How to Counter Blue in MTG: Strategies and Tips
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a popular trading card game that involves strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck. With so many different colors and combinations to play with, it can be challenging to counter an opponent’s moves, especially when they’re playing with blue cards. Blue is known for its versatility and ability to manipulate the game state, making it a formidable opponent. In this article, we’ll explore some strategies and tips on how to counter blue in MTG.
Play Red and/or Green
One of the most effective ways to counter blue is to play with red and/or green cards. Red is known for its aggressive creatures and burn spells, while green is all about ramping up your mana and playing big, powerful creatures. By playing with these colors, you can create a formidable board presence that can withstand blue’s attempts to disrupt your plans.
Use Creatures with Protection from Blue
Another way to counter blue is to use creatures with protection from blue. These creatures have a built-in advantage against blue cards, making them a great choice for players who want to take on blue opponents. Some examples of creatures with protection from blue include:
- Luminous Bonds: A 2/2 creature with protection from blue and flying.
- Fog: A 2/2 creature with protection from blue and trample.
- Spectral Procession: A 4/4 creature with protection from blue and flying.
Use Creatures that Can’t be Countered
Blue is all about countering spells and abilities, so it’s essential to play creatures that can’t be countered. These creatures are often referred to as "unsummonable" or "uncounterable," and they can be a game-changer in the right situation. Some examples of creatures that can’t be countered include:
- Kolaghan, the Storm’s Fury: A 4/4 flying creature that can’t be countered.
- Thunderbreak Regent: A 4/4 trampling creature that can’t be countered.
- Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice: A 4/4 flying creature that can’t be countered.
Run a Fast Deck
Blue is all about ramping up your mana and playing big, powerful spells. To counter blue, you need to be able to play quickly and aggressively. A fast deck with a lot of cheap creatures and spells can be an excellent way to take on blue opponents. Some examples of fast decks include:
- Mono-Red Aggro: A deck that focuses on playing a lot of cheap, aggressive creatures.
- Goblin Tribal: A deck that focuses on playing a lot of goblin creatures and using their abilities to generate card advantage.
- Ramp: A deck that focuses on ramping up your mana and playing big, powerful spells.
Compete with Blue in the Air
Blue is known for its flying creatures, so it’s essential to have a plan to compete with them in the air. This can be done by playing creatures with flying or using spells that can attack your opponent’s creatures. Some examples of creatures with flying include:
- Luminous Bonds: A 2/2 creature with protection from blue and flying.
- Fog: A 2/2 creature with protection from blue and trample.
- Spectral Procession: A 4/4 creature with protection from blue and flying.
Countering Blue’s Disruption
Blue is all about disrupting your opponent’s plans, so it’s essential to have a plan to counter their disruption. This can be done by playing cards that can disrupt blue’s plans or using spells that can remove their disruption. Some examples of cards that can disrupt blue’s plans include:
- Mana Leak: A spell that can counter blue’s spells and abilities.
- Remand: A spell that can return blue’s spells and abilities to their owner’s hand.
- Vedalken Shackles: A spell that can exile blue’s creatures and planeswalkers.
Conclusion
Countering blue in MTG can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By playing with red and/or green cards, using creatures with protection from blue, and running a fast deck, you can create a formidable board presence that can withstand blue’s attempts to disrupt your plans. Additionally, competing with blue in the air and countering their disruption can be key to winning games against blue opponents. With practice and patience, you can develop the skills and strategies needed to take on blue opponents and come out on top.