Counterspell, also known as Deploy Derp.
I include one copy in any blue deck I run in Legacy, 'cause nobody expects it and it's hilarious. Sometimes it's a dead spell in my hand, sure, but I can't tell you how many times it blew people's minds -- they're so used to seeing janky alternative casting cost counterspells, a good ol' boy DERP takes them by complete surprise.
"I crack my Lotus Petals, and cast Ad Nauseam..." DERP!
"I Delve these cards from my graveyard to cast Tombstalker..." DERP!
"I activate Shelldock Isle to cast Emrakul..." DERP! "...uh, Emrakul's uncounterable." HERP DERP!
(If you're gonna lose to 15/15 annihilation, you might as well do so in style. And yes, saying DERP! is mandatory.)
Posted By:
Salient
(1/20/2012 6:55:07 PM)
Let me just demolish all of the arguments for this being unbalanced, "too good", "not fun", or any other way of saying that this classic isn't worthy of being reprinted in every core set henceforth.
My friend is fond of the "it's not fun" argument. Well, me having my Sword of the Paruns disenchanted at a critical combat moment isn't "fun" for me, but it sure is fun for you given that you've been staring at that disenchant for the last 3 turns and have finally goaded me into making it matter. There is obviously a win-some lose-some element to the game of magic, where, just like chess, losing isn't very fun. Now, unless your opponent is REALLY wiping the floor with you, you can usually forget about momentary setbacks, or disruptions in tempo, or card disadvantage, and still have fun by putting up a good fight.
So the relevant question is, is counterspell one of those cards that either
A. Wipes the floor with you so hard and fast that it p... (see all)
Posted By:
Fictionarious
(7/11/2012 2:37:24 AM)
Should be reprinted for standard.
also
kills doom blade
Posted By:
forgetremembering
(6/26/2013 4:32:04 PM)
Why is this card in the Modern format filter? It isn't Modern legal, and I'm sick of seeing people on ***atriace and MWS playing with it because they're dumb.
Posted By:
Jman22
(8/17/2011 6:08:14 AM)
Sadly, this card is amazing but sees almost no play anywhere.
Standard: Not legal.
Modern: Not legal.
Legacy: Outdone by Force of Will, Stifle and Daze. Sees maybe play as a 1 or 2 of in obscure decks.
Vintage: Not a chance.
EDH: You'd rather be casting bigger things like Cryptic Command or Counterlash .
Casual: Counters rarely see play in casual. Usually considered too mean.
Posted By:
Lifegainwithbite
(6/6/2013 7:22:03 PM)
I know it seems strange, but I think that Scent of Brine is actually better.
You're probably running mono-blue anyway, so 4 of these and 4 of those, with a few cancels thrown in and you will win the game.
Posted By:
land_comment
(3/26/2011 3:25:24 PM)
*** classic, everytime someone plays cancel I laugh at them, I tell them cancel only exists so that you can have moar counterspells in your deck, your not supposed to put them in unless you already have 4 of these.
Posted By:
supershawn
(3/5/2011 11:13:51 PM)
I really like counterspell. It's well worth it's value, and quite good in any non-standard deck (for obvious reasons)
I still don't think it can counter Storm Crow
Posted By:
Ferlord
(8/17/2011 7:58:51 PM)
Needs reprinted into Standard. Control isn't doing that well with the exception of UB, and even that is losing favor now that people are SBing workarounds for it.
Posted By:
Scormio
(3/14/2012 10:53:46 PM)
Salient:
My god. you're right. we shall call this guy DERP for now and forever!
ALL HAIL DERP, the lord of DERPY!
Posted By:
Pigfish99
(5/13/2012 10:00:24 PM)