---
name: "Essence Backlash"
mana_cost: "{2}{U}{R}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["R", "U"]
color_identity: ["R", "U"]
keywords: []
set: "RTR"
set_name: "Return to Ravnica"
collector_number: "160"
rarity: "common"
artist: "Jung Park"
oracle_id: "f51ed0b4-c144-458e-b97c-618b9e1cf25d"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/essence-backlash-rtr"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Essence Backlash
- **Mana Cost:** `{2}{U}{R}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
Counter target creature spell. Essence Backlash deals damage equal to that spell's power to its controller.

> *«Рано или поздно остальные гильдии поймут, что вмешиваться в наши опыты — себе дороже». — Бори Андан, иззетский взрывоискатель*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Essence Scatter](/printing/essence-scatter-ddt.md) — Instant
2. [Suffocating Blast](/printing/suffocating-blast-apc.md) — Instant
3. [Essence Capture](/printing/essence-capture-rna.md) — Instant
4. [Trap Essence](/printing/trap-essence-ktk.md) — Instant
5. [Psychic Barrier](/printing/psychic-barrier-nph.md) — Instant
6. [False Summoning](/printing/false-summoning-plst.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Return to Ravnica (RTR) #160
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Artist:** Jung Park
- **Total Printings:** 11 across all historical editions

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