Best Counterspell?

[Xaol]

What is everyone's opinion on this? Which Counterspell is best? I'm wondering because I just got a {Mana Drain} in trade today, and if you ask me that is the best Counterspell.

[Double-O-Scotch]

{force of will} trumps all.

Example: player 1 playing first (probably vintage)

Player 1: "I will play my whole hand and win!"
Player 2: "ummmm no, {force of will}"

The ability to stop something your opponent is trying to do before you have even played a land is just too good.

[Imdowd80]

Why is mana drain more expensive?  I know some of it is rarity and age. But doesn't the playability of a card come into factor? 

[Umbra]

Why is mana drain more expensive?  I know some of it is rarity and age. But doesn't the playability of a card come into factor?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Portal 3 kingdoms and some of alphas stuff is pretty useless but it can be worth hundreds. Usually I've seen cards if they're playable reach about $100 like  {Jace, the Mind Sculptor}

[Xaol]

Why is mana drain more expensive?  I know some of it is rarity and age. But doesn't the playability of a card come into factor?

I wondered this as well, then I thought about it. It doesn't just counter the spell at 2 blue (like good reliable {Counterspell}) but it accelerates blue decks an insane amount, and blue's weakness is always a lack of mana. That's why people appreciate FOW.

[Falcon182]

Why is mana drain more expensive?  I know some of it is rarity and age. But doesn't the playability of a card come into factor?

I wondered this as well, then I thought about it. It doesn't just counter the spell at 2 blue (like good reliable {Counterspell}) but it accelerates blue decks an insane amount, and blue's weakness is always a lack of mana. That's why people appreciate FOW.

Sorta. The odds you'll be able to use that mana are relatively low but it being there could potentially help. I think being restricted to Vintage makes it pretty useless for all but the most hardcore players. That being said... I wouldn't mind having one. Haha

[Dudecore]

{Force of Will} is best. {Mana Drain} is strictly better then {Counterspell}, but it too is overstated. If {Mana Drain} was unbanned in Legacy tomorrow, I see few decks even playing it. What you yield off {Mana Drain} is rarely any good (I own 2 myself).

It's also uncommon, so it was never included on the Reserve list. (Same as {Force of Will}). {Mana Drain} used to suck when mana burn was in the rules. Now It's one of the cool cards you dream about playing with - it is also among my favorites. It just reads more scary then it plays.

[Bozo_Law]

{force of will} trumps all.

Example: player 1 playing first (probably vintage)

Player 1: "I will play my whole hand and win!"
Player 2: "ummmm no, {force of will}"

The ability to stop something your opponent is trying to do before you have even played a land is just too good.

Vintage games do not last that short. Vintage is misconstrued as an extremely degenerate format but in all
reality it is extremely elegant and lasts until around turn 8 most of the time, slower than standard and has
entire podcasts dedicated to single turns because of it's skill intensity.

I think Force of Will is the best but in formats with Force of Will, Mental Misstep is the best.

[rarehuntertay]

I've always like  {Power Sink}

[KILLERBEE]

 {Last Word}

[KILLERBEE]

You can't  {Force of Will} a  {Last Word}

[Dudecore]

You can't  {Force of Will} a  {Last Word}

But you can expect them to tap for 4 mana.

If mana were no object - I'd love {Counterlash} or {Desertion}.

[KILLERBEE]

You can't  {Force of Will} a  {Last Word}

But you can expect them to tap for 4 mana.

If mana were no object - I'd love {Counterlash} or {Desertion}.

depending on what you play from the {Counterlash}, it pretty much pays for itself especially if you can put out an {Omniscience} or something of that magnitude

[Xaol]

You can't  {Force of Will} a  {Last Word}

But you can expect them to tap for 4 mana.

If mana were no object - I'd love {Counterlash} or {Desertion}.

I LOVE desertion. Best Counterspell in my Riku EDH by far! Oh, you'll cast Emrakul? Awesome. Thanks.

[Dudecore]

You can't  {Force of Will} a  {Last Word}

But you can expect them to tap for 4 mana.

If mana were no object - I'd love {Counterlash} or {Desertion}.

I LOVE desertion. Best Counterspell in my Riku EDH by far! Oh, you'll cast Emrakul? Awesome. Thanks.

Got my {Desertion} in my Esper EDH deck. It always steals something different.