Intervene
Instant
Counter target spell that targets a creature.
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- U
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Urza's Legacy
- Price
- $0.32
- EDHREC rank
- #15503
Intervene counters a spell that targets one of your creatures — but only that narrow slice of spells, which is the whole problem. A strictly worse Counterspell with no upside, it loses the slot to Heroic Intervention or even Dive Down in any deck that actually wants creature protection.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Intervene is too narrow to justify a slot — protecting one creature from one targeted spell matters far less when you're facing three opponents and any boardwipe invalidates the trade entirely. Pauper is the one format where Intervene sees occasional fringe play, since the counterspell pool is shallow and pinpoint creature protection has more relative value in one-on-one games. Legacy and Vintage have access to the full counterspell suite, so Intervene doesn't register. The honest read: Intervene is a card you play when the format limits your options, not because it's good.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.32 bulk tier
At $0.32, Intervene is bulk — easy to acquire, but the price reflects the power level accurately. Don't expect it to appreciate; strictly better protection options exist at the same price point or lower.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.