Counterbalance

Counterbalance was originally printed in the Coldsnap expansion in 2006, designed to manipulate the top of the deck to counter spells of a matching converted mana cost. The Amonkhet Invocations version was released in 2017 as part of a series of Masterpiece Series cards. These premium, highly stylized cards were included in Amonkhet booster packs to provide players with visually striking, rare versions of iconic cards from throughout the game's history, often featuring unique card borders and elaborate foil treatments.

Artist Joseph Meehan provided the artwork for this specific iteration, leaning into the Egyptian-inspired aesthetic that defined the Amonkhet set. The design features bold, hieroglyphic-influenced framing and an ornate, metallic aesthetic intended to make the card feel like a precious artifact unearthed from a desert tomb. Upon release, the Invocations series received a polarized reception from the player base, as some found the complex typography difficult to read, while others lauded the ambitious, thematic departure from standard card frame designs.