Head Games MTG Card

Head Games creates strategic disruption by customizing an opponent’s hand and impeding their game plan. Sorcery timing is crucial, allowing players to set up advantageous board states against the opponent. The card’s utility in control decks and meta relevance make it a unique tool for manipulation.

Onslaught (ONS)
2002-10-07 - Number 155

Tenth Edition (10E)
2007-07-13 - Number 148

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Target opponent puts the cards from his or her hand on top of his or her library. Search that player's library for that many cards. The player puts those cards into his or her hand, then shuffles his or her library.

Cards like Head Games

Head Games is an intriguing card that allows a player to craft a new hand for their opponent. This ability is reminiscent of cards like Jester’s Mask, which provides a similar level of control over an opponent’s available resources. However, while Jester’s Mask places selected cards into the opponents’ hand from their library, Head Games takes the creative disruption further by allowing the controlling player to fetch any cards from that opponent’s deck and shape their hand almost entirely.

Another card in the conversation is Thoughtseize, which, although targets just one card, gives you the chance to extract key pieces from your opponent’s hand, potentially disrupting their strategy early on. Thoughtseize is less of a strategic hammer than Head Games but operates as a more precise scalpel. Moreover, Head Games’ potential to overhaul an opponent’s hand differentiates it from the pinpoint disruption found in cards like Cabal Therapy, which also targets specific cards in an opponent’s hand but requires prior knowledge or a guess to hit the intended mark.

In essence, Head Games stands out among MTG cards for providing a level of psychological warfare and strategic depth. Players must weigh the cost against the unmatched capability to manipulate the opponent’s options and possibly turn the tide of the game.

Cards similar to Head Games by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Head Games offers a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to choose the exact cards your opponent will have in their hand. This not only disrupts their strategy but also can effectively remove potential threats from their deck.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana base, the power of Head Games lies in its capacity to decelerate your opponent’s resources. By carefully selecting cards that are less immediately useful to them, you effectively slow down their gameplay, providing you with an indirect form of acceleration as you continue to develop your board unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Although Head Games is a sorcery, it capitalizes on being played at a moment where your opponent is most vulnerable, setting the stage for your next turn. This timing can be as critical as the instant speed of a spell, especially when combined with other instants and flash abilities you may hold in reserve.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While playing Head Games, you need to discard another card. This requisite might strain your hand, especially if you need to maintain a certain number of cards for strategy execution or combat effectiveness.

Specific Mana Cost: Head Games asks for a precise combination of three black mana, which can be restrictive. Deckbuilders will need a dedicated mana base to reliably cast it, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-black or heavily black-aligned decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including the specific color requirements, Head Games can be resource-intensive. Considering its targeted, rather than comprehensive, effect on an opponent’s hand, other cards might achieve similar or broader disruptive effects with less investment.

Reasons to Include Head Games in Your Collection

Versatility: Head Games offers a unique toolbox capability, allowing players to craft their opponent’s next hand. This makes it a suitable choice for control decks that want to manipulate the opponent’s options, ensuring your strategy is not disrupted.

Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where knowing your opponent’s hand is critical. It can be paired with discard effects or cards that punish the opponent for holding too many cards, creating a devastating combo that can dismantle your opponent’s game plan.

Meta-Relevance: With a shifting competitive scene, a card like Head Games can become a silver bullet against certain deck types. It’s particularly effective against strategies that rely heavily on specific combo pieces or having the right answers at the right time, making it a tactical addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

Head Games is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering that allows players to tap into psychological warfare by controlling an opponent’s hand. Dealing with this card requires strategic play and a thorough understanding of the available counters and strategies within the game.

To effectively combat Head Games, consider utilizing instant-speed disruption such as counter spells or hand disruption of your own to prevent the card from resolving. Keeping up mana for counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak when you suspect your opponent has Head Games in hand can be crucial. Alternatively, hand disruption such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can preemptively remove Head Games from your opponent’s grip before they have a chance to play it.

Moreover, instant-speed draw spells like Opt or Brainstorm can also help you dig for answers or adjust your hand in response to your opponent targeting you with Head Games. This way, even if they attempt to force you into a tough situation, you have the resources to adapt quickly. In essence, staying one step ahead and maintaining versatility in your response options are key to overcoming the challenge posed by Head Games.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Head Games MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Tenth 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 Head Games and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Head Games Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Terese Nielsen.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2002-10-07	Onslaught	ONS		155	1997	Normal	Black	Terese Nielsen
2	2007-07-13	Tenth Edition	10E		148	2003	Normal	Black	Terese Nielsen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Head Games has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal