Body of Knowledge MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Avatar |
Power | * |
Toughness | * |
Text of card
Body of Knowledge's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand. You have no maximum hand size. Whenever Body of Knowledge is dealt damage, draw that many cards.
Cards like Body of Knowledge
Body of Knowledge stands out in the realm of creative creature design in Magic: The Gathering. It draws an interesting parallel with cards like Toothy, Imaginary Friend, which accumulates power and toughness as cards are drawn. While Toothy has the potential to grow incredibly large over time, Body of Knowledge sets itself apart with its base power and toughness directly reflecting the number of cards in a player’s hand at any given moment without the need for setup or triggers.
Another card to consider in conjunction with Body of Knowledge is Psychosis Crawler, which not only grows with the size of your hand but also pings opponents whenever you draw a card, perfectly marrying creature threat with direct damage. Body of Knowledge, however, lacks this punishing aspect but compensates with the ability to be an instant large blocker or attacker, dependent on your hand size.
When assessing the unique traits of card-draw-dependent creatures, Body of Knowledge brings to the table an instantaneous impact and a dynamic presence that can adapt quickly to the ever-changing battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. Its capacity to become an immediate force makes it a valuable asset in decks that ensure a consistently full grip of cards.
Cards similar to Body of Knowledge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Body of Knowledge card becomes an asset to your deck by transforming your life total into a formidable library size. This unique capability can provide a significant card advantage as it can potentially increase the number of cards you have access to, opening up a broader range of strategic options during play.
Resource Acceleration: By enabling you to potentially draw additional cards equal to your life points during your upkeep, Body of Knowledge can act as a catalyst for resource acceleration. This uptick in accessible resources can be pivotal in outpacing your opponent, as it gives you the tools needed to respond to threats or establish a dominant board presence swiftly.
Instant Speed: While Body of Knowledge itself doesn’t have an instant timing, it synergizes well with spells cast at instant speed. This allows you to react to opponents’ actions by refilling your hand, making it easier to maintain a responsive stance throughout the game and effectively utilize your freshly gleaned information at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Body of Knowledge requires a player to discard a card, which could put them at a disadvantage, especially in situations where card advantage is crucial or if they’re holding onto key pieces of their strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes blue mana, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck builds, potentially restricting it to blue-centric or multicolor decks that can accommodate the mana base needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Body of Knowledge offers a unique ability to make its toughness equal to the number of cards in your hand, its mana cost is significant. There are alternative options in the game that could provide a player with more immediate board impact or advantage at a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Body of Knowledge in Your Collection
Versatility: Body of Knowledge offers a unique take on card advantage. As a creature whose power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand, it naturally fits into decks that prioritize a full grip of cards. Its flexibility shines in both control and combo decks seeking to capitalize on hand size.
Combo Potential: With the ability to absorb damage by drawing cards, Body of Knowledge can be a linchpin in strategies that cycle through the deck rapidly. Combining it with cards that allow you no maximum hand size turns it into a formidable threat that also protects your life total by replenishing your options.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where games can swing based on card advantage and player resources, Body of Knowledge stands out as a valuable asset. It matches well against attrition-based strategies, giving deck builders a card that can swing the tide in prolonged matches.
How to beat
Body of Knowledge is a unique card that can certainly pose a challenge on the battlefield. At the core of its strength is its ability to swell in power and toughness in alignment with a player’s hand size, making it a formidable creature in the late game. One effective strategy to diminish its threat is to limit your opponent’s hand size. Employing discard effects can chip away at their card advantage, thereby shrinking the Body of Knowledge. Instants like Thoughtseize or agonizingly disruptive spells such as Mind Rot can help achieve this.
Additionally, control decks that rely on counter spells can prevent Body of Knowledge from ever hitting the board. If the card does manage to make a presence, removal spells that bypass its stat scaling, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can provide a clean and mana-efficient answer. Another angle of attack would be to employ effects that restrict or negate abilities. With such enchantments as Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, you can effectively nullify the card’s benefits regardless of your opponent’s hand size. Remember, keeping pressure and responding to threats smartly while managing resources is paramount to overcoming formidable cards like Body of Knowledge.
BurnMana Recommendations
Delving into MTG, every card and strategy plays a pivotal role in crafting victories. Body of Knowledge is no exception, offering an intriguing twist to deck dynamics with its ability to turn your life total into a vast wellspring of strategic possibilities. It’s essential to understand both its strengths and its limitations to harness its potential. If your deck thrives on maintaining a full hand, Body of Knowledge can be a game-changer, especially when paired with no-maximum-hand-size cards or instant-speed synergies. Ready to enhance your deck with nuanced tactics and navigate the seas of resourcefulness? Explore deeper insights and advanced strategies with us and empower your gameplay with the multifaceted Body of Knowledge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Body of Knowledge MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Body of Knowledge 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 Body of Knowledge Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Clint Cearley.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 85990 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | ||
2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 631 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Body of Knowledge has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Body of Knowledge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-11-10 | As long as Body of Knowledge is in your hand, its ability will count itself. |
2020-11-10 | Creatures may be dealt damage greater than their toughness. For example, if Body of Knowledge is a 3/3 creature and a source deals 5 damage to it, you'll draw five cards. Note that if Body of Knowledge is dealt lethal damage, it dies before the cards are drawn, meaning they won't raise Body of Knowledge's toughness in time to save it. |
2020-11-10 | The ability that defines Body of Knowledge's power and toughness applies in all zones, not just the battlefield. |