Which Counterspells are Worth It? | A Guide to Countermagic in Commander

[@ring1313]

What do you guys feel about narsets reversal?

[@NitpickingNerds]

AH! We love that card! I knew we'd forget some 😂

[@jakeaw84]

Such a sneaky “counter” spell :D

[@isaiahsmith7123]

It's super awesome but very situatonal

[@justcausee]

Fork clones have always been pseudo counterspells. Their ceiling is as high as the meta, but I play them for the versatility. Nothing is better than someone about to win on a damage spell line and you add a fork to the stack.

[@isaiahsmith7123]

@@justcausee I love the fork types, as well as cards that collapse the stack, although those are more political and a hail Mary. I usually save stack enders for dramatic moments.

[@Branflakes-lq6wq]

Red Elemental Blast and Pyroblast are amazing because it’s good even if no one is playing blue because that means no one is playing blue 😂

[@NitpickingNerds]

The classic Win, Win

[@dino-wer-kuh3498]

also i really like that you guys actively listen to feedback and started including more pics of cards you are talking about. even though i didnt request it myself, i've seen that suggestion in your comments quite a lot. always cool to have content creators who care for their viewers and not just the views

[@NitpickingNerds]

I am honing my skills as an editor. I want the product to be as good as possible my German lover!

[@reyny2118]

@@NitpickingNerds we Germans love the NitpickingNerds

[@RedFlyingMonkey2k]

You are the perfect power level to me. I love the fact that you dont play just to win but you play to have the chance to win and to have fun. I've learned a lot about commander from you two. So thanks lol

[@NitpickingNerds]

That's great to hear, thanks!

[@wellingtonmcskellington8068]

"You would never play more than 10 counterspells" Baral: those are rookie numbers, we gotta pump those up

[@keabonhall9046]

Baral chief of playing 2 hour games

[@rileypowell5354]

Baral, chief of 1v1

[@MoonlitRose101]

*My vadrick deck with 20-something counterspells*: Pathetic

[@B3NN3TT066]

@@keabonhall9046 I attempted to turn a 30 minute game into a 4 hour game last time I played my baral deck lol

[@Omnivxrse]

lol yup also Talrand, I think my Talrand deck runs something like 18 counterspells

[@Arisawa_Heavy_Ind]

The best and the only counterspell i'm playing is Nullstone Gargoyle

[@NitpickingNerds]

Ewwwww! Lol 😝

[@blackmountain1983]

😆

[@justcausee]

I'm worse I love me some decree of silence combos.

[@ferdithetank7535]

Knowledge Pool lock, anyone?

[@djjmandos]

You did said Negate is budget playable - but I think you were too down on it. It is more versatile than swan song, more reliable than stubborn denial, and more splashable than counterspell. Yes 1 colorless mana is something, but we're still in the realm of 2cc counters here.

[@NitpickingNerds]

I’m not a fan of it but it is playable.

[@AlsoNamedChad]

I agree wholeheartedly with David. I’m not sure why you guys aren’t fans of it. More than half of what I feel the need to counter has always been noncreature spells. It isn’t mana intensive or color intensive. It protects win-cons and can stop a lot of them. Unless your meta is extremely creature heavy, I see no reason not to run it, especially on a budget. You talk about 4 cmc Foil, which has an alternate cost of being a 3 for 1, but for some reason negate doesn’t make the cut.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Negate is amazing card for its monetary price.

[@maxmazza2987]

Note for cEDH: effects that counter triggers are basically ran because of Oracle. While there are other abilities that are relevant that "Stifle effects" can counter, if Oracle was banned, I can nearly guarantee they'd stop seeing play. I also feel that you guys represent the mindset of most EDH players, which is figure out something fun or something interesting that you want to make, and then make that deck to the best of your ability with the resources available. Also, tell Ken that there's way better cards to run in Elesh Norn than Mana Tithe, someone needs to.

[@carlosespadas1022]

They can also disrupt scepter's imprint ability

[@maxmazza2987]

@@carlosespadas1022 I'd say disrupting it at activation and forcing someone else to remove it is better, though depends on board state and turn order.

[@rileypowell5354]

I'm fine stifling bojuka big or tormod's crypt. Some decks just find uses for stifle for incredibly specific reasons

[@bolosandninjarolls]

@@rileypowell5354 this is especially important for those sultai and grixis decks that want to use their graveyards for shenanigans

[@FutureOverYou]

My Muldrotha deck has used Stifle to counter a Bojuka Bog land trigger to keep my graveyard.

[@NitpickingNerds]

God gamer!

[@joaocisne556]

Lapse of certainty is great because it white, so it's unexpected, messes with the opponents tempo by sending the card back to the top of the deck, and is splashable, since it 2 generic and one white

[@ferdithetank7535]

Also, if you like in Boros you can proceed to steal the card you've just countered with Ragavan/Grenzo/Robber of the Riches.

[@FelixxAlrick]

I remember learning once that the mana from mana drain was supposed to be a >downside< because counterspell was determined to be too good.

[@Bananasforthesoul]

Right cause unused mana used to deal damage to you. I’m surprised they didn’t errata the spell to just deal damage to you for the spells cmc.

[@Arisawa_Heavy_Ind]

my favourite arcane denial interaction is countering my own 1 cmc spell to get a delayed "draw 3" for 3

[@NitpickingNerds]

That’s so cute!

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

LOL I wrote that also *HighFive :P

[@Arisawa_Heavy_Ind]

@@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299 great minds think alike haha

[@True_Ronin]

So it’s really pay 3, discard two, then draw 3. It’s like a worse faithless looting.

[@Arisawa_Heavy_Ind]

@@True_Ronin yeah I know but it feels really strong when I do it

[@tomkelly4342]

Best counterspell is Veil of Summer and it’s not even mentioned.

[@johndave8017]

nah force of will and mana drain are better

[@Dreadnaught1985]

My defence of Tales End... is every commander is a legendary And nimble obstructionist, is good in the Gave cycle deck, because you cycle for free.

[@aaronmiller1009]

Hearing you guys talk about your goals for the year is awesome, you’re absolutely crushing it, keep up the good work :)

[@NitpickingNerds]

Thanks so much!! So happy to be crushing our goals 😎👍🏻

[@markoramius4689]

To your CEDH point: I have one CEDH deck, and it's Ruric Thar stax. The single goal of that deck is to demolish blue decks. It's the casual's CEDH deck.

[@NitpickingNerds]

The c in CEDH is for casual!

[@harrisonheppelmann7938]

Personally I love your power level. You’re not hiding the intent to make wack strategies as good as possible. I’d take your content over Command Zone because at least here I’m not getting hypocritical advice that’s homogenized, regurgitated Reddit posts. You guys feel top end casual without everything going combo, combo, combo. All quality

[@NitpickingNerds]

Though we do advocate some combos

[@ExKiwi-yw8er]

Spell swindle is one of those that I always really wanna play for fun synergy but always gets cut for being 5 mana. Maybe i'll try it for once, since the nerds like it. :)

[@NitpickingNerds]

Find a deck that it has synergies with.

[@allenmeza6786]

I put spell swindle in my jodah deck

[@andykeskimaki5409]

I like the power level this channel promotes. Using a scale from 1-10 where 9 & 10 is cEDH, I would say this channel promotes playing in the 7-8 power range. From my experience decks in this range are able to perform at powerful tables and can be piloted to be suitable for lower-powered tables. Keep up the great content my dudes!

[@ivanFPE]

In my opinion the reason why you are so amazing is exactly because your content is something in between edh and cedh. I am always watching you and love your content

[@NitpickingNerds]

That is what we strive for!

[@andrewrobles8814]

I would term you guys as high powered casual. Something with just a bit more bite than the Command Zone but still stalwarts of non-linear gameplay

[@NitpickingNerds]

"Stalwarts of non-linear gameplay" I love that description 😂

[@ExKiwi-yw8er]

maybe they're a bit more competitive than command zone but the nerds sure as hell feel a lot more welcoming imo

[@NitpickingNerds]

@@ExKiwi-yw8er we love all!!!

[@BigPapaJustify]

Some morph abilities for counters is nice since morph counts as a special action. Like a mana ability. Split second spells are rare, but it's good to throw out a willbender whenever someone is casting one.

[@thorpate1698]

Rewind always cast's zero, but it can net positive mana. I was playing my eligeth and siana deck and it untapped my 3 mana flipped dowsing dagger and my guildless commons to really explode and have a huge turn. I reccomend it especially if you play multiple lands that tap for more than one mana source (Bouncelands, temple of the false god, ect. :) feels so good

[@RollieB89]

I remember when cryptic command felt like a staple counterspell and now i forgot about it until now

[@NitpickingNerds]

Yeah I've tried it a few times, thankfully I proxied it before buying and wasn't impressed

[@skrazabs]

@@NitpickingNerds im into cedh and constructed modern as an aside to my opinion lol, so take with it what you will, but its tap down the team is VERY relevant imho, especially with so many craterhoof decks (at least in my local "casual" meta)

[@FRAAANKYSUUUPER]

Honestly I was shocked at where cryptic command was put. Tapping down ALL the dudes my opponents control? Bouncing their commander, countering that pesky spell and cantrip? Screams auto include to me for mono blue or decks with good fixing.

[@NotSoSerious69420]

@@FRAAANKYSUUUPER counter spell, bounce mystic sanctuary get it back repeat.

[@hiddenleaf414]

You guys are Optimized. The most practical and competitive a deck can be without actually being in the Cedh category.

[@NitpickingNerds]

That’s exactly what we strive for!

[@danielfrank380]

Great Video! Archmage’s Charm is even better than just controlling artifacts!!! So many things to nab 😋

[@NitpickingNerds]

Always takes sol ring lol

[@jameslaceby6172]

Arcane denial is one of my favorite cards. Responding to someone's Veto by countering your own spell for the card advantage, it's absolutely great.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Arcane Denial is great

[@karenwest6350]

Weird one: Dawn Charm. 1W, counters target spell that targets you, but can also regen creatures and prevent combat damage. A little iffy, but there's no reason I wouldn't put this in something like Feather (or any boros deck in a lower power level really)

[@InsanoRider777]

Dawn Charm and Lapse of Certainty should be white staples, especially if you're running Boros. They give white tricks and answers that white doesn't otherwise have, plus they're both in Sunforger range, meaning they won't necessarily need to be in your hand if someone's trying to wipe your board or make you sac an indestructible/protected creature; just remove Sunforger and BAM immediate counter.

[@deepspeed84]

I've played three games with my new Boros deck and I think Dawn Charm has saved me every time. Sunforging for DC to stop a Villainous Wealth feels pretty good.

[@AllegoryGar]

I don’t think remand gets enough love in this format. It seems unintuitive in commander but honestly, for 1B the best case scenario being you timewalk someone, and worst case is you cycle it and trip someone up is great in my mind.

[@NitpickingNerds]

It maybe better than we think. We haven’t played a lot.

[@peterMolodecki]

Been watching your videos since one was posted to /r/EDH , and I have to say the quality of the content has gotten so good. Every video I'm hooked the whole time. I actually can't believe that video was 40 minutes, felt like it passed in 10.

[@mushclone298]

Illumination and Withering Boon are two of my favorite counterspells. Sure their respective colors can deal with what they counter, but sometimes you just really really need something to not hit the battlefield (ETB triggers and instant speed combos, for example).

[@ChromeDome72]

Lol, I play both Cedh and casual, from elsha all they way down to a janky spider tribal deck. Firstly, you two are awesome, and secondly I'd say you play 3-4 decks, like not the top decks and strategies that's you'd find on the cedh database and stuff, but you're decks seem to be winning machines that are more spiked than tipical "casual"

[@quicogil4565]

Gavi Nest Warden is the deck for Nimble Obstructionist, as it costs 0 to cycle, you counter a trigger and you draw for free

[@NitpickingNerds]

I would agree that it fits perfectly in that deck.

[@supertombrother1988]

Here's an oldie but goodie for the counterspell list. Snap. Snap is just like rewind, but it only requires two converted mana cost instead of 4, and like rewind it untaps the two mana used to cast it. Now that I think about it, it's probably what rewind was designed to replace.

[@Cudcudcudcudcuscuski]

Spell swindle is rediculous in Urza. Even if you counter a 3 or 4 cmc spell, you still have a few arcane signets essentially, plus you can sac them if Urza gets removed.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Plus Urza offsets the difficulty of holding up 5 mana

[@DKMonsieur]

Foil is pretty sweet in Rielle, the Everwise. You pitch two lands for a zero mana counterspell and draw two to replace them :)

[@GabetheFrog_]

The counter spells I like to play are negate, counterspell, and fierce guardianship. Great video, I would love to see gameplay videos and would support a Kickstarter for that.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Sometime this year!!!

[@jonassilva2099]

Best non-blue counterspells: Tibalt's Trickery, Mana Titheand, "Veil of the Summer" (ok, the last one doesn't counter, but it frustrates your opponent as any counter does 99% of the time).

[@anazron805811]

I once ran rewind and unwind in a Taigam ojutai master deck, as if I had to counter removal before I attacked with Taigam, it would mean less mana to rebound with. It's just one of those niche cases where a counterspell like that can really pay off.

[@calebzuercher3772]

That interaction actually isn't great because it only works if it is your turn, after Taigam attacks, and only if someone casts a spell on your next upkeep, when they know you can rebound the counter.

[@anazron805811]

@@calebzuercher3772 Well, yes, just during my turn, but not only after Taigam attacks. The idea is that someone might try and kill Taigam before I go to attacks but after i move to attacks, in order to stop me from giving him haste. Maybe it's still not good, but that was my idea.

[@crawdaddy1234]

I realize this is very deck-specific, but Spellstutter Sprite plus Riptide Laboratory is amazing. Venser works, to, but that’s two more mana. You get the cast/EtB effects.

[@dino-wer-kuh3498]

i love spellstutter sprite

[@crawdaddy1234]

@@dino-wer-kuh3498 Fair point, however, I did say it was very deck-specific. Of note, Glen Alendra Archmage is both a faerie and a wizard (that can be bounced with Riptide Lab to reset it). I have an Alela 1v1 Commander deck. However, the Archmage is a bit too expensive for the deck - only so many slots for 4-drops (especially that require additional investment).

[@justcausee]

I really like steel sabotage and overwhelming denial. Denial is wonderful for protecting a combo line when you're going off, or to end a counter war.

[@zachw3548]

The 3-5+ counterspells that give a bonus effect to me usually feel like 2 for 1ing the opponent and I love playing them in my vial smasher//sakashima deck bc the high cmc just becomes a bunch of damage on the table. Best feeling ever! Great video also

[@FaithsFurryCritters]

I have always liked Disallow, the art with Baral and the versatility of countering an activated or triggered ability has saved my life before!

[@lukeranawake8455]

I hope you guys are able to do gameplay in the future. I’m certain it would be awesome.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Absolutely on our to-do list

[@ahoyturtle]

A few cards I'm surprised didn't get a mention: Flusterstorm- the Ur-force spike. A CEDH staple. Trickbind- Stifle's better brother. For 1 extra generic mana you get split second, and win control of the stack. Mindbreak Trap- slightly more playgroup dependent. You exile spells from the stack, and if there are 3 or more spells, it's free. When it's good, it's game winning good. When it's bad, it's still pretty good.

[@NecromancerNightmare]

Forbid is gross in the right deck. Also, cryptic is great guys, mono blue loves it since it removes anything, including lands. From t4 onwards you can tempo screw someone and counter another person, which is a sweet 2 for 1.

[@bladetb3934]

In regards to dovins veto, they can just let the veto resolve, and then cast a second counter spell on the original thing you wanted to counter. You still force them to have 2 counters, but any counter spell does that

[@nobodyfromnowwhere7510]

If Remand gets a nod, so should Narset's Reversal. It isn't a "true" counterspell, but it's a counter that can win you the game.

[@NitpickingNerds]

We love that card! It was just accidentally left out!

[@InternetHumanMan]

Theres 3 things I wish every gameplay channel had: turn counter, hand size and something to show how long the game was in real time. Here's to another good year of nitpicking !

[@NitpickingNerds]

Hey that’s good to know, thanks for your input! What channels do you watch?

[@InternetHumanMan]

@@NitpickingNerds i watch just a few: Mtg muddstah mtg the stack commander replay split second (one of my favourites) the trinisphere the 99 casually competitive mtg (my favourite) Quest for the janklord laboratory maniacs affinity for commander Playing with power mtg The command zone (not a big fan)

[@NitpickingNerds]

@@InternetHumanMan that’s like all of them lol

[@troylambert1601]

Mana tithe is one of my favorite trap cards. When it works it is hands down the best feel good in the game.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Kind of like a pet card!

[@troylambert1601]

@@NitpickingNerds I'm aware.

[@toma7077]

Holy shit I mana tithed a finale of devastation that was going to win the game and dude had completely tapped out for. Feels good man.

[@dexterstevens3122]

thoughts on muddle the mixture? I've found the transmute often comes in as a lifesaver and makes up for it only hitting instants and sorceries

[@dino-wer-kuh3498]

its cost efficient and very versatile, a great card IMO

[@NitpickingNerds]

Yeah, it's solid and can do something if you don't want to counter a spell

[@NitpickingNerds]

I mentioned it! Beezy must of not heard me

[@dino-wer-kuh3498]

@@NitpickingNerds BZ is too tall to be blamed for any shortcomings

[@NitpickingNerds]

@@dino-wer-kuh3498 Beezy is all of our short comings

[@Treanorium]

On Dovin's Veto. The problem with it is that several cards can just UNO reverse its upside. Unsubstantiate, Commit // Memory, Narset's Reversal all can get around the upside. It's a good card, a better counterspell, but it won't always solve your counter war problem

[@poofypeanut0221]

Amazing content, period. (Aside from missing the big one “Narset’s Reversal” which I see was mentioned in the comments) You guys are hitting home runs.

[@NitpickingNerds]

All we need to do is turn the home runs into grand slams and we’ll be the Denny’s of magic content!! :D

[@poofypeanut0221]

Wow, I have no words lol. What a perfect response

[@JacobBos1988]

Memory Lapse is also an great 2 mana option. Putting the card on top basicly time walks your opponent. I kinda disagree on Forbid. 3 mana is steep, but if you can buyback it, you can play the control game so hard. Its buyback is even awesome in Rielle, the Everwise. Also, Thwart is a great 4 mana counter. It's drawback is even a boon when playing Tatyova or Aesi. You need to be heavy into blue, tho.

[@erikohman2294]

Brian Weissman plays it in Nin. Its pretty much a piece of a lock once it gets going.

[@elijahferrer4403]

Here are the best counterspells that you need when it comes if you are in the budget this is just my personal choice... Budget counterspells: Mana Leak, Convolute, Devious Cover-Up, Miscast, and Whirlwind Denial, and lastly Swan Song Expensive Counterspells: Force of Will, Mana Drain, Force of Negation, Pact of Negation

[@jarrodkent716]

31:50 I know I'm late, but Azami. The bird goes hard in Azami. Surprise chump blocker in the air, synergizes with commander, and has a the bonus of replacing itself when blowing out a combo. I personally wouldn't hold it against anybody slipping this into any blue flying, bird, wizard, cycling, or even sundial of the infinite decks. Its also a way to avoid pact of negations cost by replacing itself with an ability that's not as easy to deal with.

[@drewmares145]

I think Spellburst in a Vadrik or Mizzix deck would be kind of interesting. Being able to buy it back with the colorless discount and use it over and over again might be relevant

[@davidchesterton4033]

I have always liked the counter spells that exile off the stack like mindbreak trap or summary dismissal. Mainly because some ppl try to slam spells through counters with abilities and it's fun to say no.

[@nickhughes8179]

Counterspells I will often run are Free cast- Fierce Guardianship, 1cmc- Swan Song, Annul, and Ceremonious Rejection. 2cmc- Arcane Denial, Counterspell, Mana Drain, Withering Boon, Heroic Intervention, and Izzet Charm 3cmc- Nimble Obstructionist, Dissipate, Void Shatter, Lapse of Certainty 4 and up. Mystic Confluence If I had an Azorius, Esper, or Jeskai deck, I'd run Dovin's Veto. Corner Cases. Illumination, Thwart, Foil, If I owned these cards, I'd run them- Stubborn Denial, Envelop, Rebuff the Wicked, Muddle the Mixture, Unwind, Cryptic Command, Desertion, Stifle, Trickbind, and obviously Force of Will and Force of Negation

[@underlinedanddefine1]

The X CMC counter spells are perfect for a Mizzix deck. Especially power sink and mana burst!

[@jakeapplegate6642]

Delay is my favorite counter spell. 3 turns is an eternity in EDH. The exile makes a difference in metas that use the graveyard a lot. Foil is busted in my Rielle the everwise deck along with the counterspell spellshapers.

[@speedanderson6]

One of my favorites is Whirlwind Denial. It's so versatile in that it's not limited to spells. And honestly, just hold it and time it right for that big bomb, a Planeswalker ultimate trigger, or you name it. And realistically the pay 4 is hefty for a 3 cost. I really enjoyed this list. I disagree on things like Mana Tithe and Voidslime, but it was a enjoyable listen. Cancel is definitely trash though, agreed.

[@lilymelodie7128]

Every counter spell with only one blue pip in his mana cost is very good in 3+ color deck. For this reason I think your underating negate. Even in some 2 color decks 2 blue pip counters can be akward sometimes. Plus, in every deck that really care's about protecting his commander negate his gonna be really good at it.

[@janderson9413]

Mystic Confluence is like Thassa's Intervention that you have to cast for x=3, but the tax is more and you can bounce creatures. You can also draw more than just two cards.

[@RussianPS3]

I play sublime epiphany in my izzet decks to combo it with Dualcaster Mage

[@NitpickingNerds]

Yeah that's a good reason!

[@yumyumeatemup]

When it comes to running counter magic I always fine the tried and true double blue to be a most trusty go to. Sure free counter is always welcome but I sometimes dont want to pitch cards in my hand unless I absolutely HAVE to. rather just spend the double blue! LOL

[@NitpickingNerds]

The free spells can be worse in certain metas fir sure.

[@esrohm6460]

if gain control counts as counter spell than change the target should also be counted. of cause you cant change the target of a creature spell and not all instants and sorcery's have have targets, but sometimes spells have targets when they shouldn't like time warp and thats probably the most insane target for change the target, but its basically a very restricted gain control and most of those effects are in red so its basically just the added text "with one or more targets" because its red compared to the blue version that just says gain control.

[@larryohh6974]

Hey guys, i am a follower since

[@NitpickingNerds]

Omg one of our original subscribers!!! Thanks for sticking with us all this time!

[@mariofisher6340]

i remember running delay and silence in a blue white delver/myth realized deck. that with boomerang and early frost makes for some pissed off opponents.

[@Devilish420]

I'm surprised that yall didn't mention overwhelming denial. That counterspell has came through for me a lot. That surge mechanic the spell has is a godsend on top of countering any spell and being uncounterable. I have it in my aminatou deck and I secured a win with approach of the second sun. Someone tried to play a fierce guardianship after I seen everyone was tapped out but that surge cost came in clutch 😎

[@patbates13]

I see spell swindle as more of a ramp spell. Counter anything on 5 and you end up with 11 to 12 mana on 6 (quicker if you used other ramp). Then you just go off.

[@iregehr424]

What about disrupting shoal? It's definitely my favorite free counterspell on a budget.

[@hobez64]

I got a guy that plays a Dimir Flash deck and his absolute favorite counterspell is Rewind. It's literally free for him because he almost always holds up 4 mana at the end of his turns

[@Megafluxor6943]

I play Nimble obstructionist in my Sigg Deck. Sometimes a live saver on a oracle or an hulk, but most of the time it's a flying draw engine.

[@grovestreet1520]

I think you underrated disallow, voidslime, and nimble obstructionist. You pay extra for flexibility and having a built in bonus that answers something already on board that's about to trigger can ruin an opponents win and turn the table. There are also tons of weird interactions that occur just from activated or triggered abilities and being able to jump in between the steps your opponent takes for granted can really disrupt them. Just my opinion

[@Dylfunkle]

Smashed your goal of 30k, congrats, lads.

[@michaeldavis9807]

Im surprised Trickbind wasnt mentioned for Cedh. It is one of my number one includes because of the split second.

[@CaptTelnet]

You didn’t mention my pet card. “Abjure” is 1 blue and sac a blue permanent to counter a spell. Ain’t nobody expecting abjure. Also I think you’re underestimating disallow and forbid. Disallow is meta dependent but having an expensive stifle can be really nice. And forbid is fantastic in decks with lots of draw. Especially if you’re going to only have 3 or so counter-spells in that deck. If your opponents know you have forbid they have to play around it, meaning they might hold off on big plays. Letting you advance towards your combo win.

[@justcausee]

If you're able to make tokens/dorks Abjures amazing, but the price might be too steep if you're only likely blue permanents are your commander and combo pieces.

[@CaptTelnet]

just cause Sure, but if you consistently have like 3-4 blue permanents it’s an unconditional counterspell for 1 mana. Having that in a mono blue or 2 color or (some) 3 color decks with blue isn’t difficult.

[@justcausee]

@@CaptTelnet If your strat can afford it I agree it's better even than some of the staples, but I don't think it's got a place in my aggressive Circu doomsday scepter for example. Many decks at cedh or approaching cedh levels don't usually have permanents just lying to throw away. All that being said I do run it in Baral and have fond memories of countering a notion thief by sacrificing a remora.

[@CaptTelnet]

just cause Yeah you can’t just toss it in, but it has a place in my Cedh Azami list so I don’t think it’s off the table past a certain power level or anything.

[@xyzn1]

Around 28:07, Beezy mentioned that he had a 1-Drop themed deck. I've been tinkering with a similar mindset for Ramos and 1-Drop hybrid mana cost cards from Shadowmoor block. Who was your deck's commander and do you happen to have a deck list for it? I'd like to compare and contrast tech options if at all possible.

[@BatCaveOz]

If an opponent cast a Sol Ring on their first turn, couldn't they just use the mana to counter stubborn denial?

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

No, because the Sol Ring hasn't entered the battlefield yet.

[@sora09838]

One of my favorite counter spells (that was not mentioned on this video) is counter flux. I am surprised you did not mention it since it is a three mana counter spell that can't be countered and it has kicker which if you pay it, you counter everything on the stack

[@BIGFRANKOL75]

What do you think of Perplex? Counter unless they ditch their hand and has Transmute (1UB) Is it only good in a Waste Knot deck or no?

[@Auron3991]

I'd argue Dawn Charm is an acceptable white counter. Admittedly, not because it's a counter, but because it will almost always stop a blowout shot. I do say though, you threw some mighty shade at some of my favorite counters. Thassa's Intervention isn't draw 2, it's a choice between Dig Through Time and what is basically a hard counter, so it's useful if you're digging for combo pieces. Disallow doesn't counter a spell, it stops the game from ending that turn. Hinder either gives you a turn to make a manageable spell work best for you while slowing down an opponent or makes a major problem disappear without allowing recursion. Cryptic consistently saves my skin for at least a turn. And lumping all X counters together when Power Sink exists is an absolute crime.

[@the_names_rob]

Two questions: If you are running 5 counterspells in a deck how much targeted removal would you run (ie go for the throat, swords to plowshares, beast within)? Second what do you guys think about Muddle the Mixture?

[@the_names_rob]

Also what about withering boon?

[@sharkmanyt4431]

Hello, cEDH player here! a few corrections: mana drain is most definitely way better than spell pierce. (i don't like spell pierce either) there are actually many non-blue cedh decks, (red and pyroblast are still amazing tho) tales end is a card i've never seen in a game of cedh mana tithe is still (cedh) playable in heliod or teshar Agreements: most things that were said thassa's intervention sucks i dont like spell pierce and mana leak any X counterspell is total crap (Exception logic knot) heroes downfall really does suck I ALSO THINK GRAVE TITAN SUCKS. IT IS REALLY FREAKING BAD.

[@HalcyonVentures]

On the topic of Warping Wail, how many colorless mana lands would you suggest running in your deck to be able to reliably be able to cast it? I tend to shy away from these types of cards as you specifically need the wingding-producing land to be able to cast it, it's the not the same as a generic mana.

[@bernardberkner3399]

Time stop dosent get enough love, I know keeping 6 mana open to counter a spell is a lot, but then again it is such fun to see the person combo on the stack and you go : yea let's empty that stack you've played enough, (I think at this point I might be mostly playing it for the memes of it I should probably take it out of my deck)

[@RazgrizAce67]

You guys hit exactly the spot I play in too which is exactly how Beezy described it: take a silly idea that is not competitive and then make it the best version of that possible. Most fun there is! Let cEDH and super casual folks complain how they wsnt.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Much love!!!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Thanks for the support glad we share philosophies!

[@wemf2]

What do you guys think of spells like Jwari's Disruption, Neutralize and Censor? Their counter abilities would put them under your trap cards section, but they can also be cycled away or be used as a land, so would their flexibility redeem them?

[@silasmyers3192]

I didn't hear flusterstorm, and I think that's a really good spell in my opinion, what do yall think?

[@benjaminwileman4771]

How would you rate "saw it coming" from kaldhiem? Obviously came out after this video

[@marecar900]

I disagree with Forbid being a bad counter spell. In reanimator deck it's a great utility card and if you have a way to draw two or more cards per everyones turn that's just a super big value control spell 😜

[@sahrazad8213]

Lapse of Certainty and Oblation are two of my favourite white cards

[@milohobo9186]

I'm running a few creature counter magic cards under Chulane so I can counter and get the card draw and possible extra land drop.

[@Father_Gaben4223]

Nimble Obstructionist is for Gavi, Nest Warden

[@NitpickingNerds]

The value... it's too strong

[@zchwen]

Rewind is a good card in something like Jhoira of the ghitu, you can hold the 4 mana, coutner something, then you can still suspend 2 things. Nothing changed more than value counterspell.

[@Kestral287]

Withering Boon is pretty high on my list. It's an Essence Scatter that also costs life... but in black. It gets to do the Lapse of Certainty/Warping Wail style 'surprise, I have interaction' style thing in another color. Obviously I'm not touching it in any list that also has blue, but I've seen it get a lot of good value in mono-black and black-green lists. Being able to deal with that big hexproof Narset or other annoying thing with a strong etb trigger or inbuilt protection is really strong.

[@NitpickingNerds]

Only hitting creatures is a tough place to be in edh

[@Kestral287]

Eh. I think that depends a lot on your local decks. Even most non-creature oriented decks jam a couple creatures that are very impactful, especially commanders; I initially played it explicitly to deal with 1 creature Narset decks when my meta was flooded with them. It just also performed great against nonsense like Animar and Karador, which hadn't been my expectation at the time. There are definitely playgroups where I'd lean away; I don't have a non-blue black deck so I'm not playing it at the moment anyway, but one of the decks I play against most frequently is a Jodah big spell deck that's jamming very few creatures and that's not a deck Boon is good against. And next to that is a Blim stax deck where there aren't many creatures that matter outside Blim himself. So yeah, in that kind of pod it looks bad. But conversely, there are also local pods where I play against stuff like Golos and Animar and Oracle decks and all the traditional black removal in the world looks bad against those cards, and then it loops right back around to being amazing. And of course I can't emphasize enough: it's not a blue card. I'd prefer if Boon was a straight counterspell sure but a bad Essence Scatter is way better than every other black counterspell. If I have the chance yeah I'm always jamming a blue counterspell instead, but the fact that it's a mono-black out to Thassa's Oracle should already have it on peoples' radar.

[@crashbot01]

Great advice my counter game is bad more been a GB player so knowing how to pick counter spells for decks has been a problem.

[@bluepomegranate]

Spell Burst is actually pretty nasty in my Galazeth Prismari deck, especially with unwinding clock. Wouldn't play it anywhere else though.

[@chrisblack7583]

What about trick bind? Split second is a good mechanic.