---
name: "Dismal Failure"
mana_cost: "{2}{U}{U}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["U"]
color_identity: ["U"]
keywords: []
set: "PLC"
set_name: "Planar Chaos"
collector_number: "39"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Dan Murayama Scott"
oracle_id: "1feeb881-ebe6-4afb-ba31-3d116d8ab7a1"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/dismal-failure-plc"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Dismal Failure
- **Mana Cost:** `{2}{U}{U}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card.

> *"Two magi could trade spells all day and never crown a victor. The real battle is not one of power but of will. If your confidence breaks, so too shall you."
—Venser*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Failed Inspection](/printing/failed-inspection-plst.md) — Instant
2. [Dismiss](/printing/dismiss-tmp.md) — Instant
3. [Refute](/printing/refute-fdn.md) — Instant
4. [Frightful Delusion](/printing/frightful-delusion-isd.md) — Instant
5. [Counterspell](/printing/counterspell-dmr.md) — Instant
6. [Deny Entry](/printing/deny-entry-tle.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Planar Chaos (PLC) #39
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Dan Murayama Scott
- **Total Printings:** 9 across all historical editions

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