Mask of Riddles MTG Card


Mask of Riddles grants fear and card draw on combat damage, enhancing attack strategies. Limited to blue and black mana decks, it’s less versatile but highly synergetic. It’s essential to strategize around its equip cost for maximum efficiency.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature has fear. Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card. Equip


Understanding Mask of Riddles

Exploring the depths of equipment cards in MTG, Mask of Riddles emerges as an intriguing artifact that elevates gameplay. Equipable to any creature, it bestows Fear and the powerful ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. This card slots perfectly into decks that aim to sneak in for direct damage while ensuring a steady flow of card advantage.

Cards like Mask of Riddles

Mask of Riddles finds its place among other MTG cards that meld combat with card draw. Whispersilk Cloak, for instance, offers not just unblockable to a creature but also shroud, preventing it from being the target of spells or abilities. However, it lacks the immediate card draw feature, a subtle yet significant difference for maintaining hand momentum. Then there’s Rogue’s Gloves, which, much like Mask of Riddles, rewards the player with a card for successful combat damage, though it does not offer the evasion tactic provided by Fear.

Another comparable artifact, Sword of Fire and Ice, provides not only card draw but also direct damage and protection from two colors. While it carries a more considerable cost and equip requirement, the additional benefits can be game-changing, highlighting the importance of context when assessing equipment choices.

Mask of Riddles shines in its unique balance of evasion and card advantage, carving its niche within the MTG arsenal for tactical players aiming to outmaneuver and outdraw opponents.

Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Rogue's Gloves - MTG Card versions
Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Rogue's Gloves - MTG Card versions
Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mask of Riddles equips a creature with the power to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. This effect enhances your ability to sustain a strong hand throughout the match, potentially turning every attack phase into an opportunity to pull further ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Mask of Riddles does not directly produce additional mana or tokens, the ability to consistently draw more cards can indirectly accelerate resources. A fuller hand gives you a wider array of options, increasing your chances to play the right cards at the right time.

Instant Speed: The equipping action itself isn’t instant speed, but the advantage gained works flawlessly with creatures that have flash or with surprise combat tricks. The immediate draw upon dealing damage means you can potentially utilize new resources at instant speed, giving you flexibility and maintaining pressure on your opponent’s strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One stipulation to activate Mask of Riddles’ benefits is the necessity to pitch another card from your hand. This could potentially be a setback if your hand is already depleted or if you’re holding onto critical pieces for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana, Mask of Riddles is somewhat restrictive in its deck compatibility. This makes it less versatile and perhaps difficult to cast on time in a deck not heavily invested in these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an equip cost of two mana, it demands a significant investment before reaping any rewards. This can slow down your tempo, especially when facing opponents using more mana-efficient alternatives for card advantage and equip abilities.


Reasons to Include Mask of Riddles in Your Collection

Versatility: Mask of Riddles is a unique equipment card that can be included in various deck archetypes. With its ability to confer fear and card draw upon dealing combat damage, it turns any creature into a more significant threat and a source of card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies focused on unblockable creatures or those that emphasize combat damage triggers. Its combo potential increases in decks that use evasion to ensure consistent damage to opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where direct removal is abundant, having an equipment card that can keep your hand replenished is key. It maintains relevance by helping to recover after a board wipe or removal spell, ensuring you continually have options in your hand.


How to beat

Mask of Riddles is a unique artifact that can become an essential tool for any player adept at utilizing equipment cards in MTG. Providing equipped creatures with fear ensures they are virtually unblockable except by artifact creatures and/or those sharing a color. Furthermore, the card draw ability when a creature deals combat damage can significantly increase the user’s resources, giving them a consistent advantage.

To counteract Mask of Riddles, consider strategies that neutralize the card’s benefits. Utilize artifact removal spells, like Naturalize or Disenchant, to dispatch the Mask before its effects can snowball. Another tactic is to reduce the number of potential attackers through board control spells or to lock down the battlefield with effects that prevent creatures from attacking or block them regardless of abilities, such as Ensnaring Bridge or cards with the “Reach” ability.

Ultimately, while Mask of Riddles can be a formidable asset for your opponent, its impact is not without counterplay. Maintain a focus on control and removal tools in your deck to ensure that you can wrestle back the momentum, even when faced with such powerful equipment. By considering these strategies and preparing accordingly, the Mask’s riddles will be no conundrum for you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mask of Riddles can be a key inclusion in MTG decks that thrive on sustained card advantage and evasive assault. Its ability to confer fear and prompt card draw is advantageous in the right context, collaborating seamlessly with creatures that can dodge defensive lines. Whether working to refine your current build or exploring new strategies, delving deeper into the tactical uses of such equipment cards is essential. If you’re intrigued by distinct card synergies or wish to learn more about deck optimization, our insights might just be your next strategic edge. Embrace the challenge, and let’s unlock the full potential of your MTG collection together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mask of Riddles MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and New Capenna Commander, 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 Mask of Riddles and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mask of Riddles Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-04-30Alara RebornARB 252003NormalBlackMatt Cavotta
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3472015NormalBlackMatt Cavotta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mask of Riddles has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mask of Riddles card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2009-05-01 If a Mask of Riddles you control somehow winds up equipping a creature you don't control, Mask of Riddles's triggered ability will still trigger whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player (even if that player is you). You will control that ability, so you may draw a card.