Obsessive Astronomer MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 152
2022-01-28 - Number 152
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Enables strategic deck filtering, turning a potential downside into a setup for game-changing plays.
- Restrictive casting cost may limit its use in multicolored decks not focused on red mana.
- Its low cost and ability to draw cards make it a valuable addition in strategic decks.
Text of card
If it's neither day nor night, it becomes day as Obsessive Astronomer enters the battlefield. Whenever day becomes night or night becomes day, discard up to two cards, then draw that many cards.
"Sleep? I can sleep when I'm dead!"
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Obsessive Astronomer gameplay shines with its ability to let players filter through their deck. By enabling a player to draw and then discard a card, it sets the stage for strategic planning and maintaining a hand that can respond to the unfolding game.
Resource Acceleration: This card plays a pivotal role in red-based decks looking to accelerate their resources. The discarding aspect may seem like a downside, but in reality, it can be harnessed to fuel graveyard strategies or synergize with mechanics like madness, thus turning a potential deficit into a considerable advantage.
Instant Speed: While the card itself does not operate at instant speed, it opens doors for plays at instant speed. By refining the hand at any turn, a player can ensure that they’re holding up instant-speed interaction or end-of-turn tricks to keep opponents on their toes, all thanks to the astronomer’s diligent study.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Obsessive Astronomer demands that you discard a card to activate its ability. This could potentially deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage, particularly if you are already struggling to maintain card advantage on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: The Astronomer requires a specific mana combination to cast – one red and one of any color. This can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into multicolor decks that don’t heavily feature red mana or have access to mana fixing tools.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/2 creature, Obsessive Astronomer might be considered costly, especially when looking at other cards in the same mana range that could provide you with immediate impact or have more versatile abilities.
Reasons to Include Obsessive Astronomer in Your Collection
Versatility: Obsessive Astronomer offers an edge in decks that capitalize on discarding and drawing cards. Its ability to filter through your deck can be a significant advantage in ensuring you get the cards you need when you need them.
Combo Potential: This card shines in strategies that revolve around discarding cards, such as madness or reanimator decks. Its ability to discard at will allows players to set up their graveyard for powerful synergies or enable madness triggers for added benefits.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where hand manipulation is key, Obsessive Astronomer can play a pivotal role. Its low mana cost and the immediate impact make it a dynamic addition that can quickly alter the flow of the game, making it a useful card in various strategies. It aligns well with gameplay where information and the right resources spell victory.
How to beat
Dealing with the Obsessive Astronomer on the battlefield can be challenging for even seasoned Magic: The Gathering players. This card makes use of its ability to discard and draw, keeping hand resources fresh while digging for more influential cards. It’s a constant cycle that can quickly overwhelm opponents who are not prepared with the right strategy.
To counter the Obsessive Astronomer, it’s crucial to disrupt the card’s core mechanics. Consider utilizing instant-speed removal to get rid of the Astronomer before it can start its card-drawing engine. Spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be highly effective at this. You can also limit the card advantage gained by the player by applying graveyard hate through cards like Relic of Progenitus or Leyline of the Void, stifling the benefit of their discard strategy.
On another note, you may also play around their strategy using counter spells to prevent the Obsessive Astronomer from resolving in the first place, such as Dovin’s Veto or Negate. By keeping the Astronomy under control, you maintain the pace of the game and prevent your opponent from snowballing into a winning position with their unrelenting search for the perfect hand.
Cards like Obsessive Astronomer
The Obsessive Astronomer shines within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, bearing resemblance to other cards that capitalize on discarding. A notable parallel can be drawn with the card Magmatic Channeler. While both creatures thrive on discarding a card for a potential advantage, the Magmatic Channeler does demand a spell-heavy deck to maximize its value.
Another comparable card is Thraben Inspector which, although doesn’t involve discarding, provides a clue token that later translates into card draw, much like the Astronomer’s ability to draw a card at the next upkeep when a card is discarded during your turn. The Inspector comes at a lower cost and offers a body on the battlefield but lacks the repeatable potential card draw of the Obsessive Astronomer.
Looking at yet another Mystic Archaeologist, players benefit from outright card draw with enough mana without the prerequisite of card discarding. However, the upfront mana investment is higher compared to the proactive card filtering provided by the Obsessive Astronomer. Upon comparing game mechanics and strategic value, the Obsessive Astronomer holds promise in decks aiming for consistent card advantage and graveyard strategies, situating itself as a solid choice among MTG creatures with discard synergy.
Cards similar to Obsessive Astronomer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Obsessive Astronomer MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt 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 Obsessive Astronomer 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Obsessive Astronomer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 152 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 152 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Obsessive Astronomer 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Obsessive Astronomer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | Before a player untaps their permanents during the untap step, the game checks to see if the day/night designation should change. |
| 2021-09-24 | Day and night are designations that the game itself can have. The game starts as neither. Once the game becomes day (or less commonly, night), the game will be exactly one of them—day or night—going back and forth for the rest of the game. |
| 2021-09-24 | For more information about Day and Night and the Daybound and Nightbound abilities, please see the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Mechanics atricle (https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/innistrad-midnight-hunt-mechanics-2021-09-02). |
| 2021-09-24 | If a triggered ability triggers whenever day becomes night or night becomes day, it only triggers if it was already either day/night and becomes the other. It does not trigger when the game becomes day or night for the first time. |
| 2021-09-24 | If it is day, and the active player of the previous turn cast no spells during their turn, it becomes night. |
| 2021-09-24 | If it is night, and the active player of the previous turn cast two or more spells during their turn, it becomes day. |
| 2021-09-24 | You may choose to discard no cards when the Obsessive Astronomer's triggered ability resolves. |
