Eyes of the Beholder MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 101
2022-07-07 - Number 154
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature gets -11/-11 until end of turn.
In the end, there was nothing beautiful to be seen.
Cards like Eyes of the Beholder
Eyes of the Beholder joins the ranks of targeted removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. A quick comparison might be drawn with Doom Blade, a classic and efficient staple for creature elimination. Doom Blade, though less expensive at two mana, can’t target black creatures, which Eyes of the Beholder can for the additional mana cost. This illustrates the premium placed on versatility in creature removal.
Another analogous card is Murder, costing the same in mana but without the restriction against black creatures, it offers the same utility as Eyes of the Beholder. Where Eyes of the Beholder stands out is in its ability to not only destroy a creature but also to give its controller two life. This can be a boon or a calculated downside based on your strategy. Lastly, there’s Terminate, which mixes affordability with no color restrictions. However, it lacks the life-gain effect and belongs to a different color pairing than Eyes of the Beholder.
Each card presents its own advantages, and Eyes of the Beholder fits a specific niche with its inclusion of life gain, despite its higher cost and sorcery speed, it might be the right pick for decks that benefit from both creature control and incremental life gain.
Cards similar to Eyes of the Beholder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When casting Eyes of the Beholder, you directly alter the board state by neutralizing a critical threat. This shift can tilt card parity in your favor by dealing with an opponent’s key creature, potentially leading to a card advantage as your opponent loses a valuable resource.
Resource Acceleration: While Eyes of the Beholder itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, it can remove an opponent’s creature that might be hindering your own resource growth. By eliminating blockers or attackers, your pathways to mana development and board presence can stay clear.
Instant Speed: Eyes of the Beholder’s ability to be played at instant speed grants you the flexibility to adapt to your opponent’s moves. You can wait until the optimal moment—perhaps in response to an opponent’s action or at the end of their turn—to use this spell, thus keeping your strategy hidden and maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Eyes of the Beholder is that it does not require discarding as an additional cost, setting it apart from spells that may leverage card advantage as part of their cost.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific mana requirement of two black mana, which can be a challenge to meet in a multi-color deck that isn’t heavily invested in black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana to cast, Eyes of the Beholder’s utility is hampered in faster-paced games where lower-cost removal spells can achieve similar outcomes at a fraction of the cost.
Reasons to Include Eyes of the Beholder in Your Collection
Versatility: Eyes of the Beholder is a spell that can be a game-changer in a variety of deck archetypes. Whether you’re running control or a more mid-range setup, the ability to eliminate a problematic creature without concern for its size is a universal benefit.
Combo Potential: With a spell like Eyes of the Beholder, players can set up powerful removal combos. Combining it with instant-speed card draw or spell-copying effects can lead to a clear board and expectations for what will come next from your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that values big creatures, having a removal like Eyes of the Beholder can be essential. It’s particularly relevant when the meta is populated with decks that rely heavily on singular, high-cost creatures to dominate the game.
How to beat
Eyes of the Beholder is an intriguing piece of removal in Magic: The Gathering, often compared with numerous other spells capable of neutralizing formidable creatures on the board. Its strength lies in its ability to remove virtually any creature, regardless of its power or toughness, making it a reliable answer to your opponent’s threats. However, its notably high mana cost means that it can impact your ability to develop a board presence if used too early.
When facing Eyes of the Beholder, timing is critical. Utilizing low-cost creatures and spells that excel at maintaining board control can pressure your opponent before they amass enough mana to cast this powerful spell. Employing an aggressive strategy, one can significantly disrupt an opponent’s game plan, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of their removal tools.
Ultimately, understanding the resource investment required for Eyes of the Beholder is crucial in strategizing a response. By deploying swift threats and keeping mana open for countermeasures, players can render this removal spell less daunting. Efficient use of resources ensures you stay ahead, making Eyes of the Beholder less of a game-changer and more of a manageable component of your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Eyes of the Beholder MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Eyes of the Beholder and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Eyes of the Beholder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Kari Christensen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 101 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kari Christensen | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 154 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kari Christensen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Eyes of the Beholder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |