Mary O'Kill MTG Card
Text of card
{BR}: Switch a Killbot or Mary O'Kill in your hand with one on the battlefield. (If a creature is tapped, the switched creature is tapped. The same is true for untapped, attacking, blocking, enchanted, equipped, and targeted. Any counters on a creature are on the switched creature instead.)
Cards like Mary O'Kill
Mary O’Kill is a distinct card in MTG with a unique blend of abilities that make her stand out in the commander echelon. She can be likened to Norin the Wary, who is also known for dodging danger by being elusive and returning back to the battlefield. Mary O’Kill’s ability to exchange places with Killbots from your hand, however, provides an intriguing tactical layer similar to the flicker effect, albeit with a quirky twist that fits the Un-set’s humorous theme.
Much like Mistmeadow Witch, which can exile another creature only to return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control, Mary O’Kill’s swapping mechanism can be used both defensively and offensively. Whereas Mistmeadow Witch requires mana investment each time, Mary O’Kill’s switch is cost-free, limited only by the availability of Killbots in your hand. The tactical opportunities are vast, affording a player the chance to dodge targeted removal or surprise blockers.
Assessing MTG’s broad array of quirky and powerful commanders, Mary O’Kill definitely carves her unique niche. Her ability to fluidly react to the battlefield and manipulate creature positioning provides a novel approach not widely available, embodying the creative and unexpected spirit of the game.
Cards similar to Mary O'Kill by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mary O’Kill offers a unique advantage by allowing you to swap out Killbots you control with other Artifact creatures from your hand, circumventing the casting process. This not only puts more creatures on the battlefield but can also surprise your opponents with unexpected plays.
Resource Acceleration: The swap ability of Mary O’Kill can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. Even though it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it allows the faster deployment of your Artifact creature arsenal, effectively accelerating your game plan and board presence without additional mana expenditure.
Instant Speed: The ability to exchange Killbots or other Artifacts at instant speed provides enormous strategic flexibility. You can react to your opponents’ moves, create blockers out of nowhere, or set up favorable trades or synergies, all at the pace of the game’s most immediate interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mary O’Kill demands you to discard another card when you activate her ability. This can deplete your hand rapidly, especially if your deck isn’t built to capitalize on discarding or graveyard strategies, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Mary O’Kill requires a precise blend of mana colors, including both red and black. If your deck isn’t properly configured to produce these colors reliably, you could find her stuck in your hand without the means to play her onto the field.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands a total of five mana, including two of which must be red and black, Mary O’Kill’s mana cost is relatively steep. While her ability to switch with cards in your hand is unique, the cost is notable, and there may be scenarios where deploying her doesn’t align with an optimal mana curve strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mary O’Kill offers dynamic gameplay, able to switch on the fly with any Killbots on the battlefield or in your hand. This adaptability can throw off opponents and change the tide in creature-focused decks.
Combo Potential: With an arsenal of Killbots at her disposal, she opens up various synergistic plays. Her ability lets you capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or surprise blocks, leveraging each Killbot’s unique abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly shifting MTG landscape, having a card like Mary O’Kill can help combat decks that rely on targeted removal or controlling the board state, as her swapping mechanic keeps the opponents guessing.
How to beat
Mary O’Kill presents a unique challenge in the Magic: The Gathering landscape due to her ability to switch places with Killbots in your deck. This means standard removal spells may not guarantee to keep her off the battlefield. To reliably counter this elusive commander, consider utilizing mass-removal spells that clear the entire board, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, preventing the Killbot substitution from triggering.
Exile-based removal spells such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can be instrumental in dealing with Mary O’Kill, as they bypass her swapping ability. Additionally, graveyard disruption tactics, including the use of cards like Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus, can prevent the typical recursion strategies associated with Mary and her Killbots, giving you lasting control over the match.
Lastly, limiting the number of creatures on your opponent’s board with spells like Culling Scales or through continuous creature removal can diminish the effectiveness of Mary O’Kill’s ability. By keeping her alternatives limited, you enhance your ability to manage the board state effectively, offering a strategic edge over this quirky yet formidable adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mary O'Kill MTG card by a specific set like Unstable and The List (Unfinity Foil 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 Mary O'Kill 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 Mary O'Kill Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-12-08 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-12-08 | Unstable | UST | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Simon Dominic | |
| 2 | 2022-10-07 | The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) | ULST | 50 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Simon Dominic |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mary O'Kill card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | For all intents and purposes, the exchanged card is taking the place of the original card. Whatever its doing, the state it’s in, whatever’s attached to it—all of it stays the same. It’s as if Mary O’Kill or one of the Killbots pulls off a mask to reveal they were actually the other one all along. Diabolical! |
| 2018-01-19 | Killbot is a creature type. There are several Killbots in the Unstable set. |
| 2018-01-19 | You can activate Mary O’Kill’s ability if it is in your hand. |