What are the top ten Instants in Magic: The Gathering?
Here’s a list of ten of the most powerful and impactful instants in Magic: The Gathering history, based on their versatility, the decks they fit into, and the influence they've had on formats and competitive play.
10. Dark Ritual
Dark Ritual is one of the most iconic and impactful mana acceleration spells ever printed. For just one black mana, it produces three black mana, enabling explosive early-game plays. In Legacy and Vintage, Dark Ritual is a key piece in fast combo decks like Ad Nauseam Tendrils (ANT), Reanimator, and Doomsday.
Its ability to fuel powerful combos or deploy massive threats as early as turn one or two makes it a cornerstone of black-based strategies. Its historical impact and ongoing relevance in eternal formats cement its place among the top ten most powerful instants in Magic history.
9. Mana Drain
One of the most powerful counterspells ever printed, Mana Drain not only counters a spell but also provides you with colorless mana in your next main phase equal to that spell’s converted mana cost. This creates a massive tempo swing, allowing players to counter a big spell and then use that mana for their own game plan.
Mana Drain is especially effective in Vintage and Commander, where large spells are common and being able to steal that tempo advantage can decide the game. It’s a hallmark of high-mana strategies in Commander, frequently seen in decks like Azorius Control or Grixis Control.
8. Fatal Push
Fatal Push is a one-mana removal spell that has become a staple in Modern, Legacy, and Pioneer due to its efficiency and flexibility. For a single black mana, Fatal Push can destroy any creature with a converted mana cost of 2 or less, and with the Revolt mechanic, it can hit creatures with a converted mana cost of up to 4.
Its efficiency in removing early-game threats like Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, Dragon's Rage Channeler, and Tarmogoyf has made it a core card in black-based Midrange and Control decks. Fatal Push’s relevance across multiple formats makes it one of the best and most versatile removal spells in Magic: The Gathering today.
7. Counterspell
The baseline for counter magic, Counterspell has been an influential card since the game's inception. For two blue mana, it counters any spell, making it an essential tool for control strategies.
Its simplicity and power have made it a favorite in blue-based control decks in Legacy and Commander, where it helps players dictate the flow of the game and answer virtually any threat. Whether it’s stopping a combo or preventing a key removal spell, Counterspell remains a highly effective way to maintain board control.
6. Vampiric Tutor
Vampiric Tutor is one of the most flexible and efficient tutors in the game. For a single black mana, it allows you to search for any card and place it on top of your library at the cost of 2 life. This instant is often used in combo and control decks, where finding the right card at the right time can make or break a game.
In Vintage and Commander, Vampiric Tutor is a critical component for assembling combos or digging for win conditions. The ability to search for any card, as opposed to just instants or sorceries, gives it a significant edge over Mystical Tutor, making it more widely applicable across multiple strategies.
5. Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt is the most iconic and versatile direct-damage spell in Magic: The Gathering. For a single red mana, it deals 3 damage to any target, whether that be a creature, planeswalker, or directly to an opponent's life total. Its efficiency is unmatched, making it both a great removal spell and a win condition in burn decks.
The impact of Lightning Bolt spans across multiple formats, with it being a key component in Burn decks in Modern and Legacy. It's also a key card in aggressive strategies like Modern Jund, giving red decks an incredibly powerful tool.
4. Brainstorm
One of the most powerful cantrips ever printed, Brainstorm is an integral card in Legacy, primarily due to its synergy with fetch lands. For just one blue mana, it allows players to draw three cards and put two back on top of their library.
While this seems simple, it’s incredibly powerful when combined with shuffle effects, allowing players to “fix” their hands and access only the cards they need. Brainstorm is especially prevalent in blue control and combo decks, such as Miracles and Delver, where it helps sculpt hands and dig for crucial answers or win conditions.
3. Swords to Plowshares
Arguably the best removal spell ever printed, Swords to Plowshares has become a staple in Legacy and Commander. For a single white mana, it exiles a creature, with its controller gaining life equal to the creature’s toughness.
While the life gain might seem like a downside, the efficiency of permanently removing any creature at instant speed is invaluable. White-based control decks, such as Death and Taxes in Legacy, rely heavily on Swords to Plowshares to manage aggressive strategies and maintain board control.
2. Force of Will
This free counterspell has defined competitive Legacy and Vintage for decades. Force of Will can counter any spell for the cost of exiling a blue card and paying 1 life, making it an essential piece in maintaining balance within eternal formats.
Its ability to stop fast combo decks and degenerate strategies before they take over the game makes it a cornerstone of reactive strategies. Decks like Delver, Miracles, and various blue control lists in Legacy all rely on Force of Will to control the pace of the game and prevent early losses to combo or aggro decks.
1. Ancestral Recall
As one of the Power Nine, Ancestral Recall is easily one of the most powerful instants in the game’s history. For a single blue mana, drawing three cards gives an enormous advantage in terms of card economy.
The sheer efficiency of Ancestral Recall is why it’s banned in nearly every format, except for Vintage, where it's restricted to a single copy per deck. The ability to gain such a massive card advantage for such a low cost has made Ancestral Recall a centerpiece in Vintage control decks like Jeskai Control and Grixis Control.
These instants have had a profound influence on the game, shaping competitive formats, enabling key strategies, and becoming staples in both casual and competitive play. Cards like Force of Will and Brainstorm are cornerstones of Legacy, while Lightning Bolt and Dark Ritual define red and black’s identity across multiple formats. Each of these spells provides immense value, whether through card advantage, removal, or disruption, making them integral parts of Magic’s history.
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