Mephitic Draught MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Number | 112 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Lauren K. Cannon |
Text of card
When Mephitic Draught enters the battlefield or is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
"Don't look at me. I'm not drinking it." —Dranach, Dire Fleet boatswain
Cards like Mephitic Draught
Mephitic Draught brings a unique blend of features to the table in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives might be cards like Funeral Charm or Piracy Charm, which offer a similar instant speed interaction with the opponent. Mephitic Draught’s ability to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn mirrors Funeral Charm’s versatility, though Funeral Charm offers additional options such as discard or giving a creature Swampwalk.
Another card worth comparing is Disfigure, which also provides a quick way to weaken a creature by giving it -2/-2 but lacks the ability to target players, an aspect where Mephitic Draught excels. However, Disfigure’s more substantial debuff can be pivotal in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, Mephitic Draught’s capability to deal one damage to each creature and each player adds an extra layer of utility and potential game impact.
When evaluating Mephitic Draught against these alternatives, it stands out for its flexibility to target multiple creatures and even players, thereby offering strategic advantages in the right deck. This card can potentially swing the tide of the game, especially when used at precisely the right moment.
Cards similar to Mephitic Draught by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mephitic Draught gives you the edge by potentially removing multiple threats with a single card. This efficiency helps to outpace opponents by depleting their board presence while maintaining your hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Mephitic Draught doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, its low casting cost aids in optimizing your mana usage. This allows you to deploy other strategies and spells faster, accelerating your game plan without falling behind.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Mephitic Draught at instant speed offers immense strategic flexibility. You can disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn, wait for the optimum moment to weaken their creatures, or even cast it at the end of their turn to conserve your mana and options during your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mephitic Draught necessitates the player to discard a card to use its effect. For players who may not have extra cards to spare, this can be a substantial drawback, especially in critical moments when each card in hand is vital for strategic execution.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of mana to cast, specifically black mana. This requirement could potentially restrict the types of decks it is included in, as not all strategies may have the necessary resources to accommodate such a cost, particularly in multi-color decks that might not prioritize black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana value required to put Mephitic Draught into play could be seen as steep for the effect it delivers. Players might find themselves considering other options that bring greater value or more impactful in-game advantages for the same, or even a lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mephitic Draught offers a flexible solution to disrupt opponent strategies by granting swift and potentially game-swinging creature de-buffing capabilities. Its instant speed allows for strategic plays during critical turns.
Combo Potential: Mephitic Draught shines in combinations with cards that reward the player for sapping opponents’ creature stats or destroy creatures with diminished power, potentially leading to advantageous board wipes.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based tactics reign supreme, the ability of Mephitic Draught to weaken an army or neutralize key threats can be critical, making it a strategic addition to your deck in these scenarios.
How to beat
Mephitic Draught presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. Its ability to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn may seem modest, but with proliferate mechanics in play, it can become a recurring nuisance. Clever players often combine it with cards that add additional -1/-1 counters or manipulate them to control the board.
To effectively counteract Mephitic Draught, direct removal spells are a solid choice, bypassing the need to deal with counter accumulation. Such spells, like Murder or Path to Exile, eliminate the threat without concern for how many counters have been placed. Additionally, utilizing hexproof or shroud abilities can safeguard your creatures, making the draught’s effects void. Cards like Asceticism protect your creatures by cloaking them from targeted spells and abilities.
Furthermore, playing creatures that benefit from receiving counters, like Fathom Mage or Scavenging Ooze, turns Mephitic Draught’s downside into a potential advantage for you. Board countering options like Solemnity can also negate these harmful effects, ensuring the toxic touch of Mephitic Draught never takes hold of your creatures. Leveraging these strategies can help maintain control and give you the upper hand against this deceptively dangerous card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mephitic Draught MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns 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 Mephitic Draught 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mephitic Draught has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |