Mana Drain — Magic: The Gathering card

Mana Drain

{U}{U}
Instant

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

Set Legends
Rarity Uncommon
Artist Mark Tedin

Why Play Mana Drain

The premier tempo counterspell in Magic offers an incredible swing by both denying your opponent's play and ramping you into larger threats on your next turn. Blue control and tempo decks prize this card for its ability to counter a four-mana threat and immediately deploy your own four-mana answer or threat the following turn. Playing it optimally requires careful timing—you want to counter spells with high mana values when you can immediately capitalize on the colorless mana boost.

Format Notes

Vintage represents the primary competitive home for Mana Drain, where it remains a four-of staple in control shells and combo-control hybrids. Commander players also embrace it as one of the format's most powerful counterspells, though its high price point limits accessibility. The card's ban in Legacy stems from creating overpowered tempo swings that warp the format around expensive threats that become trivial to deploy after a successful drain.

Combos & Synergies

Artifact-based strategies particularly benefit from the colorless mana generation, making Tinker a natural follow-up play after draining expensive spells. Planeswalkers like Jace, the Mind Sculptor become much more appealing when you can counter a four-drop and immediately untap with six mana available. The card pairs excellently with expensive win conditions and X-spells that can immediately utilize whatever mana you've drained from your opponent's key plays.

Learn More

Instant Counterspell Commander Vintage