Mindculling MTG Card

Draw three cards with Mindculling to potentially outpace opponents and increase your hand options. Instant speed play allows strategic flexibility, maintaining mana for varied in-game reactions. Generates two colorless mana, expediting the casting of higher-cost spells for earlier threats or answers.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Number	39
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cos Koniotis

Text of card

You draw two cards and target opponent discards two cards.

"Why infiltrate their strongholds when what we seek resides in such a poorly guarded safe?" —Malcator, Executor of Synthesis

Cards like Mindculling

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Mindculling introduces a compelling dynamic to the multiplayer game format. When comparing it to similar cards, Jace’s Ingenuity comes to mind. Both cards allow a significant draw of three cards, yet Mindculling offers an additional advantage in multiplayer games by forcing an opponent to share the bounty and draw three cards as well. This distinction makes Mindculling an intriguing tactical choice for group matches.

Another comparable card is Concentrate, which also grants the ability to draw three cards for the same mana investment, without the potential downside of advantaging an opponent. While Concentrate is exclusively beneficial to the caster, Mindculling opens strategic interactions by selecting which opponent may benefit from the draw. Consequently, it requires a deeper layer of strategy, weighing the benefits of card advantage against the potential of aiding an adversary.

Assessing the strategic depth and utility, Mindculling stands out in multiplayer deck builds, fortifying its place with an added layer of psychological play as players must choose wisely whom to let draw cards. Its utility in single-player formats may not be as pronounced, but it excels in more social and interactive games of MTG.

Cards similar to Mindculling by color, type and mana cost

Govern the Guildless - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mindculling offers a strategic benefit by enabling you to draw three cards upon resolution. This influx of new options can easily turn the tides of a match by outpacing an opponent’s hand size and improving your chances of having the right answer when it’s most critical.

Resource Acceleration: The ability of Mindculling to generate two colorless mana can act as a springboard, propelling you towards casting higher-cost spells earlier in the game. This accelerated resource generation can give you a decisive edge, allowing you to deploy threats or answers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG, and Mindculling’s instant speed means that you can optimize your play by holding up mana for other potential interactions. Whether you’re bluffing a counterspell or waiting to see if a more pressing threat needs to be addressed, the choice to use Mindculling at the last possible moment can keep opponents guessing and give you a strategic advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Mindculling card necessitates that players discard a card, which can be detrimental during crucial moments when hand size is particularly valuable.

Specific Mana Cost: Mindculling’s mana cost includes blue and black, potentially restricting its utility to decks that specifically accommodate those colors without the flexibility of colorless mana options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of six mana to cast, Mindculling stands on the higher end of the mana curve. This poses a significant investment, especially when other options may present more cost-effective alternatives for achieving similar in-game effects.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindculling is a flexible card that can be included in various deck types. Its ability to force opponents to draw cards while you gain card advantage makes it useful in a wide range of strategic plays, particularly in decks geared towards controlling the game’s pace.

Combo Potential: This card works wonderfully with strategies that capitalize on your opponents drawing or discarding cards. Combining it with cards that penalize drawing extra cards or with abilities that trigger upon discarding can be devastating to your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where opponents heavily rely on specific cards or combos, Mindculling can disrupt their plans by saturating their hand, possibly causing them to discard essential components. The ability to draw while making your opponent overdraw can be a critical maneuver to outpace the competition.

How to beat

Mindculling is a card that can pose a challenge on the battlefield, allowing its controller to potentially gain a considerable advantage in card economy by drawing two cards. Its effect echoes the dynamic seen in cards like Divination, but here, the feature of requiring an opponent to draw as well solidifies its uniqueness. Arguably, it changes the game significantly, by not only propelling your strategy forward but also inadvertently assisting your opponent.

Counterplay against Mindculling could involve strategic timing. Utilize instant-speed removal or discard effects after Mindculling’s ability has been activated but before its effect resolves. This ensures that your opponent’s temporary card advantage does not transform into a long-term threat. Additionally, one can employ hand-disruption spells that force the enemy to discard the newly acquired cards. Being proactive in pressuring the opponent’s hand can mitigate Mindculling’s impact, turning the tide in your favor.

Ultimately, tackling Mindculling is about disrupting the opponent’s game plan while minimizing the benefits they receive. Staying one step ahead with instant-speed interaction or denying them the full benefit of their card draw will render Mindculling less daunting and keep the control in your hands.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindculling MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Mindculling and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindculling has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-06-01	If the opponent has one card in hand, that player will discard that card and you will draw two cards. If the opponent has no cards in hand, you will draw two cards.
2011-06-01	You must be able to target an opponent to cast Mindculling. If that opponent is an illegal target when Mindculling tries to resolve, it’ll be countered and will have no effect. You won’t draw two cards.