15. Desertion

What’s so good about Desertion?

• While it costs 5 mana, which seems like a lot, it gives you control of the spell (if it’s a creature or artifact), instead of putting it in the graveyard!
• Artifacts and Creature spells are very common card types, so this card has a lot of utility.

14. Forbid

What’s so good about Forbid?

• Counters a spell for 3 mana.
• If you discard two cards when you play it, this card goes back into your hand instead of the graveyard

13. Dismiss

What’s so good about Dismiss?

• For 4 mana, lets you counter a target spell.
• When you counter the spell, you draw a card, making it easier to get your cards out sooner.

12. Memory Lapse

What’s so good about Memory Lapse?

• Super cheap to cast, at only 2 mana!
• Put the countered spell on the top of your opponent’s deck, so it wastes a draw for them!

11. Mystic Confluence

What’s so good about Mystic Confluence?

• Choose from three options when you cast
• You can choose the same option up to three times
• Versatile!

10. Counterspell

What’s so good about Counterspell?

• Cheap to cast
• Simply counters a spell. No drawbacks (aside from the negligible cost)

9. Negate

What’s so good about Negate?

• Extremely cheap!
• Counters a non-creature spell, simple as that. 
• Can be thrown out basically at any time.

8. Remand

What’s so good about Remand?

• Extremely cheap!
• Allows you to draw a card when you play it
• Sends the target card back to the owner’s hand, keeping their graveyard empty!

7. Daze

What’s so good about Daze?

• You can return an island to your hand instead of paying the cost (which is cheap anyway)
• Will counter a spell unless the owner pays 1 mana (taking away from their ability to cast other spells, or play other cards.

6. Force of Negation

What’s so good about Force of Negation?

• Allows you to exile a blue card rather than paying the cost!
• Exiles the targeted spell, instead of putting it into the graveyard
• Fairly cheap to cast

5. Spell Pierce

What’s so good about Spell Pierce?

• Counters the target spell unless the owner pays 2 mana
• Only costs 1 blue to cast!

4. Muddle the Mixture

What’s so good about Muddle the Mixture?

• Cheap to cast
• Can transmute, allowing you to search your library for another card with the same cost

3. Cryptic Command

What’s so good about Cryptic Command?

• Has many applications, from which you can choose two
• Can tap every creature your opponent has, protecting you for a turn

2. Force of Will

What’s so good about Force of Will?

• Can pay 1 life instead of the mana cost!
• This makes it fairly cheap to cast if you aren’t low on life.

1. Mana Drain

What’s so good about Mana Drain?

• Cheap to cast!
• Not only does it counter a spell, but it also gives you extra mana
• This allows you to get your powerful cards out sooner!
• Multiple applications!

Also Be Sure To Read:

• [Top 10] MTG Best Standard Decks
• [Top 15] MTG Most Expensive Red Cards
• [Top 15] MTG Most Expensive Blue Cards
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• [Top 15] MTG Most Expensive Green Cards
• [Top 15] MTG Most Expensive Black Cards
• [Top 15] MtG Best Equipment Cards
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• [Top 15] MtG Best Counterspells
• [Top 15] MtG best Planeswalkers
• [Top 15] MtG Best Commanders