Devour Intellect MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Number | 97 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steven Russell Black |
Key Takeaways
- Devour Intellect disrupts opponents’ strategies with its hand control and treasure token generation abilities.
- Being an instant, Devour Intellect offers exceptional timing flexibility, increasing its strategic value.
- Despite its potential, the card requires careful mana management and may not fit in all decks.
Text of card
Target opponent discards a card. If mana from a Treasure was spent to cast this spell, instead that player reveals their hand, you choose a nonland card from it, then that player discards that card.
"I'll know what you know soon enough." —Nihiloor, Xanathar Guild spymaster
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Devour Intellect offers the capability to force an opponent to discard a card, potentially disrupting their strategy and giving you the upper hand in controlling the game’s pace.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to the discard effect, Devour Intellect can grant you Treasure tokens if a nonland card is discarded this way. Those tokens can be a pivotal resource boost, providing extra mana that can be vital for casting more spells sooner than usually possible.
Instant Speed: The fact that Devour Intellect can be played at instant speed makes it a versatile tool in your arsenal. You can decide to use it at the most opportune moment, such as during your opponent’s draw phase or after they’ve drawn a significant card, thus maximizing its potential impact on the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Devour Intellect necessitates discarding a card alongside paying mana, which can be strategically detrimental if you’re short on hand resources and need to maintain options for defense or offense.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell demands a precise mana arrangement that includes black, potentially restricting its utility to decks solidly within the black mana sphere or those with a reliable mana-fixing system.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Devour Intellect might fall short when compared to other disruption options, as its mana cost may be considered steep for the effect it provides, especially when alternatives may disrupt at a lower cost or offer additional benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Devour Intellect offers a unique utility in that it can disrupt your opponent’s hand while giving you the chance to cast one of their spells, making it a flexible addition to decks focusing on control and disruption.
Combo Potential: With the ability to potentially use your opponent’s spells against them, Devour Intellect can synergize with strategies that take advantage of casting from opposing decks, opening the door to unexpected and powerful combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: As players often tailor their decks to handle a variety of threats, Devour Intellect provides strategic advantage by paving the way for game-swinging opportunities. Especially in metas filled with high-value instants and sorceries, it stands as a card that can turn the tide by leveraging those cards for your gain.
How to beat Devour Intellect
Devour Intellect is a crafty card that can potentially disrupt your strategy by stripping away crucial spells from your hand. It adds an element of control for those wielding it but can be countered effectively with the right approach. Keeping your hand size generous is key; cards that allow you to draw more, like Opt or Serum Visions ensure you have a buffer against its discard effect.
Don’t overlook the benefits of graveyard play. Cards like Snapcaster Mage can give your discarded cards a second life, turning a seeming disadvantage on its head. Instants and spells with flashback also negate the loss by providing an avenue for you to utilize them from the graveyard. In a nutshell, maintaining card advantage and incorporating graveyard synergies can make Devour Intellect less devastating to your play strategy.
In the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering, Devour Intellect can present a challenge, but it’s one that can certainly be overcome with smart deck-building and foresight, turning your opponent’s thought-seizing tactics into your strategic victory.
Cards like Devour Intellect
Devour Intellect emerges as a compelling choice within the arena of control spells in Magic: The Gathering. Analogous to Inquisition of Kozilek, it targets an opponent’s hand, forcing them to reveal and potentially discard a nonland card. Where Devour Intellect diverges is its ability to be cast for a single black mana and its gambit – using mana from a Treasure token to activate its more potent effect.
Thoughtseize is another comparable spell, often lauded for its unmitigated selection capabilities, despite its two-life payment upon casting. Devour Intellect does not inflict a health penalty but instead hinges on the utilization of your mana reserves strategically. Then there’s Duress, a spell that offers hand disruption without cost to life or need for Treasure tokens but is limited to noncreature cards.
Ultimately, Devour Intellect finds its niche in the hand-disruption category. It’s a versatile tool, accommodating decks built with Treasure synergy or those just seeking a cost-effective disruption tactic. Its balance of cost, effect, and flexibility makes Devour Intellect a worthwhile inclusion for players exploring new dynamics in hand control strategies.
Cards similar to Devour Intellect by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Devour Intellect MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Devour Intellect and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Devour Intellect has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
