Counterbalance
Counterbalance Price Summary
As of Aug 9, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Counterbalance is $3.45 (MB2 #157), and the most expensive is $92.00 (CSP #31, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $3.45, down 35.5% over 7 days, down 38.5% over 30 days, down 25.0% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $14.99 (2024).
Counterbalance Printings & Prices
Counterbalance has 6 tracked printings across 5 sets, in nonfoil, rainbow foil and foil finishes, including borderless treatments.
Sell Counterbalance: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $50.00 cash for CSP #31 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 50% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoolStuffInc | CSP #31 | Foil | $60.00 | — | — |
| starcitygames | CSP #31 | Foil | $55.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | CSP #31 | Foil | $50.00 | $99.99 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | MP2 #9 | Foil | $42.00 | $74.99 | 44% |
| CoolStuffInc | MP2 #9 | Foil | $34.00 | — | — |
| CoolStuffInc | MB2 #157 | Foil | $15.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | MB2 #157 | Foil | $14.00 | $27.99 | 50% |
| CoolStuffInc | SLD #1220 | Foil | $13.00 | — | — |
| starcitygames | MB2 #157 | Foil | $12.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | SLD #1220 | Foil | $11.00 | $23.99 | 54% |
Counterbalance Rules Text & Legality
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may reveal the top card of your library. If you do, counter that spell if it has the same mana value as the revealed card.
Counterbalance is legal in Modern, Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer and Pauper.
Counterbalance Rulings
- Apr 18, 2017 If an opponent casts half of a split card (for example, Hit), it won't be countered if you reveal that same split card. The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves, but the mana value of Hit is determined using only that half's mana cost.
- Jul 15, 2006 If an opponent casts a spell with X in its mana cost, the mana value of that spell takes the value of X into account. If you reveal a card with X in its mana cost, X is 0. For example, if your opponent casts Blaze with X=1, Counterbalance will counter that spell if you reveal a card with mana value 2, but it won't counter that spell if you reveal a Blaze of your own.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Counterbalance has been reprinted 10 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB2 #157 | 2024-08-02 | Uncommon | Standard | $8.25 |
| MB2 #157 | 2024-08-02 | Uncommon | Standard | $59.20 |
| PLST #CSP-31 | 2022-04-29 | Uncommon | Standard | — |
| SLD #2066 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #2066 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #1220 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| SLD #1220 | 2021-06-21 | Rare | Borderless | — |
| MP2 #9 | 2017-04-28 | Special | Borderless | — |
| CSP #31 | 2006-07-21 | Uncommon | Standard | — |
| CSP #31 | 2006-07-21 | Uncommon | Standard | — |
MB2 #157 
PLST #CSP-31 
SLD #2066 
MP2 #9 
CSP #31 Counterbalance in Commander
Counterbalance is the #3,223 most-played card on EDHREC, down 28 places over the last 30 days.
Counterbalance FAQ
How much is Counterbalance worth?
Counterbalance is worth about $3.45 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 9, 2026. Prices range from $3.45 to $92.00 across 6 tracked printings.
Is Counterbalance legal in Commander?
Yes — Counterbalance is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Modern and Legacy.
Has Counterbalance been reprinted?
Yes — Counterbalance has been reprinted 10 times, with 6 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Counterbalance cheap?
Counterbalance trades at about $3.45 — 10 reprints keep supply plentiful.