---
name: "Mages' Contest"
mana_cost: "{1}{R}{R}"
cmc: 3
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["R"]
color_identity: ["R"]
keywords: []
set: "PLST"
set_name: "The List"
collector_number: "INV-154"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Bradley Williams"
oracle_id: "b0a6bf69-7e21-4d5c-ac72-5946d84fc2ca"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/mages-contest-plst"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Mages' Contest
- **Mana Cost:** `{1}{R}{R}` (CMC: 3)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
You and target spell's controller bid life. You start the bidding with a bid of 1. In turn order, each player may top the high bid. The bidding ends if the high bid stands. The high bidder loses life equal to the high bid. If you win the bidding, counter that spell.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Illicit Auction](/printing/illicit-auction-6ed.md) — Sorcery
2. [Pain's Reward](/printing/pains-reward-sok.md) — Sorcery
3. [Life at Stake](/printing/life-at-stake-unk.md) — Instant
4. [Dash Hopes](/printing/dash-hopes-plc.md) — Instant
5. [Overrule](/printing/overrule-dis.md) — Instant
6. [Deny the Witch](/printing/deny-the-witch-40k.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** The List (PLST) #INV-154
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Bradley Williams
- **Total Printings:** 10 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: `not_legal`