Mastermind's Acquisition MTG Card


Provides tactical advantage by allowing choice of any card from deck or outside the game. It enriches deck building, facilitating key card access and strategic gameplay. The spell’s cost and color requirements influence deck composition and tempo.
Mastermind's Acquisition - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Number77
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Text of card

Choose one — • Search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library. • Choose a card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand.

Another piece of a nefarious puzzle.


Cards like Mastermind's Acquisition

Mastermind’s Acquisition offers a versatile toolkit for Magic: The Gathering players, reminiscent of the fabled Demonic Tutor. Both cards allow a player to search their library for any card, granting a significant strategic advantage. The key difference lies in Mastermind’s Acquisition’s additional ability to choose a card from outside the game, a tantalizing option for players with a well-prepared sideboard.

Diabolic Tutor also shares the core concept of fetching a card from one’s deck, but it lacks the external fetching ability and the reputation of Demonic Tutor. Mastermind’s Acquisition stands out because of its dual search capability, albeit at an identical mana cost to Diabolic Tutor. Scheming Symmetry is another comparable spell, offering a search function at a much lower cost, with the balance being that the opponent also gets to choose a card, adding an element of risk and reward.

Taking stock of these comparisons, it’s clear that Mastermind’s Acquisition carves out its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a dynamic and flexible tutor card. While each of these tutors fulfills a role, the Acquisition’s breadth and impactful choice between in-game and out-of-game resources mark it as a standout for strategic deck builders.

Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Scheming Symmetry - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Scheming Symmetry - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Mastermind's Acquisition. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari ScapeshiftGolgari Scapeshift PioneerGolgari ScapeshiftPioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-17
Jund ScapeshiftJund Scapeshift PioneerJund ScapeshiftPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-30 (1)
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-09 (1)
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday Night Magic
Mono-Black CoffersMono-Black Coffers ModernMono-Black CoffersModern League 2024-04-01
Lotus Field ComboLotus Field Combo PioneerHidden StringsHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Sultai Some Brand of CerealSultai Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Sultai Show and TellSultai Show and Tell Sultai Show and TellThe Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #002
Dimir Show and TellDimir Show and Tell OtherThe Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #002

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mastermind’s Acquisition offers a valuable choice to search your library for a card or to choose a card from outside the game, bolstering your hand with pivotal resources. This flexibility lets you adapt to the battlefield and strategize several steps ahead, keeping your play dynamic and unpredictable.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling you to fetch any card, it essentially accelerates your access to key pieces of your strategy without depending on the luck of the draw. Whether you need a land to complete your mana base or a crucial spell, this card cuts down the time to get what you need.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Mastermind’s Acquisition benefits from being playable at sorcery speed during your main phase, giving you the undivided attention to analyze the board and make an informed decision without the pressure of reacting instantaneously to your opponent’s moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mastermind’s Acquisition does not require discarding as an additional cost, but it does require a significant level of strategy to ensure you benefit from the search without losing momentum. Failing to find the right card for your situation can tilt the game away from your favor, especially if you’re already behind on resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires one black mana and three of any other color, which might not be as restrictive, but still limits the inclusion mostly to decks that are running black or have a way to generate black mana. This demand for black mana can thus influence your deck building and mana fixing strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including the mentioned requirement for black mana, Mastermind’s Acquisition’s cost is considered high for its effect, particularly when you compare it to other tutoring options in the game. This can sometimes slow your play tempo, especially in the early turns where mana resources are crucial for establishing board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mastermind’s Acquisition is a powerful spell that offers unparalleled flexibility. Similar to having a Swiss Army knife in your deck, it allows you to choose from an array of tactics mid-game, fetching any card from your library or a card from outside the game in casual formats.

Combo Potential: Players keen on concocting devastating combinations will find this card an asset. It enables retrieval of missing combo pieces directly into your hand, streamlining the route to a game-winning board state.

Meta-Relevance: In evolving metas where adaptability can mean the difference between victory and defeat, the adaptability of Mastermind’s Acquisition keeps it perpetually relevant. It empowers players to counter emerging threats by strategically selecting the perfect answer or threat when it’s most needed.


How to Beat Mastermind’s Acquisition

Mastermind’s Acquisition is a versatile card in the world of MTG, as it allows a player to choose a card from their deck or from outside the game to put into their hand. It’s a powerhouse in the right setup, granting unparalleled access to a player’s full arsenal. To effectively counter this card, denial and disruption strategies are key.

Counterspells are your first line of defense. A well-timed “Counterspell” or “Dovin’s Veto” can prevent Mastermind’s Acquisition from resolving and protect the equilibrium of the game. Discard effects can also be potent, stripping it from an opponent’s hand before they get the chance to cast it. Tools such as “Thoughtseize” or “Duress” are thus excellent preemptive measures.

If Mastermind’s Acquisition does resolve, graveyard manipulation cards like “Surgical Extraction” can remove key cards targeted by the Acquisition’s ability from the game. Enchantment removals like “Disenchant” can handle cards like “Omniscience,” which are often fetched to create a game-ending combo. Remember, timing and knowledge of your opponent’s deck are crucial when aiming to subvert the strategies made possible by Mastermind’s Acquisition.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastermind’s Acquisition can be a strategic game-changer for MTG enthusiasts looking to make the most out of every match. Its versatility and power to seek out the perfect card mean that having it in your arsenal could be the difference between victory and a near miss. Whether you’re reinforcing your mana base, hunting for a combo piece, or adapting to emerging threats, this card gives you a significant edge. If you’re eager to expand your tactical play and optimize your deck with a card that can adapt to any situation, you shouldn’t overlook Mastermind’s Acquisition. Dive deeper into how you can leverage this dynamic card by joining us to enhance your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mastermind's Acquisition MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Mastermind's Acquisition and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mastermind's Acquisition has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mastermind's Acquisition 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 In a casual game, a card you choose from outside the game comes from your personal collection. In a tournament event, a card you choose from outside the game must come from your sideboard. You may look at your sideboard at any time.
2018-01-19 There are many important moments in the story, but the most crucial—called “story spotlights”—are shown on cards. These cards have the Planeswalker symbol in their text box; this symbol has no effect on gameplay. You can read more about these events in the official Magic fiction at http://www.mtgstory.com.