Idle Thoughts MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2008-07-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eventide |
| Set code | EVE |
| Number | 23 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steven Belledin |
Text of card
: Draw a card if you have no cards in hand.
Inspiration strikes the uncluttered mind.
Cards like Idle Thoughts
In the realm of card filtering in Magic: The Gathering, Idle Thoughts presents a unique twist. This enchantment card echoes the nuances of other familiar MTG cards like Thassa’s Ire or Merfolk Looter. Like Idle Thoughts, these cards enable a player to manipulate their hand, but the methods and outcomes differ significantly. Thassa’s Ire allows for repetitive untaps, giving players the flexibility to use creatures or artifacts multiple times within a turn while Merfolk Looter provides a reliable way to draw and discard each turn.
However, Idle Thoughts stands apart with its reliance on the number of cards in an opponent’s hand, adding a layer of strategy. It’s akin to a more passive version of Folio of Fancies, where instead of dictating the pace, you benefit from opponents’ hand sizes. The key to maximizing Idle Thoughts lies in the ebb and flow of gameplay, making it a potential powerhouse in scenarios where adversaries are holding onto a full grip of cards.
When comparing these cards side by side, Idle Thoughts may not provide the immediate payoff of Thassa’s Ire or Merfolk Looter, but in the right deck and situation, it can offer consistent card advantage, matching or even surpassing the utility of its counterparts.
Cards similar to Idle Thoughts by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Idle Thoughts offers the potential to gain card advantage by allowing you to draw a card for each card your opponent has in hand more than you—perfect for catching up when you’re behind.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resources, the card’s advantage mechanic can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by giving you access to more cards and thus more options to execute your strategy efficiently.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Idle Thoughts at instant speed provides strategic flexibility, letting you react to your opponent’s moves and maximizing your mana usage at the end of their turn if you haven’t needed to respond immediately.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Idle Thoughts requires a discard each turn to keep it on the battlefield, which can strip away valuable hand resources in a game where each card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: It demands a very particular blue mana cost that might not seamlessly fit into multicolored deck strategies, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana cost for its effect, players might find it less appealing compared to other card draw or disruption options available for a lower investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Idle Thoughts offers a unique dynamic to decks that capitalize on card advantage. As an enchantment that fills your hand during upkeep, it fits seamlessly into control and combo archetypes looking for consistent draw power.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that punish your opponents for having a full hand or benefit from the number of cards you have. It can be a vital piece in decks that use hand size to deal damage or gain life.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the game pace is slower and more about accruing value over time, Idle Thoughts shines. It aligns well with decks that aim to win through incremental advantage and those that can protect it long enough to reap its benefits.
How to beat
Idle Thoughts presents a unique challenge for players navigating the cerebral landscape of Magic: The Gathering matches. As a card that rewards players for maintaining a minimal hand size, it becomes imperative to approach it with a strategy that disrupts this equilibrium. Ensuring that your hand is consistently filled with cards is an effective tactic against Idle Thoughts. Employing card draw engines or spells that replenish your hand size swiftly can counter the advantage provided by Idle Thoughts.
Strategy also plays a pivotal role; playing your spells judiciously and maintaining a healthy hand count can deter your opponent from capitalizing on Idle Thoughts. In addition, seeking opportunities to remove Idle Thoughts from play with targeted enchantment removal or overwhelming the board with threats forces the Idle Thoughts wielder to respond, thus reducing their hand size and mitigating the card’s potential impact on the game.
Importantly, staying conscious of the board state and adapting your gameplay to pressure opponents into card disadvantage are key when facing down Idle Thoughts. The card presents a distinctive test of adaptability and resource management, challenging players to rethink their conventional game tactics in the shifting landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Idle Thoughts MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Idle Thoughts 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Idle Thoughts has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Idle Thoughts card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | You can activate the ability whether or not you have any cards in your hand. However, you’ll draw a card only if your hand is empty when the ability resolves. (This card works differently than the _Tempest_(TM) card Fool’s Tome.) |