Mind Maggots MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Insect
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	66
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Key Takeaways

Strategic board impact through opponent’s forced discard, affecting game tempo and advantage.
Constraint of specific mana aligns its use to particular deck types, limiting versatility.
Its ability’s relevance and combo potential make it a strong contender for deck inclusion.

Text of card

When Mind Maggots comes into play, choose and discard any number of creature cards. For each card discarded this way, put two +1/+1 counters on Mind Maggots.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mind Maggots offers an immediate impact on the board by enticing an opponent to discard, which can lead to a subtle shift in who holds the advantage. Over time, this can translate into a powerful disparity in card options and strategic depth.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Mind Maggots card itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, causing your opponent to discard potentially crucial resources can indirectly boost your own pace by setting them back. This gives you a better chance to stay ahead on the board.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Mind Maggots might not have the versatility that instant speed spells offer. Nevertheless, the very act of playing Mind Maggots forces your opponent to act prematurely or in less ideal conditions, which is a strategic advantage akin to the flexibility often afforded by instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Mind Maggots’ ability necessitates discarding a card, which might deplete your hand when you need to keep answers or threats at the ready.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a precise mana alignment to cast, specifically two black mana. That could potentially strain mana resources in a multicolored deck, limiting its inclusion in diverse strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that offers the effect of causing the opponent to discard, the mana investment is significant. In formats where efficiency is key, there may be other creatures or spells that disrupt the opponent’s hand at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mind Maggots offers strategic value across various deck builds. What stands out is its ability to disrupt opponents by forcing the discard of critical cards, which can be advantageous whether you’re playing aggressively or controlling the board.

Combo Potential: As a creature that interacts with the opponent’s hand, Mind Maggots can be a key component in decks focusing on discard strategies. It syncs well with cards that benefit from the number of cards in an opponent’s graveyard or those that penalize an opponent for discarding.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that has a high emphasis on hand quality and strategy, Mind Maggots proves to be a relevant choice. It’s especially effective against decks that rely heavily on combo pieces or specific cards to win, making it a card worth considering based on the current competitive landscape.

How to beat

The Mind Maggots card introduces a unique tactic into the MTG landscape, enticing players to force card sacrifices from their opponents. The ability to deplete an opponent’s hand gives this creature a psychological edge, as the affected player must weigh which cards are expendable. Despite its strategic advantages, conquering Mind Maggots hinges on keen timing and strategic resource management.

Addressing the threat of Mind Maggots effectively requires a preemptive approach. Having instant removal spells at the ready can neutralize them before their ability triggers, thereby preserving your valuable cards. Alternatively, maintaining a hand with expendable cards can minimize the impact of their entrance on the battlefield. Additionally, playing cards with graveyard-recursion abilities allows you to mitigate the loss of discarded cards by bringing them back into play or your hand.

Ultimately, while Mind Maggots can be a disruptive force, understanding its mechanics and preparing your deck with the right countermeasures can transform a potential setback into a strategic opportunity, allowing players to maintain control over the game’s flow and their own assets.

Cards like Mind Maggots

Mind Maggots emerges as a creature card with unique dynamics, akin to other entrants in the realm of control and disruption in MTG. This card can slot into strategies similar to Mesmeric Fiend, which also has the ability to temporarily exile an opponent’s card from their hand when it enters the battlefield. Unlike Mind Maggots, Mesmeric Fiend doesn’t offer the same level of power and toughness but it serves a similar purpose of information and resource denial.

Brain Maggot provides another interesting comparison; it brings a similar hand-disruption effect, though with a persistent exile as long as it remains on the battlefield. Both Brain Maggot and Mind Maggots affect the opponent’s game plan, yet Mind Maggots offers a more robust presence in terms of combat potential. Tiago Chan’s Invitational card, Snapcaster Mage, might not seem closely related but offers a different type of hand manipulation by granting instant or sorcery cards in your graveyard flashbacks, indirectly affecting both players’ hands.

Each of these cards provides unique pros and cons, but Mind Maggots holds its own with its blend of deceivingly impactful hand disruption and the physical threat it poses on the board in MTG. Its versatility in gameplay makes it a distinctive choice for decks focusing on controlling opponents’ options.

Cards similar to Mind Maggots by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mind Maggots 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 Mind Maggots and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Maggots has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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