Entropic Specter MTG Card

Forcing opponent discards gives Entropic Specter disruptive power, potentially tipping the game’s momentum in your favor. Playing the specter involves strategic hand management due to its own discard trigger, adding an element of risk. Despite its limitations, Entropic Specter’s hand-control tactics can dominate games, especially in control-focused decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Specter Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	*
Toughness	*
Number	61
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Text of card

Flying Entropic Specter has power and toughness each equal to the number of cards in target opponent's hand. If Entropic Specter damages any player, that player chooses and discards a card.

Cards like Entropic Specter

The Entropic Specter from Magic: The Gathering aligns with a unique group of cards that capitalize on hand disruption tactics. A parallel can be drawn to the notorious Hypnotic Specter, which also exerts pressure on opponents by forcing them to discard at random when it deals damage. However, the Entropic Specter comes with a variable casting cost and an ability that depends on the number of cards in your opponent’s hand, making it an adaptable threat.

Another comparable card is the Blazing Specter. This fiery counterpart combines damage dealing with a mandatory discard effect, though it trades scalability for haste and a fixed four mana cost. Where Blazing Specter excels in immediacy, Entropic Specter offers strategic flexibility, potentially becoming stronger as the opponent’s hand grows.

When you consider the role of disrupting opponents strategies and casting flexibility, the Entropic Specter holds a unique position. It’s a card that can mold itself to the state of the game, becoming a formidable force as it punishes opponents for holding a substantial hand.

Cards similar to Entropic Specter by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Entropic Specter provides a unique advantage by forcing your opponent to discard a card upon entering the battlefield. This not only disrupts your opponent’s hand but also potentially grants you a card advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, Entropic Specter can impair your opponent’s resources. Each discarded card is one less option they have for their turns, indirectly accelerating your position over theirs.

Instant Speed: Although Entropic Specter itself is not an instant, its evasive nature means opponents must always consider the possibility of it attacking. This can lead to them playing more cautiously, reserving mana for removal or threats, effectively giving you an upper hand to play other instant-speed spells more freely.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Entropic Specter comes with a downside as you must have a card in hand to discard whenever it becomes the target of spells or abilities. This mandatory discard can deplete your hand, especially if opponents repeatedly target it, potentially leaving you at a resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Entropic Specter’s casting cost demands both black and generic mana. Its emphasis on black mana aligns it with a specific spectrum of decks, namely those heavily swaying toward or fully committed to black. This can restrict deck-building options and make it a challenging fit in multicolored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning the specter requires a significant investment of four mana, which is sizeable for its abilities. Given the competitive nature of MTG, there are alternatives that may bring similar or better value for the same or less mana, resulting in this card sometimes being overshadowed in deck considerations.

Reasons to Include Entropic Specter in Your Collection

Versatility: Entropic Specter offers a unique flexibility to fit into various deck archetypes. It shines in environments where having different angles of disruption is crucial. Its ability to force discards makes it a strong addition to any control or discard-focused strategy.

Combo Potential: With a synergistic setup, Entropic Specter has the potential to become a relentless nuisance for your opponents. It can be combined with card effects that benefit from opponents discarding cards or with those that reward you for returning creatures to your hand.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where hand advantage is key, Entropic Specter can tilt the scales in your favor. Since it returns to your hand when your opponent has no cards left, it can be a recurring player in the game, helping to maintain pressure and card dominance.

How to beat

Entropic Specter emerges as a unique challenger on the battlefield, posing a persistent threat to opponents in MTG. This shadowy creature, potentially repealing cards from a player’s hand each turn, requires a tactful strategy to overcome. Timing is crucial when facing an opponent wielding this specter. Prioritizing the removal of such creatures swiftly can be a game-changer. Cards that can exile creatures, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, are efficient solutions that leave no trace of the specter to haunt you later.

Another approach is to adjust your play style by holding onto less crucial cards, thus mitigating the impact of the specter’s intimidating ability. Should the specter slip through your defenses, graveyard manipulation spells that shuffle creatures back into the library, like Elixir of Immortality, can dilute its influence and offer a chance to regain footing. Additionally, implementing cards that thrive on having fewer cards in hand, like Hazoret the Fervent, turns the Specter’s detriment into an advantage for you.

Strategy is paramount when dealing with threats like Entropic Specter. Consider your removal options, manage your hand wisely, and remember that sometimes the best defense is a clever offense tailored to the specific menaces you face.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Entropic Specter MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Entropic Specter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Entropic Specter has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Entropic Specter 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	The opponent does not discard a card if all the damage is prevented.
2004-10-04	You choose one opposing player during resolution and it only affects that one player. This choice is not changed even if this card changes controllers. It becomes 0/0 if the chosen player leaves the game.