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Mental Misstep, art by Erica Yang
Art by Erica Yang · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · image via Scryfall
Selected printing · USD
$10.28
checked Jun 14, 2026 · Scryfall
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Mental Misstep

{U/P} · Instant

({U/P} can be paid with either {U} or 2 life.) Counter target spell with mana value 1.

Rulings (7)

Jun 1, 2011 · Each Phyrexian mana symbol in a spell's mana cost contributes 1 to that spell's mana value. For example, Mental Misstep's mana value is 1, regardless of how its cost was paid.

Jun 1, 2011 · To calculate the mana value of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1.

Jun 1, 2011 · If a spell has {X} in its mana cost, X is considered to be the value chosen for it while that spell is on the stack.

Jun 1, 2011 · As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X.

Jun 1, 2011 · A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid.

Jun 1, 2011 · If you're at 1 life or less, you can't pay 2 life.

Jun 1, 2011 · Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can't produce Phyrexian mana.

LegacyBanned
VintageRestricted
ModernBanned
PioneerNot legal
StandardNot legal
PauperNot legal
PremodernNot legal
cEDHLegal

Where it’s played now

Inclusion by archetype

% of archetype's lists running it · last 30 days · n=148 decks
ArchetypeFormatInclusionCopiesDecks (n)
UB Lurrus ControlVintage100%37
Lurrus POVintage100%25
Esper Lurrus ControlVintage100%19
Lurrus DoomsdayVintage100%19
Kinnan, Bonder ProdigycEDH100%14
Kraum, Ludevic's Opus / Tymna the WeavercEDH100%13
POVintage100%13
CountervineVintage100%8
Data as of Jun 14, 2026 · MTGO + papercasthaven.com

Price

Mental Misstep — price trend

Daily cheapest printing · USD · last 90 days · n=2 snapshots
Data as of Jun 14, 2026 · Scryfallcasthaven.com

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