What does Suspend do in MTG?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Suspend is a keyword ability that allows players to pay a specific mana cost and exile a card with a number of time counters on it. This ability is often misunderstood, so let’s break it down and explore what it does.
Direct Answer
Suspend is a keyword ability that allows you to pay a specific mana cost and exile a card with a number of time counters on it. You remove one of these counters from the card at the beginning of your upkeep and then cast it without paying its mana cost when the last counter is removed.
How Suspend Works
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how Suspend works:
- Paying the Mana Cost: To suspend a card, you need to pay the specified mana cost.
- Exiling the Card: After paying the mana cost, you exile the card with a number of time counters on it.
- Removing Counters: At the beginning of your upkeep, you remove one time counter from the card.
- Casting the Card: When the last time counter is removed, you can cast the card without paying its mana cost.
Why Suspend?
Suspend is a powerful ability that allows players to play cards that would normally be too expensive or difficult to cast. By exiling the card and removing counters, you can create a window of opportunity to cast the card when it’s most advantageous.
When to Use Suspend
Here are some scenarios where Suspend can be useful:
- Ramp: Suspend can be used to ramp up your mana quickly, allowing you to play more expensive cards earlier in the game.
- Tutoring: Suspend can be used to tutor for specific cards, allowing you to find the cards you need when you need them.
- Countering: Suspend can be used to counter opponents’ plays, disrupting their plans and gaining an advantage.
Suspend and the Stack
It’s important to note that Suspend does not use the stack, unlike other abilities. This means that Suspend cannot be countered or responded to.
Suspend and Card Advantage
Suspend can also provide card advantage, as you can play cards that would normally be too expensive or difficult to cast. This can lead to a significant advantage in the game.
Examples of Suspend Cards
Here are some examples of cards that use the Suspend ability:
| Card | Mana Cost | Time Counters |
|---|---|---|
| Griselbrand | 3BG | 4 |
| Sphinx of the Steel Wind | 2WU | 3 |
| Baneslayer Angel | 3W | 2 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Suspend is a powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to pay a specific mana cost and exile a card with a number of time counters on it. By removing counters and casting the card without paying its mana cost, Suspend can provide significant card advantage and disrupt opponents’ plans. Whether you’re looking to ramp up your mana, tutor for specific cards, or counter opponents’ plays, Suspend is an ability worth understanding.