---
name: "Desertion"
mana_cost: "{3}{U}{U}"
cmc: 5
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["U"]
color_identity: ["U"]
keywords: []
set: "CM1"
set_name: "Commander's Arsenal"
collector_number: "4"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Richard Kane Ferguson"
oracle_id: "ee3d1f44-e0ca-4ce9-be76-4b675a115156"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/desertion-cm1"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Desertion
- **Mana Cost:** `{3}{U}{U}` (CMC: 5)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
Counter target spell. If an artifact or creature spell is countered this way, put that card onto the battlefield under your control instead of into its owner's graveyard.

> *First the insult, then the injury.*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Fold into Aether](/printing/fold-into-aether-5dn.md) — Instant
2. [Dismiss](/printing/dismiss-tmp.md) — Instant
3. [Dissipate](/printing/dissipate-wc97.md) — Instant
4. [Lost in the Mist](/printing/lost-in-the-mist-isd.md) — Instant
5. [Spell Counter](/printing/spell-counter-unh.md) — Instant
6. [Dismal Failure](/printing/dismal-failure-plc.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Commander's Arsenal (CM1) #4
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Richard Kane Ferguson
- **Total Printings:** 33 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`