Mind Sludge MTG Card
2002-02-04 - Number 70
2003-07-28 - Number 146
2003-07-28 - Number 146★
2009-10-02 - Number 102
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target player discards a card from his or her hand for each swamp you control.
When you get into the swamp, the swamp gets into you.
Cards like Mind Sludge
Mind Sludge, a disruptive spell in Magic: The Gathering, has carved out its niche in the realm of hand disruption cards. Its nearest kin would be Mind Rot, which, for one mana less, forces an opponent to discard two cards. Mind Sludge takes this effect further by scaling with the number of Swamps you control, potentially stripping an opponent’s entire hand.
Another comparable card would be Hymn to Tourach, noted for its cost-effective nature at only two mana, randomly discarding two cards from the opponent’s hand, potentially hitting key strategic cards by chance. However, Mind Sludge can provide a more consistent impact later in the game when your mana base is established. Then there is Unnerve, which compels all opponents to discard two cards for four mana. It’s impactful in multiplayer scenarios, but Mind Sludge can be more devastating to a single opponent in a one-on-one game.
Assessing these options, Mind Sludge stands out in scenarios where the game progresses, allowing a player to leverage their mana base for a more substantial effect, making it a feared card in Magic: The Gathering for potentially clearing out an opponent’s hand.
Cards similar to Mind Sludge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mind Sludge sets the stage for significant card advantage by forcing an opponent to discard a number of cards equal to the number of Swamps you control. This can often result in a daunting deficit for your opponent while bolstering your upper hand in terms of available resources.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating your resources, Mind Sludge indirectly contributes to resource acceleration by disrupting your opponent’s hand, thereby slowing down their game plan and giving you the relative speed advantage in deploying your own strategies.
Instant Speed: Although Mind Sludge operates at sorcery speed, its impactful effect on the opponent’s hand can be compared to the strategic advantages of instant-speed interactions. This disruption can pave a clearer path for your instant-speed plays by reducing the chances of countermagic or instant-speed removal from your opponent in subsequent turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While casting Mind Sludge forces your opponent to discard cards, it doesn’t offset the cost for you in terms of card advantage. This can be detrimental in matches where maintaining hand size is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Mind Sludge’s mana cost is heavy on black, necessitating a significant commitment to swamps or black mana sources. This can be restrictive and may not fit easily into multicolored or splashable decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including four black, Mind Sludge sits at a higher point on the curve. There are alternative discard spells that are cheaper to cast, allowing for a more flexible and earlier game strategy.
Reasons to Include Mind Sludge in Your Collection
Versatility: Mind Sludge is a valuable asset in black decks with a focus on hand disruption. Its ability to target an opponent’s hand fits into various strategies, undermining opponents who rely on numerous cards to execute their plans.
Combo Potential: When used in conjunction with cards that track discarded cards, Mind Sludge can be notably potent. It can amplify the effects of cards like Waste Not, creating a rapid accumulation of resources or overwhelming board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where players hold onto several cards for late-game plays, Mind Sludge’s discard effect can decisively tilt the game in your favor. By stripping key pieces from your opponent’s hand, it disrupts their ability to execute their strategy and maintains your control over the game’s tempo.
How to beat
Mind Sludge is a classic black spell that sows chaos in an opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard cards from their hand equal to the number of Swamps you control. This can be devastating to an opponent’s game plan, stripping them of resources and disrupting their ability to execute strategies effectively. To counteract Mind Sludge, it’s essential to have a resilient hand strategy or hand protection mechanisms in place.
One way to mitigate the effect of Mind Sludge is by utilizing cards that benefit from discarding or cards that can be played from the graveyard—thus turning a potential setback into an advantage. Additionally, countering it with spell cancellation abilities or by using cards that allow you to draw more cards keeps your hand filled, reducing the impact of the discard. It’s crucial to maintain card advantage against decks that run discard effects. Lastly, consider playing fewer lands that count as Swamps or diversifying your mana base to weaken Mind Sludge’s potential impact.
Understanding the timing and knowing when to expect such a spell can also drastically reduce its strength. By keeping pressure on your opponent and not overextending your hand, you can ensure that Mind Sludge doesn’t leave you in a slump during the game. Overall, by anticipating and preparing for Mind Sludge, you bolster your defenses against one of black’s pesky hand disruption tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mind Sludge MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Eighth 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 Sludge 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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Printings
The Mind Sludge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2009-10-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-02-04 | Torment | TOR | 70 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 146 | 2003 | Normal | White | Eric Peterson | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 146★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 4 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 102 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Sludge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |