Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 9
2022-01-28 - Number 276
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Disturb,Transform |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Transforming ability facilitates board control, similar to amassing additional resource management options.
- Instant-speed transformation of the card offers strategic surprise pivotal in disrupting opponent tactics.
- Mana specificity and discard requirements may pose deck-building challenges, affecting its versatility.
Text of card
Whenever Distracting Geist attacks, tap target creature defending player controls. Disturb (You may cast this card from your graveyard transformed for its disturb cost.)
"I never did enjoy studying."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The transformation ability of Distracting Geist into Clever Distraction allows players to continuously tap potential threats, which could lead to advantageous board states. Managing opponents’ creatures effectively is akin to drawing into more control, making each turn more potent as you dictate the pace of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Distracting Geist doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it indirectly contributes to resource management by helping maintain control of the board. This can result in saved resources otherwise spent on removals or defenses, essentially escalating your capacity to play pivotal spells sooner.
Instant Speed: Flipping Distracting Geist to its backside, Clever Distraction, can be done at instant speed, offering the element of surprise. The quick shift can considerably disrupt an opponent’s strategy, especially during combat phases or when they least expect a creature’s abilities to change, impacting their plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction requires the strategic forethought of discarding a card. This stipulation can be restrictive, especially during late-game scenarios where hand size might be diminished, forcing players to make potentially detrimental decisions to their game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction involves specific colors that may not seamlessly integrate into multi-color decks. This can pose a challenge when constructing decks that rely on a diverse color pie, possibly requiring a reconsideration of mana bases or inclusion of additional mana-fixing cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined mana value for its front and back that leans on the higher side, players might find its cost-to-benefit ratio lacking in comparison to other options. Resource allocation is key in MTG, and there are cards that may offer similar effects or greater versatility for a lower investment, potentially relegating Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction to a less optimal choice within certain strategies.
Reasons to Include Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction in Your Collection
Versatility: Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction offers a unique flexibility. As a creature, it can apply pressure early on, and once transformed into Clever Distraction, it can disrupt your opponent’s battle plans, making it a valuable asset in a variety of deck builds.
Combo Potential: This card is capable of enabling combos by tapping potential blockers, clearing the way for your bigger threats to attack, or it can serve as a tactical piece in decks that capitalize on creatures being tapped or untapped.
Meta-Relevance: With a format that favors quick, evasive creatures, Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction finds its place. It’s especially powerful in environments where controlling combat scenarios is key to securing victory, making it a relevant pick for your deck.
How to beat
Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction is a unique card that creates a challenging situation in many games. This card not only taps a target creature but leverages its transformed side to chip away at your opponent’s strategies by limiting their blockers. Overcoming this ghostly nuisance requires strategic play and keen awareness of the battlefield. Removal spells are your best friends here: consider instant-speed options like Fatal Push or Path to Exile which can eliminate the Geist before it becomes a problem.
Counterspells are also key in negating the Geist’s impact. By keeping mana open, you can anticipate and counter the spell when your opponent casts it, stopping its effects before they even begin. Building a sideboard with versatile answers is vigilant; consider enchantment removal if the game progresses to Clever Distraction. Cards like Naturalize can destroy the enchantment, freeing your creatures to block as needed. Keeping pressure on your opponent can also prevent them from freely attacking and transforming their Geist, keeping the balance of the game in your favor.
Remember, tempo is crucial when facing Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction. By managing your resources effectively and maintaining board control, you can mitigate the card’s influence and keep the upper hand in your duels.
Cards like Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction
Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as being both a creature and a transformational card with the ability to hamper an opponent’s strategies. However, similar cards like Geist of the Archives offer a different tactical advantage by focusing on card selection rather than tapping creatures. While the Distracting Geist proposes an aggressive gameplan by limiting blockers, Geist of the Archives enhances your ability to sculpt your hand every turn.
Conversely, Cloaked Siren adds another dimension, providing immediate impact with flash, allowing for surprise blocks or attacks. Though it doesn’t tap opposing creatures, the flexibility of being a flash flyer can be crucial in many situations. Then you have Bygone Bishop, which doesn’t tap opponents’ creatures but rather rewards you with Clue tokens upon casting small creatures, focusing on resource accumulation over time.
These comparisons shed light on the unique positional benefit that Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction offers. It gives players looking to stay on the offensive a meaningful tool, making it a prized option for those crafting tempo-oriented decks that aim to keep opponents on their heels.
Cards similar to Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction 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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Printings
The Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Andrew Mar.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 9 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Andrew Mar | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 276 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Andrew Mar |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Distracting Geist // Clever Distraction card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | Distracting Geist's triggered ability can only target a creature controlled by the player you are attacking with Distracting Geist, even if other creatures you control are also attacking other players. This is also true for the ability of the creature enchanted by Clever Distraction. |