Mind Drain MTG Card

Mind Drain manipulates game control, causing opponents to lose both cards and life, essential for disruption strategies. Its unique offering balances hand disruption with a touch of damage, differentiating it from other discard spells. Effective against opponents’ strategized hands, Mind Drain can shift game advantage when played at key moments.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Mill
Released	2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar Rising
Set code	ZNR
Number	114
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Grzegorz Rutkowski

Text of card

Target opponent discards two cards, mills a card, and loses 1 life. You gain 1 life. (To mill a card, a player puts the top card of their library into their graveyard.)

"The meal was exquisite. The conversation, less so."

Cards like Mind Drain

Mind Drain joins the ranks of intriguing disruption spells in the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering. It stands in line with cards like Duress which also targets an opponent’s hand, albeit in a different manner. Unlike Mind Drain, Duress allows players to specifically choose noncreature, nonland cards to discard at no mana cost. Mind Drain, however, removes a set number of cards regardless of type but at a three mana cost. The life loss that accompanies Mind Drain is a welcome bonus, further increasing the gap between you and your opponent.

Also in this category is Agonizing Remorse, which is similar in that it allows for consideration when extracting cards from an opponent’s hand or graveyard, but it doesn’t grant the life loss bonus. On the other end of the spectrum is a card like Hymn to Tourach, a powerhouse due to its randomness and the potential for a two-card discard at only two mana. While it doesn’t impact life totals, the early game setback it causes can be substantial.

In sum, Mind Drain may not be the first pick when it comes to low-cost targeted discard spells, yet it offers a balance of disruption that could sway the tide of a game. Its life-draining aspect combined with its capacity to affect the opponent’s hand gives it a unique position within MTG’s multifaceted meta.

Cards similar to Mind Drain by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mind Drain targets an opponent who then discards two cards, potentially stripping away strategic options from their hand and giving you an edge in maintaining control over the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Mind Drain doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, forcing an opponent to discard can indirectly speed up your game plan by stalling theirs, allowing you to progress your board while they recover.

Instant Speed: Although Mind Drain is a sorcery, its disruptive capability can significantly alter the tempo of the game, much like an instant speed interaction, by impacting your opponent’s resources during your turn, setting them back before they have the chance to act.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Mind Drain forces your opponent to discard cards, there’s no direct benefit for you such as card draw or life gain. This means that if you’re behind, Mind Drain might not provide the immediate impact you need to stabilize the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Mind Drain’s casting cost requires one black mana and two generic mana, which can be restrictive for multi-colored decks. If your deck doesn’t consistently produce black mana, you might struggle to cast Mind Drain when you need it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Mind Drain’s impact is limited to discarding cards and a slight life loss for your opponent. There are other cards at the same mana cost that can potentially sway the game in your favor more decisively, whether through removal, creature development, or direct life advantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mind Drain is an adaptable card in MTG, useful in a variety of black decks that aim to disrupt opponents. Its ability to make an opponent discard and lose life gives it a dual function as both control and aggression tool.

Combo Potential: As Mind Drain removes cards from your opponent’s hand while also chipping away at their life total, it works well with strategies focused on hand disruption and life drain synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where opponents often rely on a carefully curated hand to execute their game plan, Mind Drain can be a crucial play to unsettle their rhythm and gain an advantage, making it an astute pick for competitive play.

How to Beat Mind Drain

Mind Drain introduces an intriguing dynamic to hand disruption in Magic: The Gathering. This black sorcery makes an opponent discard cards and lose life, presenting a dual threat to their resources and health total. The effectiveness of Mind Drain is that it impacts hand advantage while simultaneously chipping away at an opponent’s life, showcasing the classic offensive-defensive duality black spells are known for.

To counteract this disruption, consider employing cards like Duress or Thoughtseize to proactively remove Mind Drain from an opponent’s hand before it can be cast. Additionally, instant-speed draw spells like Opt or cycling abilities enable players to maintain card advantage even after being targeted by Mind Drain. Sideboarding in cards specifically designed to thwart discard strategies, such as Leyline of Sanctity or Nihil Spellbomb, can also provide a protective buffer against such tactics.

Ultimately, while Mind Drain poses a considerable threat, especially when adeptly timed or combined with other disruptive forces, its impact can be mitigated or even turned into a player’s advantage with thoughtful deck construction and timely play decisions. With the right counters and strategies in place, overcoming the challenges posed by Mind Drain is well within the reach of seasoned players.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mind Drain MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Drain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Drain 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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-09-25	If the target opponent can discard only one card or can’t discard any cards, they still mill a card and lose 1 life, and you gain 1 life.