Magus of the Mind MTG Card
2016-11-16 - Number 65685
2017-08-25 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
, , Sacrifice Magus of the Mind: Shuffle your library, then exile the top X cards, where X is one plus the number of spells cast this turn. Until end of turn, you may play lands and cast spells from among cards exiled this way without paying their mana costs.
"I'll show you what you truly desire."
Cards like Magus of the Mind
Magus of the Mind draws strong parallels with cards that unlock vast strategic potential in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to Mind’s Desire, where both offer a chance at casting spells without paying their mana costs. Nevertheless, Magus of the Mind requires a board presence and thus introduces an additional layer for setup. Mind’s Desire, conversely, hinges solely on storm count, representing a different kind of risk and reward.
Another related card is Narset’s Reversal, which reflects the element of control and surprise, yet it limits the caster to a single instant or sorcery already on the stack. Magus of the Mind, with its ability to flip several cards from the deck, provides a broader sawtooth wave of possibilities. Yawgmoth’s Will is another classical comparator, granting access to the graveyard rather than the library, implying a prearranged palette of spells as opposed to Magus’s unabridged promise of the unknown.
When evaluating the wide landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Magus of the Mind holds an esteemed position among cards that bend the normal casting rules, appealing to players who appreciate the thrill of potential over an assembly of predetermined outcomes.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unveiling the Magus of the Mind card offers a potent source of card advantage, as it allows you to potentially cast multiple spells from your library in a single turn. This can swiftly tilt the scales in your favor by gaining access to more options and resources than your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Playing Magus of the Mind can lead to resource acceleration in your matches. Even though the card itself doesn’t directly produce mana, the ability to cast spells from your library without paying their mana costs can free up your resources for other strategic plays or surprise responses during the game cycle.
Instant Speed: The Magus of the Mind’s ability may not inherently be at instant speed, but it interfaces beautifully with cards that allow you to gain such a benefit. This grants you the liberty to respond to your adversary’s moves with a potentially game-changing set of spells. Imagine setting off a flurry of spells at the end of your opponent’s turn; this unpredictability can be a devastating tactic. When supported by instant-speed enablers, the surprise element of Magus of the Mind becomes a key strategic advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Magus of the Mind demands a unique form of cost: you must sacrifice it as well as pay its activation cost to unleash the potential of your deck’s top cards. This not only removes a creature from your play but also could deplete your resources at a crucial moment.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast this card, you must pay a specific combination of blue and generic mana. This requires a well-tuned mana base, which may deter players who prefer more flexible and less color-restricted spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost plus its initial casting cost, Magus of the Mind’s total investment could be seen as steep. This may discourage players, especially when other options to manipulate or draw cards are available for a lower investment, offering a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Magus of the Mind offers a unique versatility to blue-based decks, allowing you to cast numerous spells from any player’s library during a single turn. Its ability to unlock a variety of game-changing plays makes it a flexible addition to different deck archetypes, ranging from control to combo decks.
Combo Potential: Magus of the Mind thrives in environments where you can set up the top of your library with powerful spells or manipulate opponents’ decks. Coupled with cards that shuffle the library or generate extra mana, it has the potential to turn the tide of the game in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with strategies that rely on building a formidable board state or assembling key pieces for combos, Magus of the Mind serves as a powerful tool. It can often outmaneuver opponents by using their own strategies against them or finding the perfect answer from any library at a crucial moment.
How to beat
Magus of the Mind, drawn from the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s vast card pool, unfolds as a doorway to potential victory with its powerful ability to cast spells without paying their mana costs. A kin to the iconic card Mind’s Desire, Magus of the Mind steps onto the battlefield prepared to unleash a flurry of spells from your deck. Ensuring this powerful blue creature doesn’t turn the tide requires a combination of preemptive control and swift elimination.
Key strategies involve maintaining a robust defense against Magus of the Mind’s activation. Disruption spells like Counterspell or Thoughtseize can intercept this sorcerer before its ability activates. Should the Magus hit the field, timely removal spells such as Path to Exile or Terror are critical for promptly dispatching it. It’s also essential to limit the spells the Magus can access by applying graveyard management tactics, making spells like Relic of Progenitus or Leyline of the Void valuable tools. Considering these approaches, one can navigate the challenges posed by Magus of the Mind and preserve the stability of their own game plan.
With sharp timing and a well-chosen arsenal, players can dismantle the threat of Magus of the Mind, leaving the path to victory clear from the unexpected turns that this MTG card could otherwise orchestrate.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Mind MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Magus of the Mind 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 Magus of the Mind Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by John Stanko.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 65685 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Stanko | |
| 2 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Stanko |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Magus of the Mind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magus of the Mind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-08-25 | Any of the cards you don’t play will remain in exile. |
| 2017-08-25 | If no spells have been cast in the turn you activate Magus of the Mind’s ability, X is one. |
| 2017-08-25 | If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2017-08-25 | If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card. |
| 2017-08-25 | You may play a land exiled this way only if you have an available land play this turn. |
| 2017-08-25 | You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions for cards you cast this way. |