Memory Leak MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Cycling |
| Released | 2020-04-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths |
| Set code | IKO |
| Number | 95 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Karl Kopinski |
Text of card
Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from that player's graveyard or hand and exile it. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
"By halves does youth depart. I remember halves of names, halves of years, halves of myself." —Ogaro, wandering sage
Cards like Memory Leak
Memory Leak stands out in the realm of disruption spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterparts such as Thoughtseize and Duress also focus on derailing opponents’ plans. However, Memory Leak offers a unique flexibility by allowing you to target cards in hand, graveyard, or even cycling itself away for card replacement, at the expense of one additional colorless mana compared to the aforementioned spells.
In terms of strategic applications, Agonizing Remorse represents a close relative, permitting players to exile a card from hand and graveyard with the added benefit of being able to see your opponent’s entire hand, providing valuable information. While Inquisition of Kozilek is another relative, it lacks Memory Leak’s graveyard interaction and cycling option, though it boasts a lower casting cost.
Considering these comparisons, Memory Leak finds its niche as a versatile spell that can influence the game at multiple stages and under varied circumstances. Its ability to cycle adds another layer of utility, offering deck fluidity that is less common among its disruption spell peers.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Memory Leak enables you to look at an opponent’s hand and thus gain valuable information about their possible moves. This insight can lead to a significant advantage as you can tailor your strategy with this knowledge in mind.
Resource Acceleration: If cycled, Memory Leak allows you to draw a card, thus accelerating your own resources while disrupting your opponent’s game plan. This puts you a step ahead in finding the key pieces for your strategy.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Memory Leak shines at instant speed, providing the flexibility to act on your opponent’s turn. This allows for reactive play, enabling you to decide the most opportune moment to disrupt their hand or cycle for a new card.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Memory Leak requires players to discard another card. This is particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted or if the card you’re forced to discard is crucial for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Memory Leak’s mana cost includes black, which means it cannot be flexibly incorporated into decks that don’t run this color. Players running multicolor decks may find this color restriction limiting.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value, Memory Leak might be deemed costly when compared to other disruption spells. Given that the card operates at sorcery speed, the cost becomes even steeper when contemplating the array of instant-speed alternatives available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Memory Leak is a flexible card, capable of serving multiple roles within various decks. Whether you’re disrupting opponents’ hands or dealing with graveyard strategies, this card has a broad range of applications.
Combo Potential: Its ability to target any player’s graveyard makes it a strategic choice for decks that capitalize on diminishing resources, enhancing combos that rely on card and graveyard manipulation.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of strategies utilizing the graveyard, Memory Leak is a useful tool for keeping those tactics in check. If the meta shifts towards heavy reliance on graveyards, this card becomes an even more essential part of your arsenal.
How to beat
Memory Leak is a unique card that can be quite disruptive to any opponent’s strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It thrives on information asymmetry, enabling a player to target an opponent’s hand, nonland card in their graveyard, or even top cards in their library if cycled. To effectively counter Memory Leak, hand replenishment strategies like those found with cards such as Tamiyo’s Epiphany for card advantage are crucial. By maintaining a healthy hand size, the impact of discarding is minimized.
Another viable strategy involves utilizing spells with flashback or escape that can be played from the graveyard, such as Underworld Breach. This reduces the disadvantage of discarding as you can still access essential spells. Additionally, cards like Leyline of Sanctity provide protection by making you hexproof, therefore, Memory Leak cannot target you. It is also beneficial to assess the format you are playing. In formats with an abundance of instant-speed interaction, holding up mana to cast responses can mitigate Memory Leak’s disruption on your game plan.
Considering these strategies, a well-constructed deck that can swiftly recover from hand disruption or leverage graveyard play will stand a better chance against the challenge posed by Memory Leak.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Memory Leak MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Memory Leak 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Memory Leak has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |