Spelljack MTG Card


Spelljack - Judgment
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Released2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set nameJudgment
Set codeJUD
Number51
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPete Venters

Key Takeaways

  1. Spelljack offers card advantage by countering spells and allowing you to cast them, altering the game’s dynamics.
  2. With a high mana cost and specific color requirements, its utility is balanced by potential strategic inflexibility.
  3. It’s a worthwhile addition for its versatility in control decks and potential to shift the competitive meta.

Text of card

Counter target spell. If it's countered this way, remove it from the game instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard. As long as it remains removed from the game, you may play it as though it were in your hand without paying its mana cost. If it has X in its mana cost, X is 0.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spelljack’s unique ability to not only counter a target spell but also to cast it for yourself without paying its mana cost puts you at a distinct card advantage. This dual function can swing the tide of a game as you deny your opponent’s move while bolstering your own strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While Spelljack itself does not directly accelerate resources, its capability to commandeer an opponent’s spell can result in accessing abilities or effects that could potentially ramp up your resources depending on the spell taken.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Spelljack confers the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s crucial turn or strategically pivotal spell. This capacity to respond in real-time makes it an invaluable tool in maintaining control of the game’s pace and protecting your interests with precision.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Spelljack does not explicitly require a discard, countering a spell and choosing not to cast it essentially results in a forfeiture of that card’s potential, akin to discarding from your own hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Spelljack’s demanding requirement of three blue mana can hinder its inclusion in decks with a diverse color palette, limiting its playability primarily to mono-blue or blue-heavy deck constructions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana, Spelljack’s cost is steep compared to other counterspells in the game. This can slow down your tempo significantly, making it less efficient when dealing with faster, more aggressive strategies that capitalize on cheap spells.


Reasons to Include Spelljack in Your Collection

Versatility: Spelljack is a unique card that can be a game-changer in any control-based deck. The ability to counter a spell and then cast it without paying its mana cost offers a broad spectrum of possible plays, allowing you to adapt to various situations on the fly.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on casting your opponents’ spells or strategies that benefit from spellslinger synergies. By integrating Spelljack into such a combo, you can potentially turn the tide of the game with a well-timed play.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where high-impact spells are prevalent, Spelljack provides an answer that not only thwarts your opponent’s plans but also turns their resources against them. It’s a remarkable inclusion for anyone looking to stay ahead in a constantly shifting competitive landscape.


How to beat

Spelljack is a unique counter spell that encapsulates the essence of control in Magic: The Gathering. As a card that not only negates an opponent’s spell but allows you to cast that spell without paying its mana cost, it offers a distinct advantage. However, overcoming Spelljack involves strategy and foresight. A common tactic is baiting your opponent into using Spelljack on a less crucial spell, thereby preserving your more valuable cards. Additionally, utilizing spells that can’t be countered, such as those with the “cannot be countered” text, ensures your key plays aren’t thwarted. Moreover, instant-speed spells that disrupt your opponent’s mana can prevent them from having enough resources to cast Spelljack. Finally, playing around your opponent’s mana availability by casting important spells when they’re tapped out, eliminates the opportunity for Spelljack to be used effectively against you. Adapt your gameplay, anticipate Spelljack’s presence, and employ these strategies to mitigate its impact and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


Cards like Spelljack

Spelljack, a notable counterspell in Magic: The Gathering, finds its place among powerful game-changers capable of not just nullifying an opponent’s spell, but also capturing it to use at a later time. This unique ability gives Spelljack a particular edge over other counters like Counterspell, which simply negates the spell without further advantage. While Counterspell demands less mana investment, it lacks the strategic depth provided by Spelljack’s ability to turn an opponent’s threat into an opportunity for the caster.

Comparatively, we see Dissipate’s role in the counterspell family. It exiles the countered spell, preventing any form of retrieval from the graveyard—a feature Spelljack doesn’t address. Yet, Dissipate doesn’t offer the caster the same benefit of harnessing the opponent’s spell as Spelljack does. Then there’s Desertion, which also allows you to gain control of a countered artifact or creature spell, albeit at a higher cost compared to Spelljack, and only limited to two spell types.

Assessing the various twists and tactical nuances each spell brings to the table, Spelljack emerges as a formidable option for players looking to maximize every counter by not just denying but also adopting their opponent’s strategies.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Dissipate - MTG Card versions
Desertion - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Dissipate - MTG Card versions
Desertion - MTG Card versions

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Supplant Form - MTG Card versions
True Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Discontinuity - MTG Card versions
Into Thin Air - MTG Card versions
Reweave - MTG Card versions
Time Stop - MTG Card versions
Overwhelming Intellect - MTG Card versions
Gather Specimens - MTG Card versions
Counterlash - MTG Card versions
Chronostutter - MTG Card versions
Waterwhirl - MTG Card versions
Will of the Naga - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord's Prerogative - MTG Card versions
Mirror Match - MTG Card versions
Aethersnatch - MTG Card versions
Synthetic Destiny - MTG Card versions
Scour the Laboratory - MTG Card versions
Prying Eyes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spelljack 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 Spelljack and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spelljack has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spelljack 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 If you cast an instant or sorcery, it goes to its owner’s graveyard when it resolves.
2004-10-04 This spell can be used on a spell cast using Flashback.
2008-08-01 If you use this on an opponent’s spell which has Buyback, you may pay the Buyback cost as you cast it. If you do so, the card will go to its owner’s hand upon resolution. It will not go to your hand, nor to any player’s graveyard.

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