Mischief and Mayhem MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set name	Born of the Gods
Set code	BNG
Number	126
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zack Stella

Key Takeaways

Boosts creatures significantly, turning the board into a formidable presence and tipping scales in your favor.
Instant speed play allows for surprise maneuvers, altering combat outcomes, and gaining an edge.
Demands careful deck construction and resource management, as it has specific cost and discard requirements.

Text of card

Up to two target creatures each get +4/+4 until end of turn.

"The false god Xenagos treats the whole world as his rollick site. If his whims are left unchecked, Theros will be reduced to rubble and ashes." —Elspeth

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mischief and Mayhem shines in card interactions by forcing multiple creatures to become significantly stronger. This enhancement can equate to drawing into additional, high-impact creatures, thus outpacing your opponent in terms of threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct method of adding resources, the power boost provided can accelerate your journey to an eminent victory. By enabling a more impactful attack phase, it could put you several turns ahead of your opponent in the race to win.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Mischief and Mayhem at instant speed gives players the element of surprise and strategic depth. Deploy it right before combat to catch your opponent unaware, potentially upsetting their planned blocks and combat math, leading to a favorable outcome for you.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mischief and Mayhem compel you to discard a card to unleash its full effect, often putting you at a resource disadvantage especially when your hand might be your last line of strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s specific mana cost of both green and generic mana may not seamlessly fit into all deck archetypes, especially those that do not operate primarily on green mana or multi-colored decks that require a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With creatures and other game-changing spells competing for the same mana slot, allocating five mana for this particular effect might impact your ability to efficiently develop your board and maintain a lead in the game’s critical moments.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mischief and Mayhem boasts flexibility, as it enhances creature-based decks. By buffing multiple creatures substantially, it can turn any unassuming board into a formidable threat.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that put a quantity of creatures on the field quickly. It can serve as a game-ending blow when paired with decks that swarm the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to upset the balance in a single turn, Mischief and Mayhem can tip the scales in metas favoring creature-heavy decks or against decks that lack mass removal.

How to Beat Mischief and Mayhem

Overcoming the challenges posed by the Mischief and Mayhem card demands strategic prowess and a deep understanding of Magic: The Gathering’s intricate interactions. This green spell can dramatically alter the board by powering up two creatures with a significant boost in strength and toughness. As such, effective counterplay often revolves around versatile removal spells that can manage multiple threats simultaneously or disrupting your opponent’s strategies before they amass the needed mana for the spell.

Control decks, particularly those boasting sweepers like Wrath of God or Doomskar, remain a solid choice, as they can clear the board regardless of the creatures’ sizes post-buff. Another approach involves leaving mana open for instant-speed interaction, allowing players to respond directly to Mischief and Mayhem. Counterspells or instant removal such as Path to Exile provide critical opportunities to neutralize the threat before the combat phase can benefit from those increased stats.

Therefore, preparation and prediction are key. Anticipating when your opponent might cast this game-turning spell and maintaining a responsive hand could mean the difference between defeat and a triumph against the might of Mischief and Mayhem.

Cards like Mischief and Mayhem

Mischief and Mayhem belongs to the green spells of Magic: The Gathering that focus on boosting creature strength. Similar to Overrun, this card has the potential to amplify your creatures’ power and toughness significantly for a turn. While Overrun also gives your creatures trample, which Mischief and Mayhem lacks, the latter has the benefit of being more cost-effective and the buff is focused on two creatures which can be pivotal in focused attack strategies.

In the context of flexible buff spells, Giant Growth is another staple with a lesser mana cost that gives a temporary boost to one creature. Although Giant Growth’s effect is smaller, it’s an instant, allowing for surprise tactical advantages during combat. Then there’s Invigorate, an alternative that can potentially cost zero mana if you grant your opponent 3 life, this can lead to strategic plays without tapping any mana resources and can influence the tide of battle in a moment’s notice.

Assessing these alternatives highlights Mischief and Mayhem’s place in creature enhancement spells. Its ability to alter the board significantly for a lower cost, although without granting trample, makes it a considerable option in decks that focus on overpowering the opponent with fewer, stronger creatures.

Cards similar to Mischief and Mayhem by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mischief and Mayhem MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Mischief and Mayhem and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mischief and Mayhem has restrictions

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