Keeper of the Mind MTG Card


Keeper of the Mind - Exodus
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Released1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set nameExodus
Set codeEXO
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number36
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatthew D. Wilson

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants selective card advantage, optimizing draws to contend with the current board situation.
  2. Enables resource acceleration by scrying, aligning draws with strategic mana curves.
  3. Instant speed capability provides reactive play options, maintaining a tactical edge.

Text of card

o U, oc T: Draw a card. Play this ability only if target opponent has at least two more cards in hand than you.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keeper of the Mind facilitates greater control of your hand by enabling selective card draws during your upkeep. This ensures you get valuable cards to address the current board state and progress your game plan efficiently. It’s a reliable way to incrementally pull ahead of your opponent in the number of useful cards available to you.

Resource Acceleration: This card aids in progressing your mana pool through the scry mechanic, essentially accelerating your resources. By deciding which cards remain on top of your library, you set up for potential draws that align with your mana curve and overall strategy, keeping your deck running smoothly and conveniently.

Instant Speed: The abilities offered by Keeper of the Mind can be activated at instant speed, giving you room to react to your adversary’s moves with impeccable timing. This adaptability allows you to make use of your unused mana efficiently and make decision right at the decisive moments, steering the game in your favor while keeping your opponents guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Keeper of the Mind demands that you discard a card to utilize its ability. This can be a significant disadvantage, especially when your hand is already running thin on valuable cards. Strategically, this puts you at a loss of card advantage which is crucial in many games.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of mana colors to be cast. It necessitates both blue and black mana, which may not be readily available in all types of decks. This specific mana cost can limit the card’s versatility and restrict it to only certain deck archetypes, potentially impacting its overall usefulness in your MTG arsenal.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To get Keeper of the Mind into play, you need to invest a relatively high cost in mana. For the same cost, there are alternative cards that could offer more immediate board presence or effects that might better impact the game state. This can make Keeper of the Mind seem like a less than optimal choice when weighing mana efficiency against the benefits it provides.


Reasons to Include Keeper of the Mind in Your Collection

Versatility: Keeper of the Mind shines in a variety of blue-based decks. Its ability to sift through the top cards of your library ensures you have access to the spells you need when you need them, making it a solid choice for control or tempo strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks that manipulate the top of the library. It works exceptionally well with cards that care about drawing or revealing specific card types, enabling powerful interactions and potentially game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where game knowledge and card selection are key, Keeper of the Mind offers consistent value. Its place in your deck can give you an edge against opponents, making it a smart inclusion for those looking to adapt to and overcome the latest competitive trends.


How to Beat Keeper of the Mind

Keeper of the Mind is a unique card that can become problematic if it remains unchecked on the battlefield. This creature card stands out with its ability to enhance card selection, potentially conferring a significant advantage to your opponent. Facing it requires a strategy that disrupts this benefit without sacrificing your own game progression.

Targeted removal spells are a straightforward solution to deal with Keeper of the Mind. Spells such as Murder or Doom Blade can eliminate this creature for a low mana cost, allowing you to maintain tempo in your favor. It’s critical to address this threat swiftly, ideally before your opponent can capitalize on the card selection Keeper of the Mind offers them.

Another approach involves countering the spell before it even hits the table. With counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak at your disposal, you can prevent the caster from gaining any advantage from their card. Remember, keeping mana open to respond to threats is part of playing a control strategy effectively.

Ultimately, a blend of removal and counterspells, blended with sharp timing, can neutralize Keeper of the Mind, restricting the strategic depth it brings to your opponent and keeping the game state favorable for you.


Cards like Keeper of the Mind

Keeper of the Mind is an intriguing card that offers strategic advantage in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other cards like Arcanis the Omnipotent, which also grants card advantage. Arcanis, however, has a higher mana cost but provides an unconditional draw of three cards. Keeper of the Mind can offer recurring advantage but requires you to control a blue creature to draw cards, making the setup slightly more complex.

Another counterpart is Jace’s Sanctum, which also celebrates the spirit of the color blue with cost reduction for instants and sorceries, and card drawing capabilities. Even though Jace’s Sanctum doesn’t need a creature to activate, its scatter shot approach to card drawing when casting a blue spell might not match the consistent yield Keeper of the Mind may produce.

To sum up, while these cards share the blue mage’s delight in card drawing, Keeper of the Mind attracts those who appreciate reliability and a potentially lower mana investment over time. Its distinctive requirement speaks to deck builders who enjoy synergizing around creature presence and the steady accumulation of card advantage in the long game.

Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Jace's Sanctum - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - Onslaught (ONS)
Jace's Sanctum - Magic Origins Promos (PORI)

Cards similar to Keeper of the Mind by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lord of Atlantis - Wizards Play Network 2024 (PW24)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Soratami Cloudskater - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keeper of the Mind 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 Keeper of the Mind and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keeper of the Mind has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keeper of the Mind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2009-10-01 A different opposing player may be targeted each time the ability is activated.
2009-10-01 It is only necessary that the condition be true as you activate the ability. The ability will still resolve normally even if the condition is no longer true at that time.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks