Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost less to cast.
Whenever a spell or ability you control counters a spell, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card.
Baral is a mono-blue spellslinger/control engine: he discounts every instant and sorcery, letting you chain cantrips, counters, and bounce while protecting your board. Early turns you slow opponents with counters and card advantage, then close with a value-loaded big-mana payoff or a storm-style turn. The counter-to-loot trigger smooths your draws and fuels graveyard or discard synergies.
Massive cost reduction makes counterspells and tempo plays effectively free, enabling explosive turns.
Card advantage and selection through loot triggers and cheap cantrips.
Mono-blue consistency: easy mana base, strong tutors, and counter-heavy interaction.
Cheap commander that snowballs into a value engine quickly.
Fragile 1/3 that dies to nearly any removal, and the deck leans on him for discount.
Mono-blue means little to no creature removal or enchantment/artifact answers outside bounce.
Reactive playstyle can fall behind fast aggro or wide token boards.
Can be the table's archenemy as the 'counterspell deck,' drawing early hate.
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
less to cast.