Chains of Mephistopheles MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 91
2007-09-10 - Number 63
2002-06-24 - Number 65646
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Abilities | Mill |
Text of card
Every time a player draws a card, that player must first discard a card from his or her hand. If there are no cards in player's hand, take top card from library and place it in the graveyard instead of drawing. This enchantment does not apply to the first card drawn by a player during the draw phase.
Cards like Chains of Mephistopheles
Chains of Mephistopheles is a unique and powerful card from Magic: The Gathering that has shaped strategies in formats where it’s legal. Its analogs in the MTG universe are few, but players might consider Nekusar, the Mindrazer for a somewhat similar effect. Nekusar also punishes opponents for drawing cards, albeit in a different manner by inflicting damage. Unlike Chains of Mephistopheles, it does not replace the draw with a compulsory discard, instead directly synergizing with any card draw by dealing damage.
Another card that echoes the hand disruption theme is Notion Thief. It allows its controller to capitalize on opponent’s draws but substitutes the extra draws with a single card for the controller, creating a powerful draw advantage. While Notion Thief doesn’t directly replicate the discard twist introduced by Chains of Mephistopheles, it represents a disruptive approach to the draw phase. Finally, Underworld Dreams shares the punitive aspect of Chains by dealing damage to opponents whenever they draw, however, it lacks the mechanic that turns drawing into a liability beyond life points.
Chains of Mephistopheles stands out due to its unmatched ability to turn card advantage into a potential hazard, making it a legendary card among those that manipulate draw and discard mechanics within Magic: The Gathering. Its scarcity and tactical applications make it a formidable and thought-provoking inclusion in any deck.
Cards similar to Chains of Mephistopheles by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Chains of Mephistopheles. 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 Pox | Legacy | Mono-Black Pox | Legacy Preliminary 2024-02-05 (1) |
 | BG | Legacy | Legacy League 2023-12-24 | |
 | Golgari Combo | Vintage | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Vintage Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chains of Mephistopheles can significantly disrupt your opponent’s card draw strategies, effectively turning their attempts at card advantage into a disadvantage. The ability to replace card draws with forced discards means you can limit your opponent’s options while maintaining your own card quality.
Resource Acceleration: This card indirectly accelerates your resources by hampering the resources of others. While not directly providing mana or cards, it ensures that opponents cannot easily outpace you through conventional draw mechanisms. This preservation of the status quo acts as a form of acceleration in comparison to your opponents’ decelerated states.
Instant Speed: While Chains of Mephistopheles itself is not at instant speed, it forces both players to adapt to an instant-speed mindset. With the ability to impact any draw outside of the first one in a player’s step, everyone must consider their actions more carefully, potentially giving you a strategic edge in reaction timing and decision-making during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Chains of Mephistopheles enforces a discard action whenever an attempt to draw an additional card is made. For players who rely on hand advantage, this can turn into a significant setback, potentially disrupting finely tuned strategies and leaving you vulnerable to opponent maneuvers.
Specific Mana Cost: Including the Chains in your deck necessitates a dedication to both black mana and generic mana sources. Its unique cost can be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks that must carefully balance their mana base to accommodate a spectrum of spells and abilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the card’s effect requiring one black mana and one generic mana to activate, its cost is substantial considering you might not always reap the benefits immediately. In fast-paced games, this can be a detriment as it competes with other potentially more impactful two-mana cards that could be played.
Reasons to Include Chains of Mephistopheles in Your Collection
Versatility: Chains of Mephistopheles offers unique interaction with card draw, which can be utilized in various deck archetypes. Its ability to fit into strategies that aim to control the opponent’s card advantage makes it a potent tool across multiple formats.
Combo Potential: The card pairs well with effects that force your opponent to draw, creating disruptive combos that can hinder their game plan, or in some instances, it can even be combined with your own card draw engines for a balanced approach.
Meta-Relevance: In environments with heavy card draw strategies, Chains of Mephistopheles has a significant impact. It disrupts popular deck types that rely on drawing an excess number of cards, giving you an edge in the current meta.
How to beat
The Chains of Mephistopheles card creates a complex and stifling environment in any Magic: The Gathering match. Dealing with its effects requires a strategic approach, focusing on actions that minimize forced draws or exploit situations where drawing cards becomes a disadvantage for your opponent. Utilizing spells that shuffle your graveyard back into your library or playing land-based strategies can effectively circumvent the card’s ability to diminish your hand.
Furthermore, decks that operate on a low hand size inherently reduce the Chains’ impact. It’s important to recognize that aggressive mulligan decisions or strategies involving hand disruption can also play to your advantage. Managing the battlefield and taking proactive steps to prevent a deck reliant on drawing cards from gaining momentum can be key to turning the tide when facing this formidable enchantment.
Lastly, remember that Chains of Mephistopheles is a unique effect in MTG, meaning there are very few direct answers to it within the game. Therefore, the most effective method to beat it often revolves around adapting your playstyle and building a deck designed to function under the constraints it imposes.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chains of Mephistopheles MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Magic Online Promos, 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 Chains of Mephistopheles and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Chains of Mephistopheles Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 91 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 65646 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | ||
| 3 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 63 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chains of Mephistopheles has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chains of Mephistopheles card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Cards which are drawn as a cost are affected by this card because replacement effects can alter the payment of costs. |
| 2004-10-04 | The effect is cumulative. If there are two of these on the battlefield, each of them will modify each draw (after the first one if during the draw step), and will cause the player to discard or to “mill” a card from their library. As they resolve in order, the player must discard if possible. Once the player fails to discard and instead “mills” a card, all further effects of additional Chains of Mephistopheles will not do anything. This is because the “mill” also replaces the draw effect and the player is no longer drawing a card. You handle them in order. Each one makes you discard first and then continue or else mill a card and lose the draw. |
| 2007-09-16 | A player’s normal card draw on their turn is exempt from this effect. All other draws will be affected. |
| 2007-09-16 | Here’s what happens when Chains of Mephistopheles replaces a player’s draw: — If that player has at least one card in their hand, they discard a card and then draws a card. — If that player’s hand is empty, they put the top card of their library into their graveyard. The player doesn’t draw a card at all. |
| 2007-09-16 | If a spell or ability would cause a player to draw multiple cards, this is treated as a number of individual “draw one card” actions. Apply the effect of Chains of Mephistopheles to each one. |