Void Shatter MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Abilities	Devoid
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Number	49
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jason Felix

Key Takeaways

Void Shatter offers card advantage by exiling spells, thwarting opponent’s potential card recursion strategies.
While demanding specific mana, it allows for strategic play without costing additional hand resources.
A control staple in MTG, its versatility and meta relevance make it a formidable inclusion in any collection.

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard.

Eldrazi break concentration like glass.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Void Shatter excels at keeping your hand fueled by successfully countering any spell, ensuring your opponent loses a resource while you maintain your card economy. Its exile component prevents potential recursion, which in many ways can be equated to generating card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing resource acceleration, Void Shatter effectively disrupts opponents’ attempts to establish board presence or accelerate their own resources, giving you a de facto speed advantage in the race for board control.

Instant Speed: This disruption piece operates at instant speed, offering the flexibility to respond to threats in real time. This allows a player to tactically navigate through each turn, making decisions with a complete understanding of the game state, and choosing the most opportune moments to act.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike its predecessors in the counter spell family, Void Shatter does not demand a card to be discarded. Its mechanics are based purely on mana expenditure, which allows players to retain valuable hand resources, avoiding a potential strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the challenges when playing Void Shatter is its strict mana requirements. Demanding one colorless and two blue mana, it commands a precise combination that may not always be easily accessible, especially in multicolored decks that thrive on mana diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Void Shatter stands on the steeper side of the mana curve when compared to other counter spells. Some players might find this cost restrictive, as it can delay the establishment of board presence or the execution of other pivotal plays within a game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Void Shatter is a staple counterspell with the added benefit of exiling the targeted spell, which can be a crucial interaction in formats where graveyard recursion is prevalent.

Combo Potential: As a versatile disruption piece, Void Shatter can be an integral part of control strategies, synergizing with cards and mechanics that take advantage of exile effects.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by powerful spells and combo decks, Void Shatter stands as a reliable answer, keeping your opponents’ key plays at bay while you advance your game plan.

How to beat

Void Shatter is an impactful counter spell in Magic: The Gathering known for its ability to exile the targeted spell, ensuring that it can’t be used again from the graveyard. This type of removal is crucial in disrupting strategies reliant on recursion. To effectively overcome Void Shatter, consider adopting a more aggressive game plan by playing low-cost spells that can slip under the radar before your opponent accumulates the required mana to cast it. Another effective strategy is to bait out the counter with a less crucial spell, paving the way for more important ones.

One can also turn to spells with the ‘cannot be countered’ clause, rendering Void Shatter impotent. Cards like Cavern of Souls can ensure your creatures dodge such counterspells. Moreover, keeping up the pressure with multiple threats simultaneously can overwhelm a player relying on Void Shatter. This forces them to choose one, letting the other spells resolve. Patience is key; waiting until your opponent is tapped out or low on resources can create a window to resolve your significant spells safely.

In essence, beating Void Shatter calls for tactical play, precise timing, and a mix of uncounterable spells and strategic baits. Changing the rhythm of your play and keeping opponent’s resources stretched thin could tilt the match in your favor.

BurnMana Recommendations

With its prowess in exiling spells, Void Shatter is a prime choice for MTG players aiming to refine their control strategies and maintain the upper hand. As we’ve seen, its capacity to disrupt opponents at crucial moments makes it a formidable weapon in your arsenal. Keep your deck agile and your strategy flexible; integrate Void Shatter to safeguard against recursion and press the advantage it brings to your game. Interested in enhancing your MTG journey and adding a layer of deftness to your plays? Dive deeper with us to unlock the full potential of Void Shatter and other impactful cards, ensuring your place as a skilled tactician at the tabletop. Join BurnMana and witness your gameplay evolve.

Cards like Void Shatter

In the vast arsenal of counter magic within Magic: The Gathering, Void Shatter stands out as a formidable three-mana instant, often likened to the classic Dissipate. Not only does Void Shatter counter a target spell, but it also exiles it, preventing any further graveyard interactions. This is akin to Dissipate’s methodology, however, Void Shatter gains the edge with its Devoid trait, meaning it has no color and can be beneficial in certain game scenarios.

Disdainful Stroke is another counterpart, specializing in countering only spells with a mana cost of four or greater, at a lower cost of two mana. Although less flexible, Disdainful Stroke serves as a more efficient option in decks focused on battling larger threats. Mystic Confluence, alternatively, is versatile but significantly costlier at five mana. It provides the option to counter a spell or offers other benefits, yet the higher mana cost and different effects create a distinct playstyle choice compared to Void Shatter.

Upon evaluating the game’s requirements and strategic depth, Void Shatter demonstrates a competitive edge with its simple yet effective exile clause. A solid choice for players implementing control tactics, it harmonizes disruption with mana efficiency. Thus, in the realm of disruption spells, Void Shatter incontrovertibly claims its position as a mainstay in many MTG decks.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Void Shatter MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Void Shatter and other MTG cards: