Mask of the Schemer MTG Card


Mask of the Schemer excels in providing consistent card advantage and shaping your hand effectively. Instant-speed interactions with this card allow for tactical plays and increased flexibility in-game. The card demands careful management of resources, including careful alignment of mana types.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Connive,Equip

Text of card

Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, it connives X, where X is the amount of damage it dealt to that player. (Draw X cards, then discard X cards. Put a +1/+1 counter on that creature for each nonland card discarded this way.) Equip


Cards like Mask of the Schemer

Mask of the Schemer brings a unique flavor to Magic: The Gathering, providing players with a mix of card advantage and deck manipulation. When comparing it to other cards, we can look at Crystal Ball, which also peeks at and manipulates the top of the library. Though Crystal Ball requires mana for each activation, Mask of the Schemer operates from a different angle, taking advantage of the fortell mechanic to set up future plays with potential cost reduction.

Analogous to Mask of the Schemer in the aspect of card selection is Sensei’s Divining Top. This iconic artifact allows players to look at the top three cards of their library anytime, but it’s the difference in cost and approach that distinguishes them. While the Top can be used repeatedly but offers no innate cost reduction for spells, Mask of the Schemer rewards players for planning ahead with fortell.

Considering these comparisons, Mask of the Schemer carves out its niche in MTG. It encourages strategic forethought and can lead to turns where the mana saved via its cost reduction effect can be pivotal, thus marking its territory in the realm of library and hand management artifacts.

Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Sensei's Divining Top - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Sensei's Divining Top - MTG Card versions

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Etherium Spinner - MTG Card versions
Mindlink Mech - MTG Card versions
Proteus Staff - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Wizard Replica - MTG Card versions
Chronatog Totem - MTG Card versions
Sarcomite Myr - MTG Card versions
Master of Etherium - MTG Card versions
Skill Borrower - MTG Card versions
Esperzoa - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Strix - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Insight - MTG Card versions
Neurok Replica - MTG Card versions
Trespassing Souleater - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Implement of Examination - MTG Card versions
Watchful Automaton - MTG Card versions
Portal of Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Midnight Clock - MTG Card versions
Icebind Pillar - MTG Card versions
Etherium Spinner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mask of the Schemer is designed to enhance your grip on the game through continuous card advantage. Each clause in its text nudges you closer to sculpting the perfect hand for any given situation.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact doesn’t just tweak your hand, but also your mana pool. By fine-tuning your resources each turn, it sets a smooth path for you to cast more spells sooner than your opponent expects.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Mask of the Schemer lies in its interoperability at instant speed. This allows you strategic flexibility, ensuring you can adapt to the ebb and flow of the game without skipping a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mask of the Schemer asks players to part with another card in their hand when casting it. This trade-off can be particularly costly when you’re trying to maintain options or when every card in hand is crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: To activate Mask of the Schemer, not only do you require generic mana, but you must also have access to blue mana. This necessity can be restricting, especially in multicolor decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activation cost bundled with the need for precise mana types makes Mask of the Schemer a considerable early-game investment. When mana efficiency is key, players may find more versatile or impactful plays at a lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include Mask of the Schemer in Your Collection

Versatility: Mask of the Schemer offers adaptability in deck building, allowing players to manipulate the library with scry, ensuring that the right cards come at the right time. This adaptability makes it a suitable fit for a variety of deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with strategies that revolve around the top of the library or graveyard manipulation. Its ability to synergize with cards that care about the types of cards in the graveyard can unlock powerful combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where knowledge is power, the continuous scry provided by Mask of the Schemer keeps you one step ahead of opponents, making it a relevant tool in today’s ever-evolving competitive scene.


How to beat

Mask of the Schemer has emerged as a tricky card to confront in Magic: The Gathering. As a unique equipment artifact, it provides a notable edge by allowing its controller to play with the top card of their library revealed and cast it if it’s a creature card. This can create a continuous flow of creatures, ramping up the pressure on opponents.

One tactic to counter Mask of the Schemer is to manage the battlefield effectively. Creature removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can swiftly disrupt the opponent’s strategy by dealing with creatures as they are cast. Another strategy involves targeting the artifact itself with disenchant effects, like Naturalize or Disenchant, to remove Mask of the Schemer from the game and quell the advantage it provides.

Disruption through hand attack spells also plays a critical role. By forcing the opponent to discard, you can strip away their creature cards before they get the chance to cast them with Mask of the Schemer. Thoughtseize and Duress are excellent examples of such spells that could turn the tide of the game by disturbing the opponent’s planned plays.

Counterbalance Mask of the Schemer’s influence by staying ahead in card advantage, maintaining control of the board, and disrupting your opponent’s hand and artifact strategies. With wise play and the right tactics, this potent artifact can be overcome, keeping your path to victory clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Mask of the Schemer demands a blend of strategic foresight and resource management in MTG. Its capacity to continuously shape your hand and mana resources can turn the tides of any match in your favor. Yet, savvy players must balance its benefits against the initial costs. Whether you’re tweaking your deck to incorporate Mask of the Schemer’s strengths or developing counter strategies, the depth of gameplay this card introduces is immense. Eager to understand its intricacies and refine your strategy? Dive deeper with us and discover new pathways to claim victory on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mask of the Schemer MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander 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 the Schemer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mask of the Schemer Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by James Paick.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 282015NormalBlackJames Paick
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1292015NormalBlackJames Paick

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mask of the Schemer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 Connive X is a variant of connive. If a creature connives X, its controller will draw X cards, discard X cards, then then put a number of +1/+1 counters on the conniving permanent equal to the number of nonland cards discarded this way.
2022-04-29 If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to connive but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still connives. If you discard a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything. Abilities that trigger “when
-hat creature] connives” will trigger.
2022-04-29 If no card is discarded, most likely because that player's hand is empty and an effect says they can't draw cards, the conniving creature does not receive a +1/+1 counter.
2022-04-29 Once an ability that causes a creature to connive begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the conniving creature after you discard a nonland card but before it receives a counter.