Counterspell deck help
Modern Deck Help forum
Posted on March 29, 2018, 7:29 p.m. by Alekay
Hi! I'm new to this community, so it's nice to meet whoever responds to this! I'm currently creating a counter spell deck, but I don't know which counter spells to use, and what quantity? I'm not on a strict budget, so I can just get the cards you recommend in the case that they're expensive. Thanks!
SeekerofSecrets says... #3
The most popular counter spells in modern are:
And some of my personal favorites are (these are not as competitive]:
What you run in what combinations really depend on the shell and mana base your running, if you decide to play like a delver/tempo deck i can help you out some.
March 29, 2018 7:47 p.m.
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #4
What colors are you playing? How do you want to win? What else does the deck do besides countering? These are important questions to have in mind when picking counters. The only counters I'd add to the list above are Dispel and Ceremonious Rejection, but these are just sideboard options.
March 29, 2018 8:04 p.m.
Thanks so much! I'll definitely consider these. Cryptic command looks promising! Also, sorry, I'm rather new, haha. What do you mean by the shell, when you say it depends on the 'shell' I'm running?
March 29, 2018 8:06 p.m.
@ToolmasterofBrainerd
So far, I've only been using blue counterspells, but I'm open to use other colors!
March 29, 2018 8:07 p.m.
Continuation:
I plan to swing at the opponent's life while using counterspells in the case that they attempt to use an instant removal, or such.
March 29, 2018 8:08 p.m.
SeekerofSecrets says... #8
So just as a super super basic/general explination tempo decks aim to hit an early threat on turn 1-2 (Delver of Secrets
Flip as an example) and then use counter spells and other types of disruption to protect it until it eventually wins the game
Control decks on the other hand use counters and disruption to stall the game out and use up all of the opponents resources until they land a late game bomb like Torrential Gearhulk to end the game
Each archtype will have different amounts of counters and different. Colors
For tempo the two strongest are probably grixis shadow, U merfolk and possibly grixis delver?
While with control you have UW control and jeskai control
On the more casual side you can just about find any deck in between, i personally like to tinker with delver brews
March 29, 2018 8:40 p.m.
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #9
Shell refers to the rest of the deck. Tempo, Draw-go, etc.
An example of a tempo shell that plays counterspells in modern is 'Delver'. The namesake card is Delver of Secrets
Flip, and it aims to play Delver turn 1, and possibly another threat on turn 2 or 3, then use counterspells and other spells like Lightning Bolt to stop the opponent from doing anything meaningful. In such a deck, counterspells like Spell Snare and Mana Leak are very good because they don't cost very much mana. If you counter their Tarmogoyf with a Spell Snare and then pick off their Liliana of the Veil the next turn with Mana Leak, then you're in a good spot to win. However Delver decks don't run Cryptic Command because it costs too much mana. It can't be cast until turn 4, which is problem if you need to be countering things on turns 2 and 3. Other popular cards in delver are Young Pyromancer, if playing UR Delver, and Tasigur, the Golden Fang, if playing Grixis Delver.
A draw-go shell is Jeskai Control. It combines the power of counterspells with the flexibility of burn spells like Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix, and Electrolyze. The burn spells can be used to kill small creatures out of an aggro deck, or they can be used to burn the opponent directly against a big deck like Tron. They try to win with burn spells or powerful cards like Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Celestial Colonnade. Other cards they play include Path to Exile, Supreme Verdict, and sometimes Spell Queller.
Every competitive counterspell-based deck plays Snapcaster Mage and Serum Visions. I don't know of any exceptions. Usually 4x of each, and always 4x Snap if you're playing Lightning Bolt.
Also I can't believe I forgot about Negate. It sees a good amount of play as a 1-of in UWx decks.
March 29, 2018 8:41 p.m.
Thanks!
I guess making a counterspell-pure deck isn't going to do much but be annoying, haha. I'll tweak my deck a bit!
Thanks a lot!
March 29, 2018 8:56 p.m.
In the case that you DO see the deck I created, I have yet to edit that after seeing you guys' tips, as I created that way before I got any pointers on how to build a counterspell deck.
March 29, 2018 10:09 p.m.
SeekerofSecrets says... #16
Hey no worries! When you do post it you can you post a link here by putting the name between double [] brackets like this "[ [ deck name] ]" (i use the name found in the url, this will help if there are reapeted deck names) just dont leave spaces between the brackets this also works for usernames
March 29, 2018 10:24 p.m.
ArchonBlue says... #17
The best counterspell-based decks in Modern are U/W Control and Jeskai Control, which can be found [here].(https://www.mtggoldfish.com/metagame/modern/full#paper) You'll notice they all run pretty similar counterspell bases, with Snapcaster Mage to flash back spells mid to late game. Cryptic Command is probably the best counterspell in Modern, but it has a high converted mana cost so most decks run a combination of Negate, Mana Leak, Spell Snare, and sometimes Remand to deal with early game stuff. Logic Knot is also fantastic mid to late game but most decks only run one or two to avoid exiling spells you could snap back later with Snapcaster Mage. You can also run Dispel and Disdainful Stroke in your sideboard to deal with certain decks like Burn or Scapeshift, respectively. It's important to note that a solely counterspell based deck is going to be terrible. You need ways to remove creatures and other permanents that have already resolved, which is why Control decks splash white and/or red for cards like Path to Exile, Supreme Verdict, Lightning Helix, Detention Sphere, and Lightning Bolt.
March 29, 2018 10:52 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #19
I do quite well with this: Mono Blue Control - Annihilation -
It's fairly cheap so it's a good starting place that can be upgraded into Tempo, American, or Azorous Control over time.
March 30, 2018 10:11 a.m.
You need to go the other way around this - first figure out how you want to win. Then figure out what role counterspells play in that strategy.
One of the relatively budget-friendly decks with much countering, is faeries. 4 Spellstutter Sprites and a number of Familiar's Ruse is a good place to start. Splash white, if you feel like it, for Ojutai's Command. Add Mana Leak and Remand to taste.
March 31, 2018 7:57 a.m.
First off, welcome to TappedOut!
Another powerful option for a counterspell heavy deck is Thing in the Ice
Flip. For two mana, you receive an early blocker, who transforms is fairly easy to transform into a powerhouse that also clears your enemys board. A deck with Thing in the Ice and Delver of Secrets
Flip puts early pressure on an opponent, with a strong finisher.
Spell Queller is a decent option, providing a creature with evasion in addition to disrupting enemy plays. It is easily removed, so they might get their spells back, but that one turn of delay is often all it takes.
Another option to consider for control is Thoughtseize. I would argue this is better than a counterspell, as it lets you destroy a threat before it even manifests while also letting you peak at an enemy hand. All for the low cost of and a measly 2 life.
Alekay says... #2
I'm currently running:3x Cancel 1x Admiral's Order 1x Exclude2x Essence Scatter3x Negate
March 29, 2018 7:33 p.m.