First printed in Return to Ravnica (2012)
Instant
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
Legality
- Legal in
- Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Pauper, Penny Dreadful, Commander, Duel Commander, Pauper Commander, Oathbreaker
- Not legal in
- Standard, Future Standard, Historic, Timeless, Alchemy, Premodern, Old School 93/94, Gladiator, PreDH, Tiny Leaders, Brawl, Standard Brawl, Competitive Brawl
Rulings (3)
- 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.
- 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.
- If the creature’s power is * and it has an ability defining its power, use that ability to determine its power.
Prices
MTGO price: 0.002 TIX, the cheapest non-foil print (average sell price on GoatBots, 1 Nov 2026).