Oculus MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Homunculus
Released	2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin Besieged
Set code	MBS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	29
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Scott

Key Takeaways

Oculus offers card advantage by allowing deck peeking and strategic hand fortification through selection.
Provides resource acceleration with the potential to untap lands, enabling more plays or defenses.
Functions at instant speed, granting flexibility and response opportunities to changing game states.

Text of card

When Oculus is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you may draw a card.

"In its gaze I saw no mercy, no recognition that I was worthy to exist." —Kara Vrist, Neurok agent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Delving into the benefits of the Oculus card, it demands attention for its ability to provide card advantage. With each activation, players can peek into their deck, managing their strategy and fortifying their hand by selecting the best options available.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is the key to outpacing opponents, and Oculus assists in this aspect by potentially untapping lands. This subtle yet impactful ability can lead to more spells being played in a single turn or prepare for unexpected responses during an opponent’s actions.

Instant Speed: One of the most potent features of Oculus is its operation at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to adapt to the evolving battlefield, utilizing the card to optimum effect whenever a window of opportunity cracks open, be it during their turn or in response to an adversary’s moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Necessitates that you discard another card to invoke its effect, potentially depleting your hand and undermining your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Needs a precise combination of blue mana, which can be restrictive and not always conducive to multi-colored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Demands a considerable amount of mana to play, which may slow down your game plan when compared to other options available in the same category.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Oculus can be a flexible addition to numerous deck types. Its ability to provide an early blocker or be sacrificed for card draw makes it a practical choice for decks seeking to balance defense with card advantage.

Combo Potential: With the tendency of blue decks to incorporate draw mechanics, Oculus can seamlessly integrate with strategies that benefit from card draw triggers or graveyard synergies alongside cards that interact with creatures dying.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where efficient resource management is key, Oculus offers a low-cost creature that serves as both a potential deterrent against early aggression and a way to fuel your hand, aligning well with the tempo and resource-dense demands of current competitive play.

How to beat

Oculus is an intriguing creature card that has found its way into some MTG players’ decks due to its ability to provide card draw upon death. To effectively counter Oculus, players should consider strategies that limit its ability to die under the control of its owner. One approach includes using exile removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which remove the creature from the game outright, thus circumventing the card draw ability.

Another strategy involves permanent lockdown methods, such as Pacifism or Darksteel Mutation, which negate the ability of Oculus to attack or block, and hence, its likelihood of dying in combat. It’s also worth noting that strategies that place -1/-1 counters on creatures, or give them -X/-X until end of turn, can decrease Oculus’ toughness without triggering its last known information-based ability.

Lastly, consider leveraging cards that replace or modify the draw effect, such as Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief. These can turn the downside of killing Oculus into an advantage for you. In short, denying the additional card draw or removing Oculus from the game without triggering its ability can greatly diminish its impact on the game.

Cards like Oculus

Oculus is an intriguing creature card that allows players to draw a card upon its departure from the battlefield. This ability can be compared to cards like Elvish Visionary – another low-cost creature that also nets you a card when it enters the battlefield. Oculus, unlike Elvish Visionary, provides its draw effect later in the game, potentially giving you more strategic flexibility.

Another comparable card is Mulldrifter, which has the evasive flying ability and can draw you two cards when it enters the battlefield. While Mulldrifter is more expensive mana-wise than Oculus, it provides an immediate advantage and can be a more impactful presence on the board. However, Oculus has a lower casting cost, making it a viable option for decks that need to efficiently manage their mana resources.

Assessing these creatures in the broader Magic: The Gathering ecosystem, Oculus can be a valued component for decks that capitalize on death triggers or that operate within a strict mana curve. Its low casting cost paired with the potential card advantage makes it an unassuming yet potentially pivotal player in various match-ups.

Cards similar to Oculus by color, type and mana cost

Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oculus MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Oculus and other MTG cards: