Mind's Dilation MTG Card


Provides card advantage by leveraging opponents’ spells during their turn, disrupting their strategy. Enables resource acceleration without depleting personal mana or card pools, enhancing board state. Combo potential within decks, particularly when leveraging spell-casting or late-game control.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityMythic
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever an opponent casts their first spell each turn, that player exiles the top card of their library. If it's a nonland card, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.

Infinite wisdom cannot be contained within a single mind.


Understanding Mind’s Dilation

Mind’s Dilation is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that stands out among the game’s blue control cards. Its ability to potentially cast an opponent’s spell during their turn grants the controller an unexpected level of influence over the game. This blue enchantment mirrors the unpredictability of cards like Possibility Storm and Eye of the Storm, which also disrupt normal play patterns by introducing an element of chance and surprise into spell casting.

Mind’s Dilation shares the enchantment trait with the fabled Omniscience, which also alters the rules of casting spells dramatically, allowing a player to cast any number of spells without paying their mana costs. While Omniscience is often seen as a game-ending play, Mind’s Dilation offers a more unpredictable approach, relying on the opponent’s deck to provide the tools for victory. This makes it somewhat of a gamble, but an exciting one for those who enjoy turning uncertainty to their advantage.

Cards like Mind's Dilation

Mind’s Dilation has similarities to other enchantments in MTG that shift the course of the game by interacting with spells. Like its distant cousin, the Chaos Wand, it brings an exciting uncertainty to the table, allowing its controller to play spells from the top of an opponent’s library. Chaos Wand requires mana investment each time it’s activated and targets only instant and sorcery spells, while Mind’s Dilation is more encompassing, allowing for any type of nonland card to be cast for free.

Then there’s the blue enchantment called Knowledge Pool, which exiles cards and allows players to cast other spells from among those exiled with it when they cast a spell from their hand. Both Mind’s Dilation and Knowledge Pool cultivate a game state where control and foresight take a backseat to adaptability and luck of the draw. However, Knowledge Pool affects all players equally, while Mind’s Dilation specifically targets an opponent, which could be a strategic advantage depending on the situation.

Comparatively, Mind’s Dilation may not provide the consistent game-ending impact of Omniscience or the assuredness of Purposeful Dismantlement, which allows for selective removal of threats. But for players who revel in the chaos and potential for massive advantage swings, Mind’s Dilation offers an unrivaled experience and could be a match-winning wildcard when used effectively.

Possibility Storm - MTG Card versions
Eye of the Storm - MTG Card versions
Omniscience - MTG Card versions
Chaos Wand - MTG Card versions
Knowledge Pool - MTG Card versions
Possibility Storm - MTG Card versions
Eye of the Storm - MTG Card versions
Omniscience - MTG Card versions
Chaos Wand - MTG Card versions
Knowledge Pool - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mind's Dilation by color, type and mana cost

Day of the Dragons - MTG Card versions
Meishin, the Mind Cage - MTG Card versions
Eye of the Storm - MTG Card versions
Take Possession - MTG Card versions
Thought Reflection - MTG Card versions
Cast Through Time - MTG Card versions
Spirit Away - MTG Card versions
Dismiss into Dream - MTG Card versions
Lay Claim - MTG Card versions
Swarm Intelligence - MTG Card versions
Kiora Bests the Sea God - MTG Card versions
Curse of Unbinding - MTG Card versions
Day of the Dragons - MTG Card versions
Meishin, the Mind Cage - MTG Card versions
Eye of the Storm - MTG Card versions
Take Possession - MTG Card versions
Thought Reflection - MTG Card versions
Cast Through Time - MTG Card versions
Spirit Away - MTG Card versions
Dismiss into Dream - MTG Card versions
Lay Claim - MTG Card versions
Swarm Intelligence - MTG Card versions
Kiora Bests the Sea God - MTG Card versions
Curse of Unbinding - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mind’s Dilation is a powerhouse when it comes to turning the tides in your favor with additional draws. This enchantment lets you peek at the top card of your opponent’s library whenever they cast their first spell each turn, potentially casting it without paying its mana cost. This can drastically increase your available options and overwhelm opponents with a surplus of resources.

Resource Acceleration: By casting your opponent’s spells, Mind’s Dilation effectively accelerates your resource pool without tapping into your own cards or mana. This allows you to deploy your hand more aggressively while using your opponents’ resources against them, thereby ramping up your board state with their arsenal.

Instant Speed: Although Mind’s Dilation itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its triggered ability activates during your opponent’s turn. This gives you the advantage of utilizing your opponent’s spells during their own turn, often catching them off-guard and disrupting their strategy while fortifying yours with instant-speed plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Mind’s Dilation does not directly require you to discard a card, its seven mana cost might force you to deplete your hand just to get it onto the battlefield, potentially leaving you at a dangerous lack of resources to respond to your opponent’s threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Mind’s Dilation has a specific mana cost that includes three blue mana. This cost restricts its integration to decks heavy in blue mana or those capable of producing various colors of mana with ease, possibly limiting the card’s versatility across different deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana cost, Mind’s Dilation can often be less appealing when compared to other enchantments or high-impact cards in the same mana range. This is especially true for faster-paced metagames, where getting to seven mana can be too slow, putting you at a disadvantage against players executing their strategies more rapidly.


Reasons to Include Mind’s Dilation in Your Collection

Versatility: Mind’s Dilation is a unique enchantment that can slot into various decks, notably those aiming to leverage their spell-casting capabilities or control the ebb and flow of the late game. Its universal effect of exiling the top card of an opponent’s library whenever they cast their first spell each turn allows players to adapt to numerous playstyles and situations.

Combo Potential: This card has a high combo potential in decks that manipulate opponents’ top decks or utilize extra turns. The fact that it grants you the ability to cast spells without paying their mana cost can lead to a cascade of advantageous plays, turning the tide in your favor with the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s potential to disrupt opponent strategies by providing you with a steady stream of their spells, it’s particularly effective against decks that rely heavily on casting numerous spells each turn. In metas where control or combo decks prevail, Mind’s Dilation can serve as a crucial piece to outmaneuver and gain an upper hand.


How to beat

Mind’s Dilation is a unique enchantment in MTG that can significantly alter the course of a game. When facing this card, an opponent has to strategically navigate their plays to avoid giving you free spells. It’s pivotal for players to consider methods that effectively neutralize this potent card. Cards that destroy enchantments, like Naturalize or Return to Nature, can be game changers. Rather than attempting to cast multiple spells in a turn, which could benefit the Mind’s Dilation owner, playing fewer impactful spells can limit its effectiveness. Moreover, incorporating counterspells such as Negate or playing cards that grant hexproof to a player, like Leyline of Sanctity, can also protect one’s strategy from the unexpected turns that Mind’s Dilation can cause.

Keeping the board state under control with sweepers like Wrath of God ensures that even if an opponent gains advantage through Mind’s Dilation, they won’t have many targets to capitalize on with their free spells. Lastly, transforming one’s deck to have a higher concentration of instant-speed spells allows one to wait until the end of the opponent’s turn to play, thus diminishing the value Mind’s Dilation can provide to the opponent. By effectively employing these strategies, a player can mitigate the impact of Mind’s Dilation and maintain control over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unveiling the potential of Mind’s Dilation can be the turning point in your MTG strategies. With this enchantment, each game unfolds with surprise elements that keep both you and your adversaries on your toes. If your play style thrives on foresight and disruption, incorporating Mind’s Dilation into your deck can offer a thrilling edge. The card’s ability to harness your opponent’s resources might just catapult you to victory. Yearning to deepen your knowledge and harness the power of Mind’s Dilation to its fullest? Dive into our resources for strategic insights and expert guidance that will sharpen your skills and elevate your game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mind's Dilation MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon Promos and Eldritch Moon, 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's Dilation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mind's Dilation Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 70s2015NormalBlackIain McCaig
22016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 702015NormalBlackIain McCaig
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11802015NormalBorderlessOri Toor
42023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 822015NormalBlackIain McCaig
52024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 1012015NormalBlackIain McCaig

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mind's Dilation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-07-13 If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2016-07-13 If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs, such as emerge costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as escalate costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
2016-07-13 If you cast an instant or sorcery card this way, it goes to its owner’s graveyard as normal. It doesn’t return to exile.
2016-07-13 If you cast the card this way, it will resolve before the spell that caused Mind’s Dilation’s ability to trigger.
2016-07-13 If you cast the exiled card, you do so as part of the resolution of Mind’s Dilation’s ability. You can’t wait to cast it later in the turn. Timing permissions based on the card’s type are ignored, but other restrictions (such as “Cast
-his card] only during combat”) are not.
2016-07-13 If you don’t cast the card, perhaps because you choose not to or because it’s a land card, it remains exiled.