Baleful Beholder MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 89
2021-07-23 - Number 311
2022-07-07 - Number 143
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beholder |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
When Baleful Beholder enters the battlefield, choose one — • Antimagic Cone — Each opponent sacrifices an enchantment. • Fear Ray — Creatures you control gain menace until end of turn. (A creature with menace can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
Cards like Baleful Beholder
Baleful Beholder brings its own unique spin to the MTG lineup of creatures with impactful enters-the-battlefield effects. It bears some resemblance to cards like Frost Titan, which also enters with the ability to potentially lock down an opponent’s game piece. Yet Baleful Beholder differentiates itself by offering a choice between two disruptive abilities upon entry: one that neutralizes an opponent’s spells or abilities, and another that can sweep away nonland permanents without hexproof.
In comparison, Ravenous Chupacabra is a creature that provides a targeted removal effect, destroying a creature an opponent controls upon arrival to the battlefield. While not as versatile in terms of options, it guarantees the removal of a pesky creature from the board. Conversely, Baleful Beholder has a broader, albeit more conditional, scope of influence. An immediate impact creature like Meteor Golem is also part of this family, able to get rid of any nonland permanent, not just creatures, similar to one of the Beholder’s choices.
Gauging the situation and which effect will play out best becomes critical when utilizing Baleful Beholder. This strategic element, alongside the dual-ability factor, positions it as a flexible and potentially game-changing card, offering tactical options not easily found in other single cards.
Cards similar to Baleful Beholder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Baleful Beholder is instrumental in swinging the game in your favor through its advantageous etb (enter the battlefield) effect. This card allows you to cast one of two possible spells without paying their mana costs, which isn’t just a trick up your sleeve; it’s an unexpected boon that can tip the scales by offering a notable edge in terms of resources on the board or hand.
Resource Acceleration: Among its abilities, the Baleful Beholder can potentially ramp up your resources significantly. By enabling you to play powerful spells ahead of time for free, it accelerates your gameplay, providing you with the means to overpower your adversaries with formidable plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Although the Beholder itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to cast another spell for zero cost can include instant-speed spells. This unpredictability can disrupt opponent’s strategies, particularly because you can choose the most opportune moment during the course of the game to unveil the full extent of the Beholder’s power.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Baleful Beholder, one potential downside for players is the necessity to discard another card to leverage some of its abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running low, potentially causing you to lose valuable momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: The Beholder demands a particular combination of mana types to cast. For those running a multicolored deck, this can sometimes pose a challenge, especially if the mana base isn’t properly optimized to accommodate such specifics without compromising the deck’s overall fluidity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the Beholder against other creatures in the MTG universe, it becomes apparent that its mana cost is on the higher end. This can be a significant drawback, as it takes longer to summon onto the battlefield, and there is an array of alternative creatures that can be played sooner, possibly with comparable or more impactful effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Baleful Beholder offers great adaptability, seamlessly integrating into multiple builds. It comes in handy for those decks that capitalize on spell control or creature removal effects. Its alternative modes give players the flexibility to respond to a wide array of board states.
Combo Potential: With its ability to either negate an opponent’s spell protections or clear out an array of creatures, this Beholder broadens the horizon for combo enthusiasts. It’s a linchpin for intricate plays, setting the stage for big swings or delivering the knockout blow in a tightly knit strategy.
Meta-Relevance: Given a metagame that shifts towards creature-dense decks or those that rely heavily on enchantments for protection, Baleful Beholder can prove to be a crucial sideboard card or even a main deck inclusion to tilt matches in your favor.
How to beat
Baleful Beholder is a creature card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As an imposing figure in MTG, overcoming this creature requires strategic play and card knowledge. This creature impacts the game heavily through its powerful abilities, creating an advantage that can seem daunting to counter. However, one effective strategy is to employ instant-speed removal spells to eliminate the Beholder before its abilities can take effect. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile can be key tools to swiftly dispatch of the Beholder, bypassing its potential to control the game.
Additionally, using counter magic such as Counterspell or Negate can prevent the Beholder from hitting the battlefield altogether. Decks with a suite of counters and removal options stand a better chance against the Beholder, as timely intervention is critical. If the Beholder does manage to resolve, having a plan to mitigate its abilities or quickly racing to close out the game through aggressive strategies could also turn the tide in your favor.
In summary, defeating Baleful Beholder comes down to preparedness and timing. With the right removal and counter measures, along with an understanding of when to deploy them, any player can neutralize the threat posed by this commanding creature and maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Baleful Beholder MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and 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 Baleful Beholder 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
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Printings
The Baleful Beholder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 311 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justine Jones | |
| 3 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Baleful Beholder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Baleful Beholder 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 | In a multiplayer game, each opponent in turn order will choose which enchantment to sacrifice, and they get to know the choices made before them by other players. Once those decisions are made, the chosen enchantments are all sacrificed at the same time. |