Mischievous Poltergeist MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 74
1999-04-21 - Number 144
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Pay 1 life: Regenerate
"The past is a ghost that haunts you from the moment it exists until the moment you don't." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Mischievous Poltergeist
For players curious about the unique offerings of Mischievous Poltergeist within the vast library of cards in MTG, comparisons help highlight its distinctive role. Mischievous Poltergeist, like its spectral counterparts, possesses a resilience that comes from its regenerate ability, a trait it shares with creatures like Drudge Skeletons. These cards provide staying power on the battlefield but at different costs. While Mischievous Poltergeist can prevent damage for the price of paying life, Drudge Skeletons requires mana to regenerate.
Another analogous card is Squee, Goblin Nabob, known for his relentless return to a player’s hand from the graveyard. Though Squee does not protect himself in the same way as the regenerate ability, he embodies the persistent nature of annoyance that Mischievous Poltergeist brings to the table. Furthermore, the Poltergeist strides alongside creatures like Wall of Souls, which turns potential harm into a strategy by dealing damage equivalent to the amount it would have taken. It presents a different but equally frustrating challenge for opponents, underlining the values hidden within these unassuming cards.
Engagement with Mischievous Poltergeist and its kin reveals a multifaceted approach to MTG gameplay. Ultimately, while the Poltergeist thrives in a niche of mischief-making and durability, its comparison to other cards opens the door to diverse strategies and deck-building opportunities.
Cards similar to Mischievous Poltergeist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mischievous Poltergeist can regenerate, potentially saving it from destruction and allowing you to preserve your board presence and card advantage in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana acceleration, its ability to remain on the battlefield can indirectly conserve resources that might otherwise be spent on replacing creatures.
Instant Speed: While the Mischievous Poltergeist itself doesn’t have an instant speed ability, its regeneration can be activated at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility during your turn or in response to opponents’ actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The rise of Mischievous Poltergeist on the battlefield comes with a price. Players must be ready to part with another card from their hand which can be a hefty sacrifice especially when hand size is already waning.
Specific Mana Cost: Mischievous Poltergeist demands three black mana to cast. This specific mana cost can be restrictive, tethering it tightly to mono-black or color-specific decks, potentially excluding a colorful variety of other builds from giving it a home.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weaving this specter into your game plan costs a total of three mana, which might feel steep considering there are other creatures that can offer similar or better advantages for the same, or less, investment. Advanced players often weigh the benefits against the mana commitment heavily when deck building.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mischievous Poltergeist boasts a flexible nature, being a possible inclusion in decks that capitalize on life gain mechanics or need a resilient creature. With its flying ability, it can consistently chip away at opponents’ life totals or act as a blocker when needed.
Combo Potential: This ghostly creature has a built-in capability to become nearly indestructible by paying life. This opens up intriguing combos with cards that benefit from life payments or need an indestructible creature for synergistic effects.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games drag out, Mischievous Poltergeist can shine. Its endurance in drawn out battles, and the nuisance it causes for control players makes it a card that can adapt to diverse Meta challenges.
How to Confront the Challenge
Overcoming Mischievous Poltergeist at the table is all about recognizing its strengths and the situations which allow it to thrive. This creature’s ability to avoid dying by paying life is unique, but it also presents an opportunity for strategic play. Generally, cards that can remove creatures without dealing damage or disrupting life totals are the way to go when handling tricky threats like this.
Spells that exile, force sacrifices, or alter card characteristics can circumvent the Poltergeist’s resilience. Removal spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares work exceptionally well since they don’t deal damage and directly exile the creature. Another tactic is to use enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize the creature without triggering its life payment ability. Strategies employing graveyard hate also prevent the Poltergeist from coming back once it’s dealt with.
Players need to utilize their removal resources judiciously, while also applying pressure to exhaust the opponent’s life reserves, rendering the Mischievous Poltergeist’s ability unsustainable. In essence, success against such a card lies in adaptation, understanding the unique challenges it presents, and managing resources efficiently to ensure victories in your duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mischievous Poltergeist MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Mischievous Poltergeist and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Mischievous Poltergeist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by DiTerlizzi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 74 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 144 | 1997 | Normal | White | DiTerlizzi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mischievous Poltergeist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |