Hint of Insanity MTG Card

Hint of Insanity enables card advantage and strategic planning by revealing and potentially discarding opponent cards. Its instant speed allows disruptive plays at critical moments, though it requires careful hand management. The card’s specificity and higher mana cost are notable factors when integrating it into your deck.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Number	143
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Luca Zontini

Text of card

Target player reveals his or her hand. That player discards from it all nonland cards with the same name as another card in his or her hand.

"Practice makes perfect, but obsession makes better."

Cards like Hint of Insanity

Hint of Insanity offers MTG enthusiasts an exciting psychological twist in gameplay, very much like cards aimed at disrupting an opponent’s hand. It’s akin to Thoughtseize, which allows players to peek into an opponent’s hand and choose a nonland card to discard. Although Thoughtseize gives the controller choice, it lacks the potential for multiple card discards that Hint of Insanity can achieve based on the number of cards an opponent holds.

In the realm of hand disruption, we also encounter Duress, which targets noncreature, nonland cards in a similar fashion but without the random element or the potential to hit multiple cards. Both are cheaper in terms of mana cost compared to Hint of Insanity, but the latter can lead to a more impactful swing by hitting multiple threats at once. Additionally, whereas Duress is limited to noncreature cards, Hint of Insanity does not discriminate, potentially impacting any card type.

Reflecting upon these comparisons, Hint of Insanity finds its footing in decks that capitalize on the element of uncertainty and mind games, distinguishing itself by its high-risk, high-reward nature that can destabilize an opponent’s strategic reserves.

Cards similar to Hint of Insanity by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hint of Insanity embodies a potent mechanic for diluting your opponent’s resources while bolstering your own strategic options. It forces an opponent to reveal their hand, potentially discarding a significant number of cards, ensuring that you are one step ahead in the battle of resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though this card doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, by stripping key pieces from your adversary’s arsenal, you effectively fast-track your own game plan. With fewer obstacles in your path, you can unleash your threats and responses more liberally, accelerating your march towards victory.

Instant Speed: The power of acting on information before making pivotal decisions cannot be overstated, and Hint of Insanity’s instant speed allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the most opportune moment. Casting it during their draw step, for example, ensures you have the most current data to inform your choice, amplifying its strategic impact on the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hint of Insanity comes with a discard requirement that could backfire should your hand be already depleted or if the cards held are crucial to your strategy, leading to an unintended self-sabotage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana composition to cast – two black and one of any color. This specificity requires a substantial commitment to black mana sources which may not align with all deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this card is on the higher end for its effect, where alternatives could potentially offer a more impactful play or a more versatile response at a similar or even lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Hint of Insanity in Your Collection

Versatility: Hint of Insanity offers flexibility by fitting into various deck archetypes. Its ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand makes it a valuable addition to any control or discard-focused deck.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies that capitalize on an opponent’s lower hand count, potentially enabling devastating combos with other cards that punish players for having few cards in hand.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where hand size is critical, and players frequently hoard cards, Hint of Insanity can tip the scales in your favor, making it a sound choice for staying competitive.

How to beat

Hint of Insanity is a unique card within the landscape of control and discard effects in Magic: The Gathering. Its power lies in its capacity to potentially eviscerate an opponent’s hand, driving them towards a position of minimal resources. To outmaneuver this spell, keen strategy is essential. One approach involves maintaining a hand with varied card types to minimize Hint of Insanity’s impact. Cards that can be played at instant speed, such as counterspells or flash creatures, allow players to retain a more full grip until the last possible moment, reducing the card’s overall effectiveness.

Another technique is to employ cards that benefit from being in the graveyard, turning a disadvantageous situation to your favor. By including cards with flashback or other recursion abilities, players can ensure that even if Hint of Insanity hits key spells, all is not lost. Additionally, decks that can rapidly refill their hand post-discard, such as those utilizing card draw engines or cycling, can bounce back swiftly, rendering the temporary setback inconsequential.

Ultimately, overcoming the disruptive force of Hint of Insanity involves preemptive deck construction and strategic play, ensuring resilience against the potential wave of psychological warfare it brings to the table.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hint of Insanity MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Hint of Insanity and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hint of Insanity has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-02-01	If you target yourself with this spell, you must reveal your entire hand to the other players just as any other player would.