Index MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 25
2003-07-28 - Number 84
2003-07-28 - Number 84★
2005-07-29 - Number S5
2012-07-13 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Look at the top five cards of your library, then put them back in any order.
"Let's see . . . Mercadia, mercenary, merfolk . . . you know, I really need a better filing system."
Cards like Index
Within the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Index stands out for its ability to manipulate upcoming draws. While not actually drawing cards, it provides knowledge of what’s coming, much like the role of Crystal Ball. Both allow players to strategize by rearranging the top cards of the library, but Crystal Ball requires a mana investment for each use, whereas Index offers a one-time peek at the top five for a single blue mana.
Conversely, Brainstorm also offers a peek into future draws and has an immediate advantage by drawing three cards, albeit with the requirement to put two back on top of the library. The strategic depth here is similar to Index but includes card advantage at instant speed. Ponder also follows suit, providing a means to look at the top three cards and draw one, with the added flexibility of shuffling the library if the cards don’t appeal.
When evaluating Index within its niche, it holds a unique spot. It doesn’t directly offer card advantage but does give a strategic glimpse ahead, making it a tactical choice for players who value foresight over immediate card gain.
Cards similar to Index by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Index card elevates your strategic gameplay by providing a peek at the upcoming five cards. Knowing what’s next allows you to plan and position yourself for advantageous plays, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.
Resource Acceleration: While Index itself doesn’t directly generate mana, by effectively letting you filter the next few draws, you are more likely to hit your land drops or find those key spells that will accelerate your resources much quicker.
Instant Speed: This card operates on an instant timeline, providing a seamless fit into your turn structure. It enables strategic depth by allowing you to optimize the use of your mana each turn and keep up the pressure or defensive capabilities as needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To play an Index card, you may need to discard another card from your hand. This can lead to a loss of valuable hand advantage, particularly if you’re forced to discard a crucial card that could be pivotal for your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Index cards often require a specific type of mana to cast. If your deck is multi-colored or you’re facing a mana base that isn’t sufficiently diverse, it might be challenging to meet the casting requirements when you most need to play the card.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Many Index cards carry a high mana cost relative to their impact on the game. This means that by the time you have enough mana to cast them, opponents may have already established a more formidable board presence, reducing the effectiveness of your Index card.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: An Index card offers the chance to rearrange upcoming draws, making it adaptable for strategies reliant on situational awareness and deck manipulation.
Combo Potential: When used in conjunction with shuffle effects or scry mechanics, Index cards deepen control over your deck’s output, potentially tipping the scales in your favor during critical turns.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment fluctuates, an Index card’s ability to set up pivotal plays becomes an asset, particularly when facing decks that capitalize on consistency and precise execution.
How to Beat Index Mtg Card
Index Mtg Card provides players with the opportunity to manipulate upcoming draws by taking a sneak peek at the top five cards of their library. This card doesn’t draw additional cards but offers valuable information to orchestrate future moves more effectively. Against this strategic enhancer, players should aim at shuffling the opponent’s library to disrupt their plan. Using shuffle effects triggered by cards like Fabled Passage or Field of Ruin can offset the advantage gained by Index.
Additionally, cards like Thoughtseize can be utilized to dismantle the opponent’s strategy by forcing a discard of key indexed cards, thereby neutralizing their preparation. Counter-strategies can also involve the use of instant-speed card draw or library manipulation to ensure that the Indexing process doesn’t yield a significant tactical lead. This enables players to keep the playing field level and maintain the element of surprise, all the while rendering Index less potent.
When facing an opponent utilizing Index Mtg Card, a mix of strategic library shuffling, hand disruption, and maintaining resource parity can effectively invalidate the foresight provided by this subtle yet potentially game-changing card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Index MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Eighth 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 Index 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
Printings
The Index Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 25 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 84 | 2003 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 84★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | S5 | 2003 | Normal | White | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Index has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |