Monk of the Open Hand MTG Card

Monk of the Open Hand - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)

Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
2021-07-23 - Number 25

Monk of the Open Hand - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)

Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)
2022-07-07 - Number 96

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elf Monk
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

The card excels in spell-heavy decks by strengthening with each new spell cast, increasing board threat.
While it’s a low-cost creature, it does require white mana and additional spells to maximize potential.
Despite some limitations, its ability to scale makes it a worthy addition to MTG collections.

Text of card

Flurry of Blows — Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Monk of the Open Hand.

His mind is a tranquil meadow, his fists a raging storm.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Monk of the Open Hand thrives in decks that play multiple spells in a single turn, effectively making each spell cast more impactful by growing its power. This can lead to a considerable card advantage as your enhanced creature becomes a larger threat without the need to dedicate extra cards to it.

Resource Acceleration: Although Monk of the Open Hand doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost facilitates a faster build-up of board presence. This allows players to use their mana efficiently early in the game while holding back resources for significant plays later.

Instant Speed: While Monk of the Open Hand itself isn’t an instant, it complements instant-speed spells splendidly. Casting instants during the opponent’s turn before untapping and laying out further spells facilitates Monk’s ability, potentially turning it into a formidable creature swiftly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Monk of the Open Hand requires you to play another spell to trigger its ability, leading to potential card depletion from your hand, reducing your options for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for white mana to cast this card confines it to decks that run white mana sources, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only one white mana might seem efficient, to fully utilize Monk of the Open Hand’s ability, you must have additional spells to play, effectively increasing the overall mana expenditure to enhance this creature’s power and toughness.

Reasons to Include Monk of the Open Hand in Your Collection

Versatility: Monk of the Open Hand thrives in decks that cast multiple spells per turn, making it a highly adaptable creature for various archetypes. Its low mana cost allows for early game presence, and it can grow as a threat with every successive spell.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability scales beautifully with cheap spells and can become a powerhouse in combo decks. Its intrinsic ability to get larger with each spell encourages building a deck with low-cost spells that enable you to swarm the board with a surprisingly strong monk.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where spellcasting is the name of the game, Monk of the Open Hand fits right into spell-based aggressive strategies. It aligns well with the tempo playstyle that is frequently effective in shifting metas, ensuring its relevance in various competitive scenes.

How to Beat

Monk of the Open Hand stands as a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its flurry ability that boosts its power whenever you play your second spell each turn. To overcome this agile opponent, there are key strategies to bear in mind. A straightforward approach is to utilize removal spells before the creature’s power can increase. Bolts, Path to Exile, or Fatal Push can efficiently dispatch Monk of the Open Hand before it becomes a larger threat.

Considering that the Monk thrives in environments where multiple spells are cast in one turn, another tactic is to limit spell casting itself. Employing counter spells or imposing rules that restrict multiple plays, such as Eidolon of Rhetoric, can stifle the Monk’s advantage. Additionally, since the Monk is often played in decks designed around casting numerous spells quickly, tools that can wipe the board are also effective. Wrath of God or Doomskar serve to reset the playing field and neutralize the potential surge in power that Monk of the Open Hand aims to build up during the game.

Remember, in battling this card, timing and disrupting your opponent’s play patterns is crucial. Keep their board clear, manage the pace, and disable their key synergies to ensure the Monk of the Open Hand doesn’t lead to your downfall.

Cards like Monk of the Open Hand

Monk of the Open Hand finds its place in the vast landscape of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. When paralleled with cards like Dragonmaster Outcast, Monk of the Open Hand brings a different tactical advantage. While Dragonmaster Outcast requires a substantial land presence to summon Dragons, the Monk rewards players immediately upon casting other spells, no matter the land count.

Reflecting on cards such as Champion of the Parish, we note that both cards gain counters as you play other spells or creatures, yet Champion of the Parish is limited to Human creature spells. Monk of the Open Hand, with its broader trigger condition, can easily find a home in decks that cast various spell types. Furthermore, we also have Glistener Elf, a card that’s similarly cost-efficient but gears towards infect strategies, contrasting with the Monk’s growth through spell casting.

Evaluating Monk of the Open Hand alongside these comparable cards highlights its unique strength in spell-heavy decks. Its potential for growth with each successive spell cast positions it distinctively for players looking to leverage their low-cost spells into a growing threat on the battlefield.

Dragonmaster Outcast - MTG Card versions

Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Monk of the Open Hand by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Bushi Tenderfoot // Kenzo the Hardhearted - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Monk of the Open Hand MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Monk of the Open Hand and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Monk of the Open Hand Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Bryan Sola.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2021-07-23	Adventures in the Forgotten Realms	AFR		25	2015	Normal	Black	Bryan Sola
2	2022-07-07	Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate	HBG		96	2015	Normal	Black	Bryan Sola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Monk of the Open Hand has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Monk of the Open Hand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2021-07-23	If Monk of the Open Hand is the second spell you cast in a turn, spells you cast after that point in the same turn will not cause the Flurry of Blows ability to trigger.
2021-07-23	Monk of the Open Hand doesn't need to have been on the battlefield as the first spell was cast. For example, if Monk of the Open Hand is the first spell you cast, and then you cast another spell after the Monk resolved, that spell would cause the Flurry of Blows ability to trigger.