Grinning Totem MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 303
1999-04-21 - Number 288
2006-10-06 - Number 110
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, oc T, Sacrifice Grinning Totem: Search target opponent's library for any card and put it face up in front of you. That player shuffles his or her library afterwards. You may play the card as though it were in your hand. If you do not play the card by the beginning of your next upkeep, put it into its owner's graveyard.
Cards like Grinning Totem
Delving into the unique inventory of artifacts within Magic: The Gathering, Grinning Totem stands out for its tricky ability to pilfer from opponents’ decks. In the same league, we have Praetor’s Grasp, which shares the stealing concept yet goes a step further by allowing you to cast the stolen card using mana of any color. While Grinning Totem requires the card to be played using its original mana cost and only during your next turn.
Another artefact, the Cranial Archive offers a distinct approach for deck interaction by enabling players to shuffle their graveyard into their library. Unlike Grinning Totem, Cranial Archive focuses on self-recursion instead of opponent deck disruption. Jester’s Cap is also in the conversation; it allows you to see an opponent’s deck and exile three cards of your choice, setting up potential game-winning situations, whereas Grinning Totem allows for a single card to be played, with more restrictive conditions.
In the realm of unique effects and strategic depth that Magic: The Gathering artifacts provide, Grinning Totem might not have the flexibility of casting the stolen cards like Praetor’s Grasp, or the broad deck manipulation like Jester’s Cap. However, it offers a niche appeal for strategic players who relish the chance to momentarily adopt their rivals’ strengths.
Cards similar to Grinning Totem by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Grinning Totem enables you to search an opponent’s library, selecting a card to be played at a time of your choosing. This gives you direct access to additional options that wouldn’t ordinarily be available within your own deck, enhancing strategic depth and versatility during gameplay.
Resource Acceleration: Using the Grinning Totem can lead to a form of indirect resource acceleration by allowing you to deploy an opponent’s threats or resources for your own gain. Effectively, you’re expanding your own pool of possibilities, tapping into an opponent’s deck for spells that could accelerate your winning strategies.
Instant Speed: The utility of Grinning Totem’s ability can be executed at instant speed, meaning you can end your turn with untapped mana, keeping your options open. This affords you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves, potentially disrupting their strategies with a newly acquired spell from their deck at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Grinning Totem demands a sacrifice of the card itself after it’s used. While its unique ability allows you to disrupt your opponent’s library, the totem’s one-time use means you’ll have to part with it, potentially losing out on future strategic plays or card synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: Being a card that requires a specific setup of four generic mana, its integration can be a little tricky for decks that are heavily color-committed or that operate on a strict mana curve. The precise mana cost can slow down the tempo for decks that need to stay ahead of the curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to activate Grinning Totem’s ability is substantial when compared to other cards in its category. This can be particularly challenging in fast-paced games where deploying threats or responding with answers is crucial, and spending six mana to potentially disrupt an opponent may not be the most efficient use of resources.
Reasons to Include Grinning Totem in Your Collection
Versatility: Grinning Totem offers a unique ability to temporarily exile cards from an opponent’s deck, allowing for strategic card denial or capitalizing on your opponent’s strengths. It’s flexible enough to fit into various deck strategies that aim to disrupt the opponent’s game plan.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can lead to powerful interactions in decks that exploit cards from opposite libraries or benefit from manipulating exile zones. The potential for combining with cards that capitalize on opponents’ resources further enriches its strategic depth.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where knowing and utilizing the contents of an opponent’s library could tip the scales, Grinning Totem’s ability to access and cast spells that are normally out of reach can be incredibly impactful. Its relevance increases in formats where specific cards can define an opponent’s strategy or the overall meta.
How to Beat Grinning Totem
Grinning Totem is one of those quirky artifacts circulating in the world of Magic: The Gathering that can throw a curveball in a match. It allows you to snatch a card from your opponent’s library, potentially disrupting their strategy. To effectively counter this, you’ll need to be keen on timing and deck construction.
One tactic is to have instant-speed removal ready to go. Your goal would be to destroy the Totem before it activates, which requires mana. Cards like Disenchant or Nature’s Claim can be perfect for quickly dispatching the pesky artifact. Another is to play proactively and use your own hand disruption spells or effects, like Duress or Thoughtseize, to remove it from your opponent’s hand before it even hits the board.
Moreover, quicken your pace and reduce the Totem’s value by refining your deck to minimize single high-impact cards, decreasing the chance Grinning Totem will significantly disrupt your game plan when it does resolve. Always remember, adaptation and foresight are key – anticipate the artifact’s arrival and prepare to neutralize its grin before it turns into a full-on smile at your expense.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Grinning Totem MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Grinning Totem 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
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Printings
The Grinning Totem Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 303 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 288 | 1997 | Normal | White | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 110 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Grinning Totem has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grinning Totem card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-09-25 | The exiled card is played using the normal rules for timing and priority for its card type, as well as any other applicable restrictions. You’ll have to pay its mana cost. The only thing that’s different is you’re casting it from the Exile zone. |
| 2006-09-25 | You may choose to find any kind of card, including a land. You must exile a card (unless the opponent’s library is empty); you can’t fail to find anything. |
| 2006-09-25 | “Until the beginning of your next upkeep” means the effect wears off as soon as your next upkeep starts. Your last chance to play the card is usually the End step of the player who immediately precedes you. |