Dismiss MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Dismiss offers card advantage and potential game tempo control by countering threats and drawing cards.
  2. Its specific mana requirements and discard cost can be limiting, making it less flexible for some decks.
  3. Despite its higher mana cost, Dismiss remains relevant and offers strategic depth in control strategies.

Text of card

Counter target spell. Draw a card.

"There is nothing you can do that I cannot simply deny." —Ertai, wizard adept


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dismiss ensures that you not only counter a target spell, preventing your opponent from gaining any traction but also allows you to draw a card, thereby keeping your hand replenished. This dual action maintains your card advantage while disrupting your opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While Dismiss itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, it efficiently preserves your resources by countering key spells. Preventing a potentially game-changing spell with a single card is a form of indirect resource acceleration, ensuring that you don’t fall behind in the game’s tempo.

Instant Speed: The power of Dismiss is amplified by its instant speed, providing the flexibility to respond to threats on your opponent’s turn. This can be a game-changer, allowing you to better manage your turns and react with precision to the unfolding game. Instant-speed spells like Dismiss are highly valued for their ability to adapt to dynamic gameplay, keeping opponents on their toes and questioning every move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When casting Dismiss, one of the drawbacks is the necessity to discard a card from your hand. This requirement can potentially deplete valuable resources, particularly in situations where your hand is already scant, making it less than ideal in the late stages of the game or within decks that do not have sufficient card draw mechanisms to compensate for the loss.

Specific Mana Cost: Dismiss comes with a specific mana cost that includes both blue and colorless mana, which may not always seamlessly fit into the mana curve of a deck. Players running multi-colored decks might find it challenging to have the right mana combination available at the right time, therefore reducing the flexibility and overall utility of the card in a variety of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to play Dismiss is considered high relative to other counter spells or removal cards available in MTG. With a total of four mana (two of which must be blue), players may find more economical options for counter magic strategies. This higher casting cost could potentially slow down a player’s tempo and make it harder to keep up with opponents playing more efficient spells.


Reasons to Include Dismiss in Your Collection

Versatility: Dismiss offers the dual ability to counter a spell and draw a card, making it a valuable resource for blue control decks. Its ability to handle threats and replace itself in your hand makes it a stalwart option against a wide array of opponents.

Combo Potential: As Dismiss contributes to your hand size, it works well with cards or strategies that capitalize on having a substantial number of cards in hand. This can be particularly effective in decks built around the ‘draw-go’ style, where maximizing resources each turn is crucial.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with powerful spells, having a reliable counter can be the difference between victory and defeat. Dismiss fits seamlessly into the framework of most blue-based control strategies, highlighting its ongoing relevance as part of a well-prepared deck’s arsenal.


How to beat

Dismiss is a control player’s dream, effortlessly neutralizing threats while replacing itself in your hand. To effectively counter this tactic, prioritize baiting out the counter spell with less critical spells. This strategy forces the Dismiss user to decide between holding onto the card for a more significant threat or potentially wasting it on a lesser play. Additionally, you can employ spells with uncounterable features or utilize abilities that cast spells without actually “casting” them, such as those found in the cascade mechanic.

Another method is to accumulate a range of threats in your hand and deploy them all in one turn. By overloading the opponent’s available mana, you’re more likely to successfully resolve a key spell. Moreover, cards that grant you additional draws or allow you to play spells at instant speed can increase your resilience against counter strategies. Remember, the best approach is to keep the pressure up and make them use their Dismiss prematurely or when it’s least beneficial for them.

Ultimately, while Dismiss can be a formidable obstacle, a well-timed and strategic play sequence can preserve your momentum and diminish the card’s impact on the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding how to optimize the use of Dismiss in MTG can define the line between victory and defeat. At BurnMana, we recommend considering the overall synergy of Dismiss with your deck’s strategy to ensure it complements your gameplay. Assess your deck’s ability to manage the discard requirement and work around the specific mana cost to leverage its full potential. If you’re a control deck aficionado looking to sustain card advantage while countering crucial spells, incorporating Dismiss could be a game-changer. Keen to unlock more insights and enhance your MTG prowess with strategic card choices like Dismiss? Delve deeper with us and cultivate your deck to its utmost strength.


Cards like Dismiss

Dismiss is an intriguing control spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering both counter and draw capabilities. It aligns with spells such as Counterspell, which also provides definitive counteraction against opponents’ spells. Dismiss, however, elevates this by allowing a player to draw a card, thereby maintaining hand advantage. While Counterspell is leaner with a mere two mana cost, Dismiss requires four mana, which may seem steep but is offset by the card advantage it provides.

When we consider Cryptic Command, there’s an evident comparison to be made. This modal spell not only counters but also can draw a card amongst its options, while providing more versatility. However, it comes with a higher mana cost and a stringent color requirement. Rewind is another card that offers countering without losing the mana you spent, as it untaps four lands. It does not, however, allow for an immediate draw like Dismiss does, potentially making Dismiss a preferable choice for maintaining card parity.

Ultimately, Dismiss stands as a solid choice within the counter-draw spell niche, balancing its higher mana cost with a valuable card advantage that can be pivotal in control strategies throughout the game of Magic: The Gathering.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Rewind - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Cryptic Command - Lorwyn (LRW)
Rewind - Urza's Saga (USG)

Cards similar to Dismiss by color, type and mana cost

Deflection - MTG Card versions
Ray of Command - MTG Card versions
Inspiration - MTG Card versions
Turnabout - MTG Card versions
Quash - MTG Card versions
Thwart - MTG Card versions
Plagiarize - MTG Card versions
Fact or Fiction - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Fold into Aether - MTG Card versions
Part the Veil - MTG Card versions
Surging Aether - MTG Card versions
Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions
Gifts Given - MTG Card versions
Discombobulate - MTG Card versions
Permafrost Trap - MTG Card versions
Bone to Ash - MTG Card versions
Sudden Storm - MTG Card versions
Weave Fate - MTG Card versions
Aetherize - MTG Card versions
Deflection - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ray of Command - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Inspiration - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Turnabout - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Quash - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Thwart - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Plagiarize - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Fact or Fiction - The Brothers' War Commander (BRC)
Cryptic Command - Amonkhet Invocations (MP2)
Fold into Aether - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Part the Veil - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Surging Aether - Coldsnap (CSP)
Careful Consideration - Modern Masters (MMA)
Gifts Given - Happy Holidays (HHO)
Discombobulate - Tenth Edition (10E)
Permafrost Trap - Worldwake (WWK)
Bone to Ash - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Sudden Storm - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Weave Fate - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Aetherize - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dismiss MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Dismiss and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dismiss Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 581997normalblackDonato Giancola
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb58a1997normalgoldDonato Giancola
32001-01-01Arena League 2001PAL01 41997normalblackDonato Giancola
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360601997normalblackDonato Giancola
52013-11-01Commander 2013C13 392003normalblackDonato Giancola
62014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1062015normalblackDonato Giancola
72015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 452015normalblackDonato Giancola
82016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1082015normalblackDonato Giancola
92021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 1822015normalblackDonato Giancola
102022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2862015normalblackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dismiss has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

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