Scatter Arc MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Number	48
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Peter Mohrbacher

Key Takeaways

Combines spell countering with drawing a card for greater battlefield control and card advantage.
Instant speed allows flexible, real-time responses to opponents’ moves.
Demands strategic mana management, providing power at a potential cost.

Text of card

Counter target noncreature spell. Draw a card.

"Should your chosen emissary be able to fluctuate triharmonic pentodes, however unlikely, I shall shunt excess negavolt radicals."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scatter Arc not only counters an opponent’s spell, but with its card draw effect, you’re gaining an edge by replenishing your hand, thus maintaining or enhancing your card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Scatter Arc itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, effectively countering key spells can indirectly accelerate your game plan by setting your opponent back, leaving you in a position to capitalize on their loss of tempo.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Scatter Arc gives players flexibility to respond in real-time to threats. This adaptability allows you to navigate the game more strategically, reserving mana for reactive plays instead of committing to a course of action early on.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Scatter Arc does not require you to discard a card but does necessitate holding mana open, which can be a setback in maintaining board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Scatter Arc’s cost includes a blue mana requirement, making it exclusive to blue-inclined or multicolor decks, potentially limiting its flexibility in mono-colored or other two-color combinations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one that is color-specific, Scatter Arc competes with other counter spells and draw spells that may provide similar or greater value for less mana or more immediate impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include Scatter Arc in Your Collection

Versatility: Scatter Arc offers flexibility to players by providing a countermeasure against spells while refilling the hand with its draw card feature. This dual aspect makes it a suitable inclusion for various blue-based control or midrange decks seeking to maintain options.

Combo Potential: By countering a key spell and drawing a card, Scatter Arc can smoothly integrate into decks that revolve around instants and sorceries, potentially synergizing with mechanics or cards that care about spell casting, like prowess or spells matter strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with non-creature spells, Scatter Arc gains significance, acting as an efficient tool to disrupt opponents’ plans while simultaneously advancing your own strategy through card draw.

How to beat Scatter Arc

Scatter Arc is a counter spell that not only negates an opponent’s noncreature spell but adds the benefit of drawing a card, making it a situational yet valuable inclusion in blue decks within Magic: The Gathering. When planning a strategy to beat Scatter Arc, consider the timing of your spells. As a counter spell, Scatter Arc can only be cast during a time when you can play an instant, so one approach is to bait out the Scatter Arc with a less crucial spell to clear the path for more significant plays.

Another method is to utilize spells that can’t be countered. Cards such as Supreme Verdict or Cavern of Souls allow you to play creatures or spells without fear of interference from Scatter Arc. Or, integrate instants and activated abilities that can be used on your turn to force the opponent’s hand.

Finally, having an understanding of your opponent’s mana availability is vital. Scatter Arc requires four mana to play, which can leave them vulnerable during their own turn. By applying pressure at the right moments, you can maneuver around the restrictions of Scatter Arc and maintain the momentum of your game plan.

Cards like Scatter Arc

Scatter Arc holds its own among the array of counterspells available to MTG players. Its close counterpart, Cancel, also offers that essential counter target spell feature. However, Scatter Arc ups the ante by providing the additional benefit of card drawing whenever it counters a spell. In this respect, Scatter Arc provides a subtle edge in card advantage, something Cancel forgoes in its simplistic approach.

Moving along, Negate also serves as a staple counterspell but its limitation to noncreature spells gives Scatter Arc a broader application. While Negate shines in countering powerful noncreature spells with its lower casting cost, Scatter Arc does not discriminate between creature and noncreature spells, offering more versatility albeit at a higher cost.

Considering practicality, we recognize that Dissolve is another similar spell which counters while enabling scrying, helping to filter future draws, yet lacking the immediate card draw Scatter Arc delivers. Each spell holds strategic value in different scenarios, but Scatter Arc’s additional card draw often tips the scale in its favor among players who prioritize maintaining hand advantage.

Cards similar to Scatter Arc by color, type and mana cost

Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scatter Arc MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Scatter Arc and other MTG cards: