Lunar Mystic MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 65
2020-04-17 - Number 115
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant spell, you may pay . If you do, draw a card.
"I'm pleased this world has learned the moon affects more than the tides." —Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
Cards like Lunar Mystic
Lunar Mystic’s unique appeal in the realm of Magic: The Gathering is epitomized by its aptitude for enhancing spellcasting strategies. This card bears resemblance to an ensemble of cards that capitalize on instants and sorceries. For instance, take the enchantment prowess of Nivix Guildmage, which also rewards players for casting instant and sorcery spells, providing the advantage of card draw upon a successful cast. Nevertheless, Lunar Mystic stands out due to its automatic trigger, a distinct efficiency that Nivix Guildmage lacks with its activation cost.
Another card worth discussing in context with Lunar Mystic is Murmuring Mystic. While this creature doesn’t facilitate card draw, it provides a creature token for every instant and sorcery cast, which could be more fitting for token-based strategies. Drawn from Dreams is yet another spell that allows a deeper dig into the deck, albeit isn’t reusable like Lunar Mystic’s ability. The comparison intensifies with Melek, Izzet Paragon, who doubles the cast of instants and sorceries from the top of the library, albeit without the draw mechanic.
Between harnessing the power of instant and sorcery spells to cultivate an advantage on the battlefield, Lunar Mystic represents a harmonious blend of immediate card draw tethered to a creature, positioning it as a formidable choice for players orchestrating a spell-oriented deck.
Cards similar to Lunar Mystic by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lunar Mystic grants you the ability to draw additional cards whenever you cast an instant spell, bolstering your hand and providing options that can shift the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: With Lunar Mystic on the field, each instant spell not only progresses your board state but also potentially thins your deck, getting you closer to your key spells and resources faster.
Instant Speed: This card supports a playstyle that thrives on reacting at instant speed, allowing you to optimize your plays in response to your opponents’ actions while maintaining your card advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Lunar Mystic is that you need an instant to cast to leverage its card-drawing ability, potentially causing you to discard valuable cards in hand to maintain a suitable number of instants for triggering its effect.
Specific Mana Cost: Lunar Mystic requires both blue and red mana to cast, making it somewhat restrictive. Decks not running a blue-red combination may struggle to meet the casting requirements without altering their mana base substantially.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including a combination of blue and red, it’s more expensive than other card-drawing options. Deck builders might find it too mana-intensive compared to other utility creatures or card draw spells.
Reasons to Include Lunar Mystic in Your Collection
Versatility: Lunar Mystic offers flexibility in deck building due to its ability to convert instant cards into an opportunity for card draw. This makes it a valuable card for decks that rely on instant speed interactions.
Combo Potential: This card shines in strategies that revolve around casting a high number of instant spells. It can turn into a powerful draw engine combining with spells that untap permanents or reduce casting costs.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors control or flash strategies, Lunar Mystic becomes increasingly relevant. It serves not only as a source of card advantage but also fits seamlessly into the instant-speed play pattern that defines such decks.
How to beat
The Lunar Mystic is an intriguing card, offering a blend of card draw and noncreature spell support in blue-red decks. Playing against this multicolored creature can be challenging due to its ability to turn instants into card-drawing opportunities. To counteract Lunar Mystic’s advantage, a strategic approach is to limit its utility by minimizing the casting of instant spells during your own turns, thus curtailing your opponent’s potential to draw additional cards.
In terms of card removal, consider cards capable of bypassing the Mystic’s four-toughness—spells that deal damage or those that can exile or force a sacrifice without targeting the Mystic, given it may have hexproof or other protective counters. Efficient removal spells in the current meta, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, offer reliable and cost-effective solutions to remove Lunar Mystic from the battlefield before it can generate value for your opponent.
Ultimately, recognizing Lunar Mystic’s potential influence on game tempo and your opponent’s hand is critical. By disrupting their strategy and carefully planning your instants while maintaining removal options, you hinder the Mystic’s impact and maintain a strong stance in the duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lunar Mystic MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Commander 2020, 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 Lunar Mystic 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
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Printings
The Lunar Mystic Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by Wesley Burt.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 65 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt | |
| 2 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lunar Mystic has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lunar Mystic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | The decision to pay is made when the triggered ability resolves. It’s not an additional cost of the instant spell. |
| 2012-05-01 | The triggered ability will go on the stack on top of the instant spell and resolve before it. |