Laquatus's Disdain MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Number	44
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pete Venters

Key Takeaways

Countering spells and drawing cards with Laquatus’s Disdain can shift game momentum in your favor.
Discard requirement and specific mana costs may limit Laquatus’s Disdain’s deck compatibility.
Laquatus’s Disdain’s potential graveyard synergy makes it a strategic choice in certain MTG decks.

Text of card

Counter target spell played from a graveyard. Draw a card.

"The first time was amusing, but now you're getting tiresome."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Laquatus’s Disdain enables you to counter key opponent spells and potentially draw a card if you control a Wizard. This can swing the momentum in your favor by disrupting your opponent’s strategy while enriching your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a resource accelerator, by countering crucial spells with Laquatus’s Disdain, you effectively set your opponent back, allowing you to pull ahead and make better use of your resources in future turns.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells is what makes them powerful, and Laquatus’s Disdain is no exception. You can bide your time, assess the situation, and choose the optimal moment to cast it, all while keeping the threat of a counter present, which may deter your opponent from playing their best spells when you have untapped mana.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Laquatus’s Disdain comes with the caveat of requiring you to discard a card. This can be particularly disadvantageous when your hand is already low on cards, forcing tough decisions about resource management and potentially setting you back in card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost necessitates one blue mana, which means it may not fit efficiently into multicolor decks that are not heavily blue. Players who do not run a deck with a strong blue mana base may find Laquatus’s Disdain inconsistent with their mana strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two generic mana and one blue mana, Laquatus’s Disdain is on the higher end for its effect when compared to other counter spells available in the game. The cost effectiveness of Laquatus’s Disdain could be questioned when alternatives may offer similar effects for a lesser mana investment.

Reasons to Include Laquatus’s Disdain in Your Collection

Versatility: Laquatus’s Disdain is a flexible card, capable of fitting into various blue-based decks. Its ability to counter spells unless their caster pays an additional cost makes it a useful tool for controlling the flow of the game. It’s particularly effective in formats where keeping a tight grip on the opponent’s actions is crucial.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos with cards that restrict mana or in situations where your opponent is tapped out, ensuring their inability to pay the extra cost. Additionally, in decks that manipulate the stack or feature numerous counters, Laquatus’s Disdain can be a cost-effective option to maintain dominance.

Meta-Relevance: Against a meta where key spells determine the outcome of matches, having an accessible countermeasure is vital. Laquatus’s Disdain can disrupt opponents’ strategies efficiently, maintaining your competitive edge in tournaments and casual play alike. With the ever-shifting meta, this card is a strategic addition to any collection aiming to keep pace with current trends.

How to beat

Laquatus’s Disdain presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This counter spell not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy by countering a target spell but also allows them to surveil, offering significant deck manipulation capabilities. To successfully navigate around Laquatus’s Disdain, it’s essential to bait out the counter with less crucial spells or wait until your opponent’s mana is tapped out, reducing their ability to cast it.

Playing around this spell involves a careful assessment of the situation. Employing instant speed spells can pressure opponents into using their mana during their own turn, leaving them vulnerable on yours. Implementing spells that can’t be countered or using cards that grant your spells uncounterable status also serves as an effective countermeasure. Additionally, decking spells with split second ensures they resolve before Laquatus’s Disdain can reach them, rendering its influence null.

As with any control match-up, patience is key. By strategically planning your plays and keeping track of your opponent’s mana and potential for counterspells, you can outmaneuver Laquatus’s Disdain, ensuring your key spells make the impactful entrance on the game you seek.

Cards like Laquatus's Disdain

Laquatus’s Disdain stands out in the realm of counter spells within Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to cards like Cancel, which equally counters target spells but without any additional benefits. Laquatus’s Disdain, on the other hand, offers a unique upside by potentially putting nonland cards from the top of your library into your graveyard, setting the stage for potential graveyard strategies.

Comparatively, there’s Dissolve, which serves the same function of countering a spell but sweetens the deal by letting you scry 1. This subtle bonus grants players incremental advantage over time as it provides more control over upcoming draws. Another counterpart is Didn’t Say Please, imposing a cost on the opponent by milling three cards from their library when you counter their spells; this could be strategically beneficial if you’re running a mill-oriented deck.

In essence, while Laquatus’s Disdain may not revolutionize the way counter spells are played, its added graveyard interaction may make it a suitable choice for decks that thrive on such synergies. Smart deck-building around this card could leverage its niche advantage in MTG, melding disruption with setup for future plays.

Cards similar to Laquatus's Disdain 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 Laquatus's Disdain MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Laquatus's Disdain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Laquatus's Disdain has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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