Essence Backlash
RTRReturn to Ravnica/#160/2012Common
Colour IDMV 4
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.35
Cardmarket€0.12
ManaPool$0.15
TCGplayer$0.10
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.02
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.03 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.35High $0.35Low $0.35▲ 0.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.10TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-09
7d▲ 0.0%30d▲ 0.0%90d▲ 66.7%
90d high
$0.11
90d low
$0.06
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.10
Return to Ravnica
- Up 0.0% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 9% below its 90 day high of $0.11.
- Foil copies of this printing carry a 100% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
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Compare printings (1 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.
Card capabilities
Instant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings (3)
wotc1 Oct 2012
Essence Backlash can target a creature spell that can’t be countered. If Essence Backlash resolves, it won’t counter the spell but it will still deal damage.
wotc1 Oct 2012
If the creature’s power is * and it has an ability defining its power, use that ability to determine its power.
wotc1 Oct 2012
Abilities that change the power of a creature (such as the one of Collective Blessing) affect only creatures on the battlefield. They won’t change a creature spell’s power on the stack.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Essence Backlash
Essence Backlash is an Instant, with mana cost {2}{U}{R} (mana value 4).
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.10 (up 0.0% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Essence Backlash FAQ
How much is Essence Backlash worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Essence Backlash is $0.10. It is up 0.0% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.06 to $0.11.
What is the cheapest printing of Essence Backlash?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Return to Ravnica at $0.10 on TCGplayer.
What set was Essence Backlash first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from RTR #160, released 2012-10-05.
Is there a foil version of Essence Backlash?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $0.20 versus $0.10 for nonfoil, which is 100% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Essence Backlash legal in Commander?
Yes, Essence Backlash is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Essence Backlash legal in Modern?
Yes, Essence Backlash is currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Essence Backlash legal in Standard?
Essence Backlash is not currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Essence Backlash do?
Essence Backlash is an Instant with mana cost {2}{U}{R}. Its Oracle text reads: "Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.".