Mana Drain

Instant

Legal Salt 1.89CounterspellRank #115

Counter target spell. At the beginning of your next main phase, add an amount of {C} equal to that spell's mana value.

Why is this card good?

Mana Drain is one of the best counterspells ever printed, and Commander's higher mana values make it absurd. Countering a 6-drop and turning it into six colorless mana the following turn is a massive tempo and resource swing — you neutralize a threat and often deploy your own ahead of schedule. It belongs in any blue deck that can afford it: cEDH stax/control shells, combo decks needing interaction with upside, and even casual blue value decks. The ramp is especially great for accelerating into your own big payoff — counter their bomb, then ramp into yours. Note the mana fizzles if you don't spend it during that main phase (no mana burn, just wasted), so it's strongest when you have something to pour it into. The only real downside is the price tag; it's expensive in dollars. If budget isn't a concern and you're playing meaningful counters, run it over almost any hard counter. Skip it only in mono-blue-light decks that struggle with double-blue.