle and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Meddle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Meddle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Only works on spells with a single target, where that target is a creature. Will not work on spells that target a single creature and a player, for example. |
