Annul MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Annul excels at disrupting opponents’ plans with a low-cost, artifact and enchantment countering ability.
  2. Its instant speed casting allows strategic flexibility during critical gameplay phases.
  3. Primarily fitting in blue or blue-heavy MTG decks due to its specific mana cost.

Text of card

Counter target artifact or enchantment spell.

The most effective way to destroy a spell is to ensure it was never cast in the first place.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Annul stands out in Magic the Gathering as a cost-efficient tool for card advantage. By targetting key noncreature spells at just one blue mana, it can disrupt your opponent’s strategies while keeping your hand fueled for the ongoing battle.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources but by negating an opponent’s early artifact or enchantment, it can slow them down and indirectly give you a tempo advantage as you develop your board unhindered.

Instant Speed: The power to cast Annul at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react during the opponent’s turn. This strategic element can be pivotal in protecting your game plan or pivoting during critical phases of play, making it a versatile card in any blue-focused deck.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Annul is a powerful counter spell against artifacts and enchantments, it doesn’t come with a discard requirement, making it a subtle but critical aspect for deck synergy and support.

Specific Mana Cost: With its mana cost requiring one blue, Annul fits primarily into blue-based or blue-heavy decks. This requirement can restrict deck-building options for players wanting to integrate this countermeasure in multi-color decks without sufficient blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Annul’s mana cost is low, being a single blue mana, it’s worth noting that in the landscape of counter spells and mana efficiency, other spells might offer broader utility or less restrictive activation requirements, which can be more valuable in situations where artifacts or enchantments are not the main concern.


Reasons to Include Annul in Your Collection

Versatility: Annul is an extremely cost-efficient counter spell that can be easily slotted into any blue deck. Its ability to target enchantments and artifacts makes it a versatile option, particularly in metas where these card types are prevalent.

Combo Potential: As a low-cost spell, Annul works well within combo decks or as a safeguard for your own combo pieces. It can disrupt opponents’ strategies by preemptively countering key artifacts or enchantments, protecting your winning conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy with artifact and enchantment plays, Annul finds its place as a mainstay sideboard card. Its ability to undercut high-cost threats for a single blue mana can shift the tide of the game, making it a meta-relevant choice for competitive play.


How to beat

Annul is one of those cards in Magic the Gathering that can be a thorn in any player’s side, particularly if your strategy relies heavily on artifacts and enchantments. This blue counterspell, due to its low casting cost, allows players to thwart the deployment of a game-changing artifact or enchantment early on. But like any other card, Annul is not without its vulnerabilities.

One effective tactic to overcome Annul is to bait it out. Present a less crucial artifact or enchantment as the sacrificial lamb to draw out the Annul, then follow up with your more impactful spells. Another strategy is to apply pressure by playing multiple threats in a single turn. This can overwhelm a player relying on Annul, as they typically have limited mana available and can only counter so many spells at once. Lastly, considering Anulls are often used in the early game, if the game progresses beyond the initial rounds, the opportunity to utilize it may dwindle as more formidable spells come into play.

Adaptability is key when facing a card like Annul. By being mindful of the timing, baiting, and applying constant pressure, you can effectively mitigate its disruptive impact and maintain the upper hand in your MTG battles.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves more than knowing your cards; it’s about understanding how to use them effectively. Annul, with its potential for strategic plays at a low cost, can be a game-changer, especially in metas with abundant artifacts and enchantments. If you’re aiming to refine your blue deck’s defenses or looking for sideboard options that offer bang for your mana, this card deserves consideration. Ready to optimize your deck and outwit your opponents? Dive deeper with us into the strategies and card synergies that could escalate your MTG gameplay to new heights.


Cards like Annul

Annul stands out as a highly efficient counterspell in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in scenarios that call for an inexpensive way to deal with artifacts or enchantments. Annul is akin to other spells in its category like Steel Sabotage, which also offers a counter specifically for artifacts at the same low cost. However, Steel Sabotage doesn’t extend its reach to enchantments, making Annul more versatile in certain game states.

Another comparable card is Dispel, which efficiently thwarts opposing instants for just one blue mana. While Dispel’s scope is narrow compared to Annul’s artifact and enchantment specialization, it can be vital when up against instant-speed interaction in a game. Spell Pierce is also worth mentioning, as this spell can counter noncreature spells unless their caster pays additional mana. Spell Pierce is broader in its applicability than Annul, yet its effectiveness wanes as the game progresses and opponents accumulate resources.

Overall, Annul’s ability to counter key artifacts or enchantments for a single mana bolsters its position as a staple in sideboards or in decks tailored to combat specific metagames in Magic: The Gathering.

Steel Sabotage - MTG Card versions
Dispel - MTG Card versions
Spell Pierce - MTG Card versions
Steel Sabotage - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Dispel - Worldwake (WWK)
Spell Pierce - Zendikar (ZEN)

Cards similar to Annul by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - Vintage Championship (OVNT)
Jump - Magic 2010 (M10)
Sleight of Mind - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Twiddle - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Unsummon - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Siren's Call - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Power Sink - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Blue Elemental Blast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Spell Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Magical Hack - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Riptide - The Dark (DRK)
Winter's Chill - Ice Age (ICE)
Mind Bend - Tenth Edition (10E)
Denied! - Unglued (UGL)
Hydroblast - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Whispers of the Muse - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Ertai's Trickery - Planeshift (PLS)
Force Spike - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Opt - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Envelop - Judgment (JUD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Annul MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Annul and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Annul Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 591997normalblackGreg Simanson
22000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 jf59sb1997normalgoldGreg Simanson
32003-10-02MirrodinMRD 292003normalblackBrian Snõddy
42004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 ap29sb2003normalgoldBrian Snõddy
52004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 gn292003normalgoldBrian Snõddy
62013-09-27TherosTHS 382003normalblackChristine Choi
72021-02-05KaldheimKHM 422015normalblackCaio Monteiro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Annul has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

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