Aim for the Head MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 92
2022-01-28 - Number 359
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Choose one — • Exile target Zombie. • Target opponent exiles two cards from their hand.
"Works every time." —Halana, Kessig ranger
Cards like Aim for the Head
Aim for the Head is a distinct choice for players looking to disrupt their opponents in Magic: The Gathering. It’s similar to other discard effects like Thoughtseize, which allows a peek at an opponent’s hand and the removal of a nonland card at a low cost. However, Aim for the Head has the added advantage of targeting two cards, intensifying the discard strategy’s impact.
Another comparable card is Mind Rot, which traditionally forces an opponent to discard two cards as well. While Mind Rot has a straightforward discard effect without any conditions, Aim for the Head excels with its flashback feature, giving you a second chance to disturb your rival’s hand. In contrast to Thoughtseize’s immediate but once-off impact, Aim for the Head offers sustained advantage over multiple turns.
When sizing up capabilities and strategic depth, Aim for the Head is a compelling card that offers a blend of hand attack with the resilience of flashback. This combination can be crucial for controlling the pace of the match and depleting your opponent’s resources in thoughtful ways.
Cards similar to Aim for the Head by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Aim for the Head. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Standard | Mono-Black Midrange | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 1, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When playing Aim for the Head, it allows you to delve into your opponent’s hand, forcing them to discard two cards. This strategic move can significantly disrupt their plans while bolstering your position by diminishing their resources, all the while keeping your own hand intact.
Resource Acceleration: In games where graveyard interactions are prevalent, Aim for the Head can serve as a form of resource acceleration for yourself. By targeting key cards in your opponent’s hand, you pave the way for your own graveyard-centric strategies to flourish without competition, effectively accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Aim for the Head’s instant speed allows you to respond to threats or actions during your opponent’s turn. This gives you the upper hand, maintaining pressure and making it difficult for your opponent to predict and prepare for your next move, all while keeping your mana usage efficient.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Aim for the Head requires players to also discard a card, challenging them to weigh the benefits against their current hand. This can backfire, especially when your grip on resources is already slipping.
Specific Mana Cost: Aim for the Head’s casting cost demands two black mana, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-black or two-color decks that can reliably produce enough of this mana type.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including the two black, Aim for the Head stands at a crossroads of efficiency. There are alternatives available that might not hit as many targets but cost less, allowing you to maintain tempo and apply pressure elsewhere.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Aim for the Head offers a unique twist on graveyard disruption, allowing it to slide into a range of control or mid-range decks. This spell gives you the ability to interfere with your opponents’ graveyard strategies, which is essential in formats where reanimation and recursion are popular.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks that thrive off opponents’ discard, enhancing archetypes that leverage your opponent’s card disadvantage to your benefit. Its ability to target multiple graveyard resources at once makes it a potential combo enabler or disruptor depending on your strategy.
Meta-Relevance: With many decks relying heavily on graveyard mechanics for power plays, Aim for the Head fits into a meta that constantly battles against such strategies. In environments where creatures like Phoenix or recursive threats are common, having a tool like this can tip the scales in your favor.
How to beat
Aim for the Head offers a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, demanding a distinct approach to effectively counter it. Known for its ability to dismantle your opponent’s hand and graveyard, this card forces players to be strategic with their resources. Overcoming this obstacle requires patience and smart deck building, valuing the inclusion of cards with flashback or other mechanics that work from the graveyard.
Consider utilizing cards that benefit whenever a card is discarded or when interacting with the graveyard, thus negating some of Aim for the Head’s disruptive power. In situations where graveyard strategies are key, sideboarding options like ‘Tormod’s Crypt’ can help manage the impacts of graveyard exile. Also, aim to keep card advantage by using efficient draw spells or creatures that replace themselves in your hand to minimize the disruption to your game plan.
Navigating around Aim for the Head involves maintaining a diversified threat base, keeping key cards in your hand until they’re immediately useful, or leveraging alternative play methods that bypass traditional casting from the hand. Adapting your tactics to include these considerations can help you maintain control even when faced with this challenging card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aim for the Head MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Aim for the Head and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
Printings
The Aim for the Head Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 92 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 359 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aim for the Head has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aim for the Head card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | If the target opponent only has one card in hand, they will exile that card. |