Mindshrieker MTG Card

Card advantage potential through repeat milling, impacting both player’s libraries and power on board. Instant speed activation allows reactive play, catching opponents off-guard during combat phases. Requires careful resource management due to cumulative mana costs for continuous ability use.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Spirit Bird
Abilities	Flying,Mill
Released	2011-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Innistrad
Set code	ISD
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	67
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Kendall

Text of card

Flying : Target player puts the top card of his or her library into his or her graveyard. Mindshrieker gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is that card's converted mana cost.

Cards like Mindshrieker

Mindshrieker stands out in the Magic: The Gathering landscape as an intriguing creature card that offers a unique take on deck manipulation and power scaling. It has some resemblance to fellow flyer, Delver of Secrets. Both creatures have the potential to transform into more formidable threats; Delver through a simple condition, and Mindshrieker via its mill and power-boost ability. However, Mindshrieker provides a more immediate impact with its potential power increase at instant speed.

When it comes to stat modifications, we also see parallels with Scryb Sprites. While Scryb Sprites is a straightforward 1/1 flying creature, Mindshrieker starts with similar stats but can dramatically increase its power and toughness, providing a variable that can disrupt opponent strategies. Compared to Duskmantle Seer, Mindshrieker doesn’t cause card draw but focuses on altering the top card of a library, making it a more subtle but potentially powerful presence on the board.

Evaluating the versatility and potential for game-changing plays, Mindshrieker offers Magic: The Gathering players a creature with unique adaptability, capable of evolving from a small threat to a game-ending powerhouse with just a bit of mana investment and strategic planning.

Cards similar to Mindshrieker by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Mindshrieker, you have the potential to repeatedly mill yourself or your opponent to potentially reveal powerful spells that can grow the Mindshrieker significantly. This serves the dual purpose of incrementally increasing your threat on board while simultaneously sculpting the contents of either library to your advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The efficiency of this card is evident as it allows you to put mana into it at any time you have it available. This can turn any unused mana at the end of your opponent’s turn into an instant increase in Mindshrieker’s power, turning it into a formidable flyer quickly.

Instant Speed: One of Mindshrieker’s strengths is its ability to become a threat at instant speed. You can activate its ability in the middle of combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, making it a flexible and surprising element that can alter the course of the game on the fly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mindshrieker calls for a card to be discarded from either your own library or an opponent’s as fuel for its ability. This can be a downside in situations where your library is running thin or when you inadvertently empower your opponent by discarding the right card from their deck.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires both generic and blue mana to play. This necessity for blue mana might make the card a less viable option for decks that do not heavily feature islands or lack sufficient mana-fixing capabilities to accommodate blue spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Mindshrieker’s starting cost is moderate, continuously using its power-boosting ability requires a steady investment of mana. This could lead to a higher overall mana cost compared to other creatures or spells that offer similar levels of augmentation without the need for recurrent investments.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindshrieker offers a unique adaptability, being a flying creature; it fits well in decks that capitalize on evasive threats. Its ability to potentially grow larger with each activation makes it a dynamic choice for various game situations.

Combo Potential: This spirit bird shines in strategies that manipulate the top of the library, pairing well with cards that stack the deck, enabling it to become a formidable force for just a small mana investment.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with graveyard-centric decks, Mindshrieker stands out by turning reanimation tactics against opponents, using their own powerful creatures to boost its strength and strike from the skies.

How to beat

Mindshrieker presents an interesting challenge in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to become a flying behemoth on the battlefield. This Spirit Bird has the power to feed on the top card of a player’s library, potentially soaring to massive power levels. However, it’s not without its vulnerabilities. When facing Mindshrieker, one of the keys is timing. Utilize instant-speed removal when the opponent taps out to invest in pumping Mindshrieker’s power. This can nullify their investment and swing the momentum in your favor.

Graveyard interaction is another potent weapon against Mindshrieker. Since it relies on manipulating the top card of libraries, cards such as Tormod’s Crypt can exile the graveyard, reducing the power this creature can gain. Additionally, strategic play that avoids stocking the graveyard with high mana value cards can limit Mindshrieker’s potential growth. Lastly, effects that control the top card of a library, like Brainstorm or scry effects, not only optimize your draws but also disrupt Mindshrieker’s ability to hit valuable cards.

Strategically, maintaining answers to Mindshrieker and understanding the opportune moments for their deployment are key elements in countering this card’s strengths within the matrix of MTG gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindshrieker MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Mindshrieker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindshrieker has restrictions

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