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Essence Backlash

RedBlue

1 printing listed in our catalog, from newest to oldest.

Essence Backlash, Return to Ravnica printing
Return to Ravnica RTR · No. 160 2012-10-05

Card text

{2}{U}{R}
Instant
Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.
"The other guilds will learn the hard way not to interfere with our investigations." —Bori Andon, Izzet blastseeker
EDHREC rank #18800 Common Not on the Reserved List
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Standard ∅ Not legal
Pioneer ✓ Legal
Modern ✓ Legal
Legacy ✓ Legal
Vintage ✓ Legal
Pauper ✓ Legal
Commander ✓ Legal
Oathbreaker ✓ Legal
Brawl ∅ Not legal
Historic ∅ Not legal
Timeless ∅ Not legal
Alchemy ∅ Not legal
Explorer ∅ Not legal
Gladiator ∅ Not legal
Penny ✓ Legal
Duel ✓ Legal

Official rulings

3 rulings · in English, source Scryfall

Abilities that change the power of a creature (such as the one of Collective Blessing) affect only creatures on the battlefield. They won’t change a creature spell’s power on the stack.

2012-10-01 · Wizards of the Coast

Essence Backlash can target a creature spell that can’t be countered. If Essence Backlash resolves, it won’t counter the spell but it will still deal damage.

2012-10-01 · Wizards of the Coast

If the creature’s power is * and it has an ability defining its power, use that ability to determine its power.

2012-10-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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