Checks and Balances
UGLUnglued/#16/1998Uncommon
Colour IDMV 3
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.59
Cardmarket€0.30
ManaPool$0.19
TCGplayer$0.37
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.05
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.59High $0.69Low $0.35▲ 68.6%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.37TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 0.0%30d▼ 2.6%90d▼ 9.8%
90d high
$0.41
90d low
$0.37
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.37
Unglued
- Down 2.6% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 10% below its 90 day high of $0.41.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (1 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Enchantment
Cast this spell only if there are three or more players in the game.
Whenever a player casts a spell, each of that player's opponents may discard a card. If they do, counter that spell.
Card capabilities
DiscardEnchantment
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings
No rulings recorded for this card.
Similar cardsOpen Card Finder →
Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
Shares Discard, EnchantmentSame colour identity
Shares Discard, EnchantmentSame colour identity
Shares Discard, EnchantmentOverlapping colour identity
Shares Discard, EnchantmentMV 4 vs 3
Shares Discard, EnchantmentMV 4 vs 3
Shares Discard, EnchantmentMV 4 vs 3
Shares Discard, EnchantmentMV 4 vs 3
Shares Discard, EnchantmentMV 4 vs 3
About this card
Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances is an Enchantment, with mana cost {2}{U} (mana value 3).
Format legality: Commander: not_legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: not_legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.37 (down 2.6% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Checks and Balances FAQ
How much is Checks and Balances worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Checks and Balances is $0.37. It is down 2.6% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.37 to $0.41.
What is the cheapest printing of Checks and Balances?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Unglued at $0.37 on TCGplayer.
What set was Checks and Balances first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from UGL #16, released 1998-08-11.
Is Checks and Balances legal in Commander?
Checks and Balances is not currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Checks and Balances legal in Modern?
Checks and Balances is not currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Checks and Balances legal in Standard?
Checks and Balances is not currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Checks and Balances do?
Checks and Balances is an Enchantment with mana cost {2}{U}. Its Oracle text reads: "Cast this spell only if there are three or more players in the game. Whenever a player casts a spell, each of that player's opponents may discard a card. If they do, counter that spell.".