Mindleech Ghoul MTG Card

Valuable for graveyard-focused playstyles, it disrupts opponents with its exile ability when dying. Demands creature discard, a potential downside in non-graveyard-synergistic decks. Despite its versatility, the Ghoul’s specific mana and higher cost can limit deck inclusion.

Mindleech Ghoul - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)

Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
2021-11-19 - Number 122

Mindleech Ghoul - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)

Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
2022-01-28 - Number 389

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie
Abilities	Exploit
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Exploit (When this creature enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice a creature.) When Mindleech Ghoul exploits a creature, each opponent exiles a card from their hand.

"This still doesn't make you the brains of the operation." —Ghoulcaller Gisa

Cards like Mindleech Ghoul

Mindleech Ghoul introduces itself as a distinctive creature card in MTG that provides strategic resource disruption. When comparing it to cards like Burglar Rat, we observe both creatures prompting a discard from the opponent. However, Mindleech Ghoul offers additional flexibility by allowing you to choose when to activate its ability, whereas Burglar Rat’s effect is a one-time event upon entering the battlefield.

Another card worth mentioning is Mesmeric Fiend, which also deals with the opponent’s hand but, instead of forcing a discard, temporarily exiles a card. The Ghoul, though it doesn’t exile, can be utilized multiple times through its activated ability, potentially providing ongoing disruption. Additionally, Liliana’s Specter presents a similar effect but affects all opponents, a key advantage in multiplayer games.

Therefore, Mindleech Ghoul finds its niche by offering repeatable, targeted discard capabilities. Its value becomes apparent in games demanding tactical hand attack strategies, illustrating its unique position within creature-based discard options in MTG.

Cards similar to Mindleech Ghoul by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Mindleech Ghoul. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Sultai Midrange	Standard	Sultai Midrange	Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mindleech Ghoul offers a strategic edge by enabling you to potentially exile an opponent’s card from their graveyard when it dies, which could disrupt their plans and tilt the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: By removing certain cards from an opponent’s graveyard, Mindleech Ghoul can indirectly expedite your gameplay by hindering their resource recuperation, thereby giving you a temporal advantage.

Instant Speed: The ability of Mindleech Ghoul to trigger its effect at instant speed, due to dying on either player’s turn, makes it a flexible card to navigate through the complexities of your opponent’s strategy and act accordingly without delay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For the Mindleech Ghoul to be effective, you need to discard another creature card. This requirement can be a setback during gameplay where maintaining a full grip is crucial, especially in decks that don’t focus on graveyard synergy.

Specific Mana Cost: Mindleech Ghoul’s casting cost demands both black and blue mana. This specificity means it can’t be as easily slotted into just any deck but requires a dedicated dimir or multicolor mana base, limiting its flexibility and potentially restricting your deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that isn’t necessarily low for its 1/1 stats, there might be moments when Mindleech Ghoul feels like a costly play. Although its ability can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, the initial investment may delay other critical plays or hinder your early game development.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindleech Ghoul adds value to decks focusing on graveyard interaction or needing a reliable sacrifice outlet. Its ability to exile a card from an opponent’s graveyard can disrupt their game plan while advancing yours.

Combo Potential: This creature synergizes with strategies that capitalize on effects triggered by death or card exile. Pairing it with other cards can result in potent combinations that can control the flow of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard strategies are prevalent, Mindleech Ghoul’s ability to exile key cards from opponent’s graveyards presents a tactical advantage. Its place in sideboards or main decks can provide a significant edge against such decks.

How to Beat Mindleech Ghoul

A deep dive into the strategies against Mindleech Ghoul reveals that this MTG card, a pesky creature with an enter-the-battlefield ability, can be neutralized effectively with the right approach. It thrives in strategies where your opponent’s discard can play to your advantage, making it crucial to have a game plan tailor-made to counteract it.

Combat tricks and removal spells are going to be your best allies here. Instant speed removal like Shock or Fatal Push can take the Ghoul out before its ability has the chance to trigger. Having an abundance of creatures on the board can also dampen the impact of sacrificing a creature, as you can select a less significant creature as fodder. On top of that, grave-based strategies that benefit from having creatures in your graveyard can actually turn Mindleech Ghoul’s ability into an advantage for you.

It’s also worth noting that Mindleech Ghoul’s effectiveness dwindles as the game progresses and your hand depletes. Playing a strategy with robust card draw to replenish your hand swiftly or utilizing cards that offer card advantage while keeping a high creature count can significantly diminish the efficacy of the Ghoul’s ability to disrupt your game plan.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindleech Ghoul MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Mindleech Ghoul and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mindleech Ghoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Alex Brock.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2021-11-19	Innistrad: Crimson Vow	VOW		122	2015	Normal	Black	Alex Brock
2	2022-01-28	Innistrad: Double Feature	DBL		389	2015	Normal	Black	Alex Brock

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindleech Ghoul has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal