Ertai's Trickery is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Counter target spell if it was kicked.
Complete guide
Ertai's Trickery is a niche but highly efficient counterspell that punishes players for overextending their mana. For just one blue mana, it can shut down a game-altering Kicker effect, making it a specialized tool for specific metagames. Understanding when a spell is considered 'kicked' is the key to mastering this card.
What It Does
Ertai's Trickery targets any spell on the stack. However, it only successfully counters that spell if its controller paid at least one of its optional kicker costs as it was being cast. If the spell was cast without its kicker cost, Ertai's Trickery will resolve but fail to counter the spell, leaving the spell on the stack to resolve normally.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you choose any target spell currently on the stack and pay one blue mana to cast Ertai's Trickery. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target spell had a kicker cost paid. If the spell was kicked, it is moved from the stack to its owner's graveyard and its effects do not happen. If the spell was not kicked, Ertai's Trickery simply finishes resolving and is placed in your graveyard without affecting the target spell.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that Ertai's Trickery can only target spells that were kicked. In reality, you can target any spell, even a standard creature or sorcery. This might be relevant for triggers that care about you casting an instant, but remember that the spell will not be countered unless that specific kicker condition is met. Additionally, it only cares if the spell was 'kicked', not if other additional costs like 'multikicker' or 'strive' were paid.
When to Play It
This card is most effective in formats where high-impact kicker spells are prevalent. Because it only costs one mana, it allows you to develop your board while keeping a safety net against powerful late-game plays. It serves as a more restrictive version of traditional countermagic that excels in mana efficiency.
Interaction examples
CounterspellWhile Counterspell can stop any spell for two mana, Ertai's Trickery only costs one mana. If your opponent casts a spell with a kicker cost, Ertai's Trickery provides the same result as Counterspell for half the price, allowing you to save your mana for other responses.
An Offer You Can't RefuseIf an opponent casts a noncreature spell that was not kicked, you might consider using An Offer You Can't Refuse to ensure it is countered, even though it gives them Treasures. If you try to use Ertai's Trickery on that same non-kicked spell, the spell will not be countered, and your opponent will still get their spell's effect.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Ertai's Trickery
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can target any spell, but that spell will be countered only if it was kicked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Ertai's Trickery
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.