Price$1.54 – $16.88
Buy on TCGplayerArcane Denial
Instant
LegalCard DrawCounterspellEDHREC #56
Counter target spell. Its controller may draw up to two cards at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
You draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
Why is this card good?
Arcane Denial is one of the most-played counterspells in Commander, and for good reason: it's a clean two-mana hard counter that replaces itself. In a format where you're trading 1-for-1 with three opponents, card advantage matters, and drawing a card the next turn keeps your hand stocked while you slow down a threat.
The "drawback" — giving the opponent two cards — is mostly irrelevant in multiplayer. You typically counter a big spell that already cost them resources, and the cards they draw rarely matter as much as denying that key play (a tutored combo piece, a game-ending Craterhoof, etc.). The political upside is real too: opponents are less annoyed when you let them dig.
Play it in basically any blue deck that wants interaction without splashy efficiency — control, combo, midrange, anything.
When to skip it: cutthroat cEDH tables where handing a combo opponent two fresh cards can lose you the game. There, Swan Song or Dispel are safer picks.
Related cards
Counterspell
Classic two-mana hard counter for any spell.
Negate
Cheap counter targeting noncreature spells.
Swan Song
One-mana counter with minor drawback, similar tempo.
Dovin's Veto
Uncounterable counterspell for noncreature spells.
Mana Drain
Premium counter that ramps you instead of drawing.
Disallow
Flexible counter that also stops abilities.
Miscalculation
Two-mana counter with cycling flexibility.
An Offer You Can't Refuse
One-mana counter giving opponent treasure, cantrip-like value.
Printings (22)
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