MScore: 9.0/10

Counterbalance

{U} {U}

Enchantmentuncommon

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may reveal the top card of your library. If you do, counter that spell if it has the same mana value as the revealed card.

Illustrated by John Zeleznik · The List · #CSP-31

Rulings for Counterbalance

2017-04-18
If an opponent casts half of a split card (for example, Hit), it won't be countered if you reveal that same split card. The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves, but the mana value of Hit is determined using only that half's mana cost.

2006-07-15
If an opponent casts a spell with X in its mana cost, the mana value of that spell takes the value of X into account. If you reveal a card with X in its mana cost, X is 0. For example, if your opponent casts Blaze with X=1, Counterbalance will counter that spell if you reveal a card with mana value 2, but it won't counter that spell if you reveal a Blaze of your own.

All Printings

Secret Lair Drop#20662025rare Mystery Booster 2#1572024uncommon The List#CSP-312023uncommon Secret Lair Drop#12202023rare Amonkhet Invocations#92017special Coldsnap

Format Legality

Duellegal

Brawlnot legal

Pennynot legal

Predhlegal

Futurenot legal

Legacylegal

Modernlegal

Paupernot legal

Alchemynot legal

Pioneernot legal

Vintagelegal

Historicnot legal

Standardnot legal

Cards Similar to Counterbalance

Whenever an opponent casts a spell from their hand, you may reveal the top card of your library. If it shares a card type with that spell, counter that spell and that opponent may cast the revealed card without paying its mana cost.

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays .

10.0/10~$59

Rhystic Study

Enchantment

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays .

5.2/10$0.42

Psychic Surgery

Enchantment

Whenever an opponent shuffles their library, you may look at the top two cards of that library. You may exile one of those cards. Then put the rest on top of that library in any order.

5.2/10$0.42

Psychic Surgery

Enchantment

Whenever an opponent shuffles their library, you may look at the top two cards of that library. You may exile one of those cards. Then put the rest on top of that library in any order.

$0.38

Checks and Balances

Enchantment

Cast this spell only if there are three or more players in the game.

Whenever a player casts a spell, each of that player's opponents may discard a card. If they do, counter that spell.

$0.38

Checks and Balances

Enchantment

Cast this spell only if there are three or more players in the game.

Whenever a player casts a spell, each of that player's opponents may discard a card. If they do, counter that spell.

0.3/10$0.13

Mindreaver

Creature — Human Wizard

2/1

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets this creature, exile the top three cards of target player's library.

, Sacrifice this creature: Counter target spell with the same name as a card exiled with this creature.

0.3/10$0.13

Mindreaver

Creature — Human Wizard

2/1

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets this creature, exile the top three cards of target player's library.

, Sacrifice this creature: Counter target spell with the same name as a card exiled with this creature.

2.2/10$0.40

Unifying Theory

Enchantment

Whenever a player casts a spell, that player may pay . If the player does, they draw a card.

2.2/10$0.40

Unifying Theory

Enchantment

Whenever a player casts a spell, that player may pay . If the player does, they draw a card.