Perplex 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 unless its controller discards their hand. Transmute(
Complete guide
Perplex is a versatile Dimir instant that presents your opponent with a difficult ultimatum or serves as a precise tutor for your key pieces. Whether you use it to force a massive discard or to find the perfect three-mana answer, it provides excellent utility for control decks.
The Perplexing Dilemma
When you cast Perplex, you target a spell on the stack. The controller of that spell faces a choice: they can either let their spell be countered or discard their entire hand. This is particularly effective against players holding back resources, as it forces them to weigh the value of their current spell against every other card they have.
How Resolution Works
As Perplex resolves, the targeted player chooses whether to discard their hand. If they choose to discard, even if they have zero cards in hand, they have technically fulfilled the requirement to prevent the counter effect. If they do not discard their hand (or cannot because the spell has already become an illegal target), the spell is countered and moved to the graveyard.
The Power of Transmute
If you don't need a counterspell, you can pay its Transmute cost of {1}{U}{B} and discard it from your hand. This allows you to search your library for any card with a mana value of exactly 3, such as a powerful creature or a board wipe. Remember that Transmute can only be activated at sorcery speed, meaning during your main phase when the stack is empty.
Interaction examples
CounterspellIf your opponent casts Counterspell while they have no cards in hand, you can respond with Perplex. Perplex checks if they discard their hand; since discarding a hand of zero cards is a valid choice, the opponent can choose to 'discard' their empty hand to ensure their Counterspell still resolves.
Arcane DenialSuppose your opponent casts a spell and you respond with Perplex. If the opponent then casts Arcane Denial targeting your Perplex, your Perplex will be countered and moved to the graveyard. Because Perplex is no longer on the stack, its effect will not happen, and the opponent will not have to discard their hand.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Perplex
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell’s controller has no cards in their hand, that player can still choose to discard their hand and prevent the spell from being countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Perplex
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.