Essence Backlash (160)
RTR · Return to Ravnica · common
| Mana cost |    |
|---|---|
| Mana value | 4.0 |
| Type | Instant |
| Rarity | common |
| Colors | R, U |
| EDHREC rank | 18621 |
Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.
"The other guilds will learn the hard way not to interfere with our investigations." —Bori Andon, Izzet blastseeker
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Printings
Price history
Latest prices
| Provider | Type | Normal | Foil | Etched | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tcgplayer | retail | $0.10 | $0.21 | — | 2026-09-27 |
| manapool | retail | $0.15 | $0.19 | — | 2026-09-27 |
| cardmarket | retail | $0.15 | $0.27 | — | 2026-09-27 |
| cardkingdom | retail | $0.35 | $0.49 | — | 2026-09-27 |
| cardhoarder | retail | $0.03 | — | — | 2026-09-27 |
| cardkingdom | buylist | $0.01 | — | — | 2026-09-06 |
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Legality
| Format | Status |
|---|---|
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Pauper Commander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rulings
- 2012-10-01: 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.
- 2012-10-01: 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.
- 2012-10-01: If the creature’s power is * and it has an ability defining its power, use that ability to determine its power.
Other languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Chinese Simplified | 精魂反挫 |
| Chinese Traditional | 精魂反挫 |
| French | Contrecoup d'essence |
| German | Essenzrückwirkung |
| Italian | Reazione dell'Essenza |
| Japanese | 本質の反発 |
| Korean | 정수 반발 |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Reação Adversa da Essência |
| Russian | Ответный Удар Эссенции |
| Spanish | Contragolpe de esencia |