Mind Bomb MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 33
1995-04-01 - Number 87
1995-04-01 - Number 87
1995-08-01 - Number 37
1997-03-24 - Number 105
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Mind Bomb does 3 damage to each player. All players may discard up to three cards of their choice from their hands. Each card a player discards in this manner prevents 1 damage to that player from Mind Bomb.
Cards like Mind Bomb
When delving into the intriguing dynamics of card disruption in MTG, Mind Bomb undoubtedly stirs the pot in a distinct way. It draws parallels to other cards designed to destabilize an opponent’s hand, such as Hymn to Tourach, which forces the discard of two random cards at the cost of two black mana. Mind Bomb, however, gives opponents the choice to take damage instead of discarding, providing a unique psychological edge to the game.
Similarly, Duress stands out as a one-mana spell allowing the player to look at an opponent’s hand and choose a noncreature, nonland card to be discarded. Unlike Mind Bomb, Duress doesn’t offer the alternative of taking damage, making it more of a pinpoint strategy versus Mind Bomb’s broader approach. Then there is Blightning, a combination of damage and discard that delivers a guaranteed effect regardless of the opponent’s choices, contrasting Mind Bomb’s conditional aspect.
In weighing their strategic value, Mind Bomb offers a versatile approach that can tilt the scales either through depleting important cards or by dealing damage, a dual-threat not commonly found in the MTG card disruption arsenal.
Cards similar to Mind Bomb by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mind Bomb can potentially cause each player to discard three cards, thereby disrupting your opponent’s hand while you possibly retain more control over the cards you sacrifice; this trade-off can often lead to a net positive in terms of card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, Mind Bomb’s ability to strip resources from your opponent’s hand can indirectly accelerate your position by setting them back, allowing you to maintain the lead in developing your board and strategy.
Instant Speed: Although Mind Bomb is a sorcery, its effects simulate the advantage of instant speed interaction by forcing decisions and potential discards during your turn, setting the pace and potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans before they have the chance to untap and draw more cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Mind Bomb demands each player to discard a card, which can backfire if you’re already dealing with a dwindling hand. This effect can hinder your own strategy as much as it can disrupt your opponent’s.
Specific Mana Cost: With a specific need for one blue mana, Mind Bomb can be restrictive and not always the best fit for decks that aren’t centered around blue or that have a diverse mana base. This requirement makes it less flexible compared to colorless or multicolored options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Mind Bomb’s impact may not justify the investment, especially when compared to other options available. In the realm where tempo plays a crucial role, spending three mana for an effect that also potentially affects you can set you back in the game.
Reasons to Include Mind Bomb in Your Collection
Versatility: Mind Bomb offers strategic flexibility in game play. It can serve multiple roles, acting as a disruption tool or a means to filter out unwanted cards from your hand, making it worthy for a variety of blue-centric decks.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to potentially deal damage while also disrupting your opponent’s hand makes it synergistic in decks that aim to capitalize on both life total and informational advantages. Its use can be a setup for other cards that benefit from an opponent’s reduced hand size or life total.
Meta-Relevance: This card can shine in environments where hand disruption is key or where opponents rely on certain cards to execute their strategy. In the right meta, Mind Bomb can be a tactical addition, adding depth to your game plan against control or combo decks that depend on specific card synergies.
How to beat
Mind Bomb is a unique card from Magic: The Gathering that can shake up the dynamics of any game. Its ability to potentially deal damage or cause card disadvantage to your opponents can be tricky to navigate. To effectively counter Mind Bomb, consider maintaining a hand size that allows flexibility. Having expendable cards to discard can mitigate the damage taken and preserve your more valuable spells and creatures.
Strategies that revolve around graveyard utilization can also turn the discard requirement into an advantage. If your deck can benefit from having certain cards in the graveyard, Mind Bomb’s effect may actually further your game plan. It’s also advantageous to have creatures or effects that can absorb the damage dealt by Mind Bomb, like creatures with high toughness or damage prevention effects. Furthermore, playing Mind Bomb when your opponent has a smaller hand size can inflict maximum damage to them while minimizing its impact on you.
Remember, timing and understanding the current board state is crucial. Playing Mind Bomb at an opportune moment can shift the game in your favor, while harnessing your deck’s specific synergies will lessen its detriment to you and turn its explosive effect into a calculated advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mind Bomb MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, 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 Mind Bomb 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
Printings
The Mind Bomb Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 33 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 87 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 87 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 37 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 105 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Bomb has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |