Gix's Caress MTG Card

Gix’s Caress excels in disrupting opponent strategies by enabling targeted discards at instant speed. Its mana specificity and cost may hinder seamless integration into diverse deck types. Despite challenges, it can serve as a tactical asset in controlling the flow of a game.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set name	The Brothers' War
Set code	BRO
Number	96
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ignatius Budi

Text of card

Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card. Create a tapped Powerstone token. (It's an artifact with ": Add . This mana can't be spent to cast a nonartifact spell.")

"Show me all the delicious misery you've sown."

Cards like Gix's Caress

Gix’s Caress brings a unique twist to the arsenal of control cards in Magic: The Gathering, by offering a way to not only discard a card but also anticipating an opponent’s move. It stands in line with other notable discard spells, such as Duress, which allows for non-creature non-land cards to be plucked from an opponent’s hand at a lower cost but fails to predict or tackle the next draw.

Meanwhile, Thoughtseize is another heavyweight comparison, hitting any nonland card and providing information about the opponent’s hand at the expense of 2 life. Gix’s Caress differentiates itself with the scouting aspect, giving a long-term strategic advantage. Lastly, Inquisition of Kozilek provides a similar disruptive tactic but is limited to cards with low converted mana cost. While it doesn’t foretell subsequent draws or force exile, its cost efficiency is notable.

While Gix’s Caress may not be as widely known, its blend of immediate and future disruption carves a niche in control strategies, balancing immediate impact with longer-term gains. Its intricate playstyle adds layers of depth to the traditional discard mechanisms, particularly valuable for players who like to plan one step ahead.

Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gix's Caress by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gix’s Caress has the potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard cards, thereby providing you with an indirect card advantage. This effect can be particularly powerful in formats where controlling your opponent’s hand can tilt the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resource acceleration, the card’s ability to disrupt the opponent’s resources can indirectly accelerate your position in the game. By hindering their plan, you may gain the upper hand and leverage your resources more effectively.

Instant Speed: The fact that Gix’s Caress can be cast at instant speed makes it a versatile tool in your arsenal. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment to force your opponent to discard, potentially in response to their own draw spells or abilities, maximizing the impact of the card’s effect.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gix’s Caress comes with a caveat that could potentially backfire. It asks you to part with a card, which can seriously impede your gameplay, especially if your hand is already running thin. This condition means that each use is a delicate balance and could lead to a disadvantage if not timed correctly.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the hurdles when integrating Gix’s Caress into your deck is its specific mana cost. Requiring black mana might not synergize well with decks that are not built around it. This can restrict deck-building options and limit its versatility across various MTG playstyles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the benefits Gix’s Caress offers against its mana cost, you might find it wanting. With a cost that’s on the higher end, competitive players often look for alternatives that provide more bang for their buck, or in this case, more impact for their mana. Cards that offer greater utility or more disruptive effects for the same, or less, mana investment are generally preferred.

Reasons to Include Gix’s Caress in Your Collection

Versatility: Gix’s Caress serves as a useful tool in various deck builds. It’s potent in disrupting opponent strategies by forcing card discards while also offering life drain to whittle down opponent health.

Combo Potential: For decks that capitalize on discard mechanics or life loss, this card can be a cornerstone. It synergizes well with abilities that trigger on discard or life changes, creating opportunities for devastating combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where hand advantage is king, Gix’s Caress holds its ground. Its relevance spikes in metas heavy with combo or control decks, where disrupting an opponent’s hand can be game-deciding.

How to beat

Understanding the mechanics around Gix’s Caress is crucial for developing strategies to outmaneuver this particular card on the battlefield. Gix’s Caress can be an unsettling force when it synergizes with a strategy focused on discarding, allowing the controller to slowly whittle down the opponent’s resources. To effectively neutralize the impact of Gix’s Caress, consider incorporating cards that are resistant to discard effects or employ strategies that benefit from having fewer cards in hand.

One tactic is to increase the redundancy of your deck’s functions; this means running multiple cards with similar effects. Thus, even if Gix’s Caress forces a discard, you maintain the ability to execute your game plan. Another approach is to play cards that rapidly refill your hand, offsetting the resource loss. Lastly, in formats that allow it, sideboarding specific cards designed to counteract discard strategies can prove pivotal, turning Gix’s Caress from a threat into a non-issue.

Always be attentive to your hand size and manage your cards wisely. By being proactive and adapting your strategies, the grasp of Gix’s Caress can certainly be loosened, ensuring that your path to victory remains clear.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gix's Caress MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Gix's Caress and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gix's Caress has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2022-10-14	Although all the cards in The Brothers' War that create Powerstone tokens create a tapped Powerstone token, entering the battlefield tapped isn't part of the token's definition. Notably, if you create a token that is a copy of a Powerstone token, the token copy won't enter the battlefield tapped.
2022-10-14	Powerstone tokens are a kind of predefined token. Each one has the artifact subtype "Powerstone" and the ability ": Add . This mana can't be spent to cast a nonartifact spell."
2022-10-14	You can use the added by a Powerstone token on anything that isn't a nonartifact spell. This includes paying costs to activate abilities of both artifact and nonartifact permanents, paying ward costs, and so on.