Distorted Curiosity MTG Card


Grants card advantage, refilling your hand when casting the second spell each turn. Proffers flexible instant speed play, allowing strategic draw timing. Carries a discard cost, requiring careful hand management.
Distorted Curiosity - Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Corrupted
Released2023-02-03
Set symbol
Set namePhyrexia: All Will Be One
Set codeONE
Number46
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Text of card

Corrupted — This spell costs less to cast if an opponent has three or more poison counters. Draw two cards.

"Free will was an illusion so perfect it fooled even me. I know better now."


Cards like Distorted Curiosity

Distorted Curiosity joins the ranks of intriguing card draw spells in Magic the Gathering, providing players a fine balance between knowledge and strategy. It lines up with other spells like Chart a Course, where card draw comes with an additional decision point. While Chart a Course requires some level of combat engagement for optimal value, Distorted Curiosity instead hinges on your opponent’s spellcasting to maximize its potential.

Comparing it further, we observe Glimmer of Genius, a card known for its scry ability combined with card draw. Glimmer of Genius also offers an energy counter bonus, which can be crucial for certain decks. Distorted Curiosity exchanges this energy aspect for a potentially more substantial card advantage, conditional on the opposing player’s actions during their turn. Another similar spell, Think Twice, presents an option for immediate card draw with a future potential through flashback. Though it guarantees card access, Think Twice lacks the direct scaling card advantage that Distorted Curiosity could yield in a spell-heavy match-up.

Assessing card draw spells in MTG reveals that Distorted Curiosity holds a unique position, adeptly tuned for metagames abundant with noncreature spells, thus allowing savvy players to exploit their opponent’s strategies for card advantage.

Chart a Course - MTG Card versions
Glimmer of Genius - MTG Card versions
Think Twice - MTG Card versions
Chart a Course - MTG Card versions
Glimmer of Genius - MTG Card versions
Think Twice - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Distorted Curiosity by color, type and mana cost

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Déjà Vu - MTG Card versions
Exhaustion - MTG Card versions
Time Ebb - MTG Card versions
Political Trickery - MTG Card versions
Dream Cache - MTG Card versions
Fade Away - MTG Card versions
Undo - MTG Card versions
Tinker - MTG Card versions
Sage's Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Relearn - MTG Card versions
Ingenious Mastery - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Tasha's Hideous Laughter - MTG Card versions
Reminisce - MTG Card versions
Fabricate - MTG Card versions
Counsel of the Soratami - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Distorted Curiosity. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Bant PoisonBant Poison StandardBant PoisonStandard League 2024-01-10
Dimir PoisonDimir Poison StandardDimir Poison15 Day3
Bant ToxicBant Toxic StandardBant PoisonReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 12:00 pm (Bronze)
Dimir ToxicDimir Toxic StandardDimir PoisonDEN24 Sun 10:00 - Standard $5k Open 8-slot RCQ
4c Poison4c Poison Standard4c PoisonStandard Challenge 64 2023-12-31
Dimir ControlDimir Control StandardDimir Poison2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open
Esper AggroEsper Aggro StandardEsper Poison2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Distorted Curiosity comes into play here by granting the owner a significant boost in card access. For players looking to surpass their opponents in hand resources, this card is a staple. It lets you draw a card whenever you cast your second spell each turn, effectively refilling your hand and keeping the momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: This MTG card stands out by not just offering card draw but also amplifying your resources. By drawing additional cards, you’re more likely to hit land drops consistently, enabling you to deploy threats earlier than usual. In the right deck, Distorted Curiosity can lead to a cascade of plays that can swiftly swing the game’s balance.

Instant Speed: One of the undervalued assets of Distorted Curiosity is its ability to be played at instant speed. This flexibility allows savvy players to wait until the last possible moment before the end of their opponent’s turn to cast a second spell, ensuring they get to draw and gain the full benefit of the card. This strategic advantage keeps opponents guessing and maximizes the potential of your plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Distorted Curiosity necessitates that players discard a card as part of its casting cost. This might pose a problem when your hand is nearly empty or if you’re holding onto key pieces for your strategy. Letting go of a valuable card can sometimes be too steep a price for the benefit gained.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement for both blue and red mana makes Distorted Curiosity less flexible regarding deck inclusion. Players running multicolored decks may find it challenging to consistently meet the mana demands, especially in the early game when mana sources are critical. This can potentially make the card a dead draw under strained mana conditions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: This card comes with a tangible mana investment at three mana, one of which must be blue. Within the current meta, there are alternative draw spells that offer similar effects without the discard condition and at a potentially lower cost. This could relegate Distorted Curiosity to a backup role rather than a primary choice for players seeking optimal card advantage.


Reasons to Include Distorted Curiosity in Your Collection

Versatility: Distorted Curiosity is a dynamic inclusion for any deck that aims to extract value over time. Its ability to draw cards whenever the opponent casts their second spell each turn can continuously refill your hand, catering well to strategies that thrive on maintaining card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with other pieces that reward you for drawing additional cards or that penalize your opponents for casting multiple spells. The potential to chain actions and reactions increases with every draw, making it a force multiplier in the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: With a game environment that frequently sees players casting numerous spells per turn, Distorted Curiosity becomes highly relevant. It can turn the tables against spell-heavy opponents, ensuring that you gain a benefit from their actions and substantially swaying the game’s momentum in your favor.


How to beat

Navigating the tricky waters of card advantage can drastically shape the outcome of an MTG match, and Distorted Curiosity is no stranger to creating a tension-filled game state. This spell allows a player to sift through the top cards of their library, enabling a strategic recalibration of their hand. However, when it comes to countering its effects, consider deploying targeted discard such as Thoughtseize or Duress to nip the problem in the bud before the spell is even cast.

Should Distorted Curiosity hit the battlefield, instant-speed removal like Abrupt Decay or instant-speed draw spells such as Opt offer a means to respond directly. These can disrupt the card’s ability to provide advantage or at least mitigate the impact by keeping your own hand full. Additionally, cards that limit hand size, like Narset, Parter of Veils, can erode the benefits Distorted Curiosity confers by restricting the number of cards your opponent will benefit from.

Leveraging these strategies not only limits the utility of Distorted Curiosity but maintains pressure on your opponent. By preparing with answers and maintaining a keen awareness of the match’s flow, you can effectively parry the challenges posed by this crafty card and keep the advantage on your side of the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts eager to refine their gameplay, understanding the intricacies of Distorted Curiosity is crucial. This MTG card offers both promise and challenge, rewarding those who can navigate its double-edged nature. It’s a pivotal choice for any player aiming to craft a deck with an edge in hand resources and burst potential. While its cons are worth considering, its capacity for card advantage can be a game-changer. Ready to optimize your decks and outwit your opponents? Dive deeper with us as we explore advanced strategies and uncover the full potential of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Distorted Curiosity MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Distorted Curiosity and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Distorted Curiosity has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal