Behind the Mask MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Collect evidence |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Number | 39 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Caio Monteiro |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may collect evidence 6. (Exile cards with total mana value 6 or greater from your graveyard.) Until end of turn, target artifact or creature becomes an artifact creature with base power and toughness 4/3. If evidence was collected, it has base power and toughness 1/1 until end of turn instead.
Cards like Behind the Mask
Behind the Mask is a notable enchantment card that resonates with sneaky playstyles in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Mask of Avacyn, offering the benefit of hexproof to keep key creatures protected. Yet, Behind the Mask introduces a unique twist with its ability to be attached to creatures as soon as they enter the battlefield, similar to Lightning Greaves. Despite Lightning Greaves providing shroud instead of hexproof and granting haste, the immediate protection mechanics are a strategic parallel.
Comparative enchantments such as Spectra Ward also rise to the occasion, but with a focus on bolstering a creature’s defense with protection from all colors, a feature that Behind the Mask forgoes in favor of surprise and cunning timing. Moreover, Spectra Ward’s higher mana cost and inability to be moved after enchanting set it apart. Alexi’s Cloak is another peer, providing protection with flash and shroud. It’s a spell that can be cast at any moment like Behind the Mask, allowing for a sudden defense, but lacks the flexibility of moving the enchantment between creatures.
In essence, Behind the Mask holds its own by merging elements of timing and versatility, making it a crafty tool in the arsenal of MTG players who favor evasion and adaptive strategies.
Cards similar to Behind the Mask by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Behind the Mask. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor | |
 | Izzet Prowess | Pioneer | Izzet Prowess | Pioneer League 2024-02-19 |
 | Simic Aggro | Standard | Simic Artifact Aggro | ~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Behind the Mask affords players a significant edge in hand resources, permitting them to replace it upon resolution. This feature can be pivotal in staying ahead of the competition and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This card can soar beyond mere card replacement by potentially enabling resource acceleration. Should it reveal additional lands or mana-generating effects, players can rapidly expand their board presence and utilize high-cost spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: Its instant speed quality offers flexibility in gameplay, allowing strategists to adeptly navigate their turns. Players can optimally time the casting of Behind the Mask, thus maximizing their tactical possibilities while keeping adversaries on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Behind the Mask requires a player to discard a card in order to activate its effects. This can pose a challenge when your hand is already depleted or if you are holding onto key pieces for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both generic and black mana for casting, making it exclusively viable in decks that run black mana sources. This can impede deck-building versatility and make it unsuitable for mono-colored or decks without black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that is on the higher side for its type of effect, Behind the Mask might not be as mana-efficient compared to other options. This could decelerate your game, especially when facing decks that can establish board presence or disrupt your play more quickly.
Reasons to Include Behind the Mask in Your Collection
Versatility: Behind the Mask offers the flexibility to be slotted into a variety of deck archetypes. Its nature as an enchantment can bolster strategies centered around auras, improving both creature-heavy and control-focused decks.
Combo Potential: This card can pair well with cards that are designed to take advantage of hexproof or shroud abilities, creating opportunities for powerful synergies and protecting your key creatures from being targets of spells or abilities.
Meta-Relevance: With a metagame that shifts and evolves, having tools like Behind the Mask can adapt to different competitive environments, providing an edge against decks that rely heavily on targeted removal to dismantle an opponent’s board presence.
How to beat
Behind the Mask is a card that can prove a real challenge to overcome in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This card is notorious for its ability to grant vigilance to a creature and to morph, surprising an unwary opponent with a concealed threat. To counter this strategic advantage, players should aim to manage their resources carefully, prioritizing the removal of threats as they are deployed instead of waiting for the perfect moment that may never come.
One effective strategy is to keep instant-speed removal or bounce spells in hand, which can disrupt your opponent’s combat calculations and potentially clear a path for a crucial attack. Moreover, it’s essential to monitor the board state and anticipate possible morphs based on the mana that your opponent has available. Control decks that pack counterspells can also be effective, as they hold the power to prevent Behind the Mask from hitting the board in the first place. Remember, the key to beating cards with hidden information lies in calculated risks and maintaining a flexible game plan.
Whether you’re facing a particularly stealthy Behind the Mask or maneuvering around other complex MTG cards, a balance of foresight and reactive play is your best asset. Stay vigilant, and the victory could be yours.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Behind the Mask MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Behind the Mask 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Behind the Mask has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |