Essence Backlash

set	min	mtgo
-	0.53	0.03 tix

Spoilers Random card

Name	Essence Backlash
Type	Instant
Description	Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.
Flavor	"The other guilds will learn the hard way not to interfere with our investigations." —Bori Andon, Izzet blastseeker
Artist	Jung Park
Set	Return to Ravnica #160
Wallpaper	download
Image	download

Tierlist

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Meta types

Counterspell

Legality between formats

Table of contents

About Essence Backlash

Essence Backlash, Instant, designed by Jung Park first released in Oct, 2012 in the set Return to Ravnica. It see play in 1 formats: Commander. It's currently being selled by the minimum price of 0.53.

This card, Essence Backlash, would be a great addition to a control deck in Magic: The Gathering that focuses on disrupting the opponent's creatures while also dealing damage to their controller. It can be particularly effective against high-power creature spells, punishing the opponent for trying to play big threats. While Essence Backlash is a strong card for its cost, there are other similar options like Counterspell or Mana Drain that offer more versatility and power in countering spells, making them potentially better choices for competitive play. However, Essence Backlash could still see play in specific metagames or as a budget alternative for players looking to punish creature-heavy strategies.

Rules

10/01/12

Abilities that change the power of a creature (such as the one of Collective Blessing) affect only creatures on the battlefield. They won’t change a creature spell’s power on the stack.

10/01/12

Essence Backlash can target a creature spell that can’t be countered. If Essence Backlash resolves, it won’t counter the spell but it will still deal damage.

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