Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery MTG Card
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Land |
| Abilities | Investigate,Transform |
| Released | 2019-12-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Secret Lair Drop |
| Set code | SLD |
| Number | 609 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ravenna Tran |
Key Takeaways
- Havengul Laboratory allows for card advantage and unexpected plays with its instant-speed abilities.
- It offers a unique form of acceleration by turning your graveyard into an extended hand.
- Despite its utility, it requires careful deck construction to mitigate the discard and mana cost.
Text of card
: Add . , : Investigate. (Create a colorless Clue artifact token with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.") At the beginning of your end step, if you sacrificed three or more Clues this turn, transform Havengul Laboratory.
"Today, we make history. Today, we make contact." —Dr. Martin Brenner
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Havengul Laboratory’s ability to churn through your library and potentially put multiple creatures into play stands out as a substantial card advantage tactic. This not only fills your board but also keeps your hand stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: The unique mechanic of Havengul Laboratory enables your deck to experience a form of resource acceleration that bypasses certain mana restrictions. It’s an efficiency boon, letting you use your graveyard as a resourceful extension of your hand.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Havengul Laboratory shines at instant speed, allowing for surprise plays and adaptive strategies in the midst of combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn. It is this reactivity and flexibility that can tip the scales in a tightly contested match-up.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Havengul Laboratory is the discard requirement. To unlock its potential, players must discard a card, which could deplete an already limited hand. In moments where every card counts, the cost of discarding may outweigh the benefits provided by this card.
Specific Mana Cost: Havengul Laboratory demands a specific mana arrangement to be cast. This can be a stumbling block, especially in decks that run multiple colors. The need for precise mana can lead to situations where the card remains stuck in hand, unused at crucial moments in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost of casting Havengul Laboratory, it becomes apparent that it’s on the higher end for its effects. This can hinder its inclusion in fast-paced decks that favor lower mana curves. Players might find alternatives that offer similar benefits without such a steep mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Havengul Laboratory offers adaptability by enabling graveyard-based strategies. Whether you’re enhancing a reanimator deck or simply looking for more utility, this card gives you that edge.
Combo Potential: With the right combination of creatures and spells, Havengul Mystery becomes a powerhouse. Its synergy with self-mill strategies or cards that profit from graveyard manipulation can lead to game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of graveyard interaction in current metagames, having Havengul Laboratory in your arsenal can turn the tides against opponents who underestimate the power of the graveyard. This card aligns well with decks that thrive on incremental advantage and long-game dominance.
How to beat
Overcoming Havengul Laboratory in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic depth and understanding of its dual nature. This crafty card can transform from its initial laboratory side into the game-altering Havengul Mystery, which demands a key approach. When faced with the dormant laboratory, the key is to disrupt the graveyard. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can eliminate the graveyard as a resource, hindering its transformation into Havengul Mystery.
Once it becomes Havengul Mystery, direct intervention is needed. Artifact removal spells become your go-to solution to dismantle its transformed state. Consider incorporating Naturalize or Krosan Grip in your deck to swiftly remove it from play. Alternatively, employing counterspells such as Dovin’s Veto to negate Havengul Laboratory or its activation can foil your opponent’s plans before they unfold.
Swift action and tactical knowledge are paramount, as Havengul Laboratory’s true strength lies in its mystery side, providing recurring value if left unchecked. Ensuring your deck has preemptive measures or immediate answers can secure your victory against this adaptable threat.
Cards like Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery
Havengul Laboratory is an intriguing card that adds depth to Magic: The Gathering’s array of utility lands. It’s similar to Alchemist’s Refuge, which also allows you to play nonland cards as though they had flash. However, Havengul Laboratory’s unique offering rests in its combined relevance to creature-centric decks, unlocking the potential to cast creatures from your graveyard during your turn.
Another card to consider is Nephalia Drownyard, which shares a thematic link with Havengul Laboratory, focused on graveyard interaction. Though Drownyard excels in self-mill for reanimation strategies, Havengul Laboratory provides direct graveyard utility without setting up for a separate reanimation spell. Additionally, there’s Witch’s Cottage, a land that retrieves creatures from your graveyard to the top of your library. This card takes a more conservative approach compared to Havengul Laboratory’s immediate cast capability.
Assessing the scope of available options, Havengul Laboratory prominently positions itself as a valuable asset for graveyard strategies in Magic: The Gathering, carving a niche for players seeking instant access to their creature arsenal from beyond the grave.
Cards similar to Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop, 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 Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Havengul Laboratory // Havengul Mystery has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |