Empty the Laboratory MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Drawing three cards provides a significant increase in hand resources, crucial in many game scenarios.
  2. Empty the Laboratory’s instant speed allows flexible, tactical play, enhancing strategic decision-making.
  3. Free cast on the third spell each turn can lead to powerful, explosive turns with careful planning.

Text of card

Sacrifice X Zombies, then reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a number of Zombie creature cards equal to the number of Zombies sacrificed this way. Put those cards onto the battlefield and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Drawing three cards with Empty the Laboratory ensures a notable boost in hand resources, which can be key for staying ahead or catching up in a game’s progression.

Resource Acceleration: With every third spell cast in a turn triggering Empty the Laboratory for free, this potent mechanic paves the way for explosive plays, allowing a savvy planeswalker to leverage spell casts into an even larger mana pool for subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Empty the Laboratory at instant speed grants flexibility, enabling tactical responses to an adversary’s moves. This attribute also allows players to optimize their mana usage and decision-making up to the last possible moment, significantly enhancing the card’s strategic depth.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Empty the Laboratory requires you to discard a card to cast it. Such a demand can hamper your strategy when you’re managing a tight hand and need all the resources you can get. Discarding not only diminishes your options but could inadvertently give your opponent insight into your play style or planned combos.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Empty the Laboratory includes a precise combination of blue mana, which ties it firmly into decks rich in that color’s resources. If your deck doesn’t support a heavy blue mana base or is tricolor, fitting Empty the Laboratory into it might be challenging and reduce the card’s overall effectiveness.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s considered on the higher end for its effects, Empty the Laboratory could be overshadowed by alternatives that deliver similar outcomes for less mana. High costs lead to later plays, which could cost you tempo against decks that capitalize on speed or early board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Empty the Laboratory brings flexibility to several builds, as it serves players who aim to delve into their graveyards while simultaneously amassing a creature base on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card enables numerous synergies, notably with spells or abilities that capitalize on casting spells from the graveyard, therefore expanding the explosive potential of combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where graveyard mechanics are prevalent or decks are built around spell-slinging, the utility that Empty the Laboratory offers can be a game changer, providing strategic depth and adaptability.


How to Beat

Empty the Laboratory is an engaging card that reinforces the innovative strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its synergy with spellcasting to create numerous creature tokens can turn the tide of any game, allowing for rapid board state development. This potent tactic mirrors that of cards like Krenko, Mob Boss, which also flourishes by exploiting the number of creatures under your control.

To effectively counter Empty the Laboratory strategies, managing the spellcasting flow is essential. Tools like Counterspell come into play here, as interrupting the chain of spells can prevent the flood of tokens. Regular board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, too can swiftly clear the tokens from the battlefield. Moreover, introducing graveyard disruption with cards like Tormod’s Crypt can render the delve mechanic of Empty the Laboratory less effective, thereby diminishing its potential impact. Players should focus on maintaining control of the game tempo, interrupting key spells, and being ready to clean the board when necessary.

Ultimately, overcoming the challenge posed by Empty the Laboratory requires a mix of foresight, disruption, and precise timing, making it a thrilling experience for control and strategy-savvy players within Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the dynamics of MTG is a continuous quest for innovation, strategic prowess, and gathering a diverse collection to adapt to any battle. The instant-speed versatility of Empty the Laboratory coupled with its card advantage and combo potential underscores its place within strategic deck builds. Yet, mindful consideration of its mana specificity and higher cost is vital for integration into your arsenal. For those pursuing mastery over their spell-slinging techniques and graveyard mechanics, the card represents a worthy challenge. Expand your horizons, perfect your deck strategies, and explore the rich potential that Empty the Laboratory offers. Learn more about how to harness its power and fortify your collection with this invaluable asset for your MTG endeavors.


Cards like Empty the Laboratory

Empty the Laboratory is an inventive spell in the MTG universe that introduces unique dynamics to deck building. Its mechanics resonate with those of spells like Brainstorm, a staple in any player’s arsenal looking to manipulate their draws. While Brainstorm offers an immediate draw of three cards for a single blue mana, Empty the Laboratory takes a structured approach, allowing you to sift through the top seven cards of your library and keep three at a five mana investment.

Another parallel can be drawn to the card Fact or Fiction, where you reveal the top five cards and an opponent separates them into two piles for you to choose from. This card provides a more interactive play, whereas with Empty the Laboratory, the control remains solely in your hands, guiding your strategy with more precision. While both offer substantial card advantage, they cater to different playstyles and circumstances.

Considering the cost-to-benefit ratio, Empty the Laboratory stands out in scenarios where depth of search trumps the immediacy of cards like Brainstorm or the interaction provided by Fact or Fiction. This makes it a formidable option for players looking to carefully sculpt their hand and future plays.

Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Fact or Fiction - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Fact or Fiction - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Empty the Laboratory by color, type and mana cost

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Time Walk - MTG Card versions
Drain Power - MTG Card versions
Braingeyser - MTG Card versions
Transmute Artifact - MTG Card versions
Forget - MTG Card versions
Piracy - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Wind Sail - MTG Card versions
Mana Vapors - MTG Card versions
Turbulent Dreams - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Muse Vortex - MTG Card versions
See the Truth - MTG Card versions
Fae of Wishes // Granted - MTG Card versions
Maddening Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Silver Scrutiny - MTG Card versions
Reshape - MTG Card versions
Eye of Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Skyscribing - MTG Card versions
See Beyond - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Empty the Laboratory MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Midnight Hunt 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 Empty the Laboratory and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Empty the Laboratory Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by Tuan Duong Chu.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939422015NormalBlackTuan Duong Chu
22021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 522015NormalBlackTuan Duong Chu
32021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 142015NormalBlackTuan Duong Chu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Empty the Laboratory has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-09-24 The Zombies will enter the battlefield simultaneously. They will see each other enter for the purposes of triggered abilities.

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