Mental Misstep
The Zeta Set 22 • uncommon
- Set
- The Zeta Set
- Collector number
- 22
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Mana cost
- U/P symbol
- Type
- Instant
- Colors
- Blue
- Artist
- MSCHF
What it does
(U/P symbol can be paid with either blue mana or 2 life.)
Counter target spell with mana value 1.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernBanned
- LegacyBanned
- VintageRestricted
- CommanderLegal
- PauperNot legal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Mental Misstep was released in 2011 as part of the New Phyrexia expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Designed as a blue instant with the Phyrexian mana mechanic, it allows players to counter a spell with a mana value of one by paying two life rather than traditional mana. This design was intended to provide a universal answer to aggressive early-game strategies, but its flexibility allowed it to permeate nearly every format, including those where it was not initially intended to excel.
The card's striking artwork was created by illustrator Igor Kieryluk, who depicted the mental struggle of a caster interrupted in the flow of their own thought process. Upon release, the card faced intense scrutiny for its impact on competitive balance, ultimately leading to restrictions or outright bans in multiple formats, such as Legacy and Modern. Despite its controversial history, it remains a centerpiece of high-level play and a significant example of how a single card can reshape the tactical landscape of a game.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
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About Mental Misstep
Mental Misstep is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. The Zeta Set 22 • uncommon. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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