Desertion
6EDClassic Sixth Edition/#64/1999RareReprint
Colour IDMV 5
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$4.49
Cardmarket€2.15
ManaPool$1.52
TCGplayer$2.22
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$2.50
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $4.49High $4.49Low $1.79▲ 125.6%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$2.22TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 1.4%30d▲ 6.2%90d▲ 0.0%
90d high
$2.22
90d low
$2.07
Paper printings priced
6
Currently 3rd
Cheapest paper printing
$0.53
The List
- Up 6.2% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Trading at or near its 90 day high of $2.22.
- This printing is the 3rd cheapest paper printing currently priced (6 priced in total).
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
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Compare printings (6 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Counter target spell. If an artifact or creature spell is countered this way, put that card onto the battlefield under your control instead of into its owner's graveyard.
Card capabilities
CounterspellInstant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Rulings (3)
wotc12 Apr 2024
This spell includes a replacement effect. If the target is an artifact or creature spell, it never goes to the graveyard.
wotc4 Oct 2004
The card is put onto the battlefield, but any effects that check if the original card was "cast from your hand" will not trigger or otherwise consider the card to have been cast from your hand. The card was put onto the battlefield by the effect of Desertion instead.
wotc4 Oct 2004
If the spell is not countered (because the spell it targets can't be countered), then this card's ability does not put the card onto the battlefield. The spell continues to resolve as normal.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
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Shares Counterspell, InstantSame colour identity
Shares Counterspell, InstantSame colour identity
Shares Counterspell, InstantSame colour identity
Shares Counterspell, InstantSame colour identity
Shares Counterspell, InstantSame colour identity
About this card
Desertion
Desertion is an Instant, with mana cost {3}{U}{U} (mana value 5). Printed 6 times across MTG sets.
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $2.22 (up 6.2% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Desertion FAQ
How much is Desertion worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Desertion is $2.22. It is up 6.2% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $2.07 to $2.22.
What is the cheapest printing of Desertion?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from The List at $0.53 on TCGplayer.
What is the most expensive printing of Desertion?
The most expensive currently priced paper printing is from Commander's Arsenal at $3.66 on TCGplayer.
How many printings of Desertion are there?
Desertion has been printed 6 times in English paper sets that MTGPrices tracks.
What set was Desertion first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from VIS #30, released 1997-02-03.
What is the newest printing of Desertion?
The most recent English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from PLST #CN2-107, released 2024-08-02.
Is Desertion legal in Commander?
Yes, Desertion is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Desertion legal in Modern?
Desertion is not currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.