Gitaxian Probe MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Peeking at an opponent’s hand, Gitaxian Probe provides a significant strategic advantage in MTG.
  2. Phyrexian mana cost enhances spellcasting flexibility, letting players manage resources effectively.
  3. Utilization at instant speed allows Gitaxian Probe to impact the game without slowing down the user’s tempo.

Text of card

({PU} can be paid with either or 2 life.) Look at target player's hand. Draw a card.

"My flesh holds no secrets, monster. The spirit of Mirrodin will fight on." —Vy Covalt, Mirran resistance


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gitaxian Probe provides you with a peek at your opponent’s hand, giving you valuable information about their strategy and possible plays. Additionally, it allows you to draw a card, which replaces itself in your hand, ensuring that you aren’t losing out on card quantity.

Resource Acceleration: By only costing one Phyrexian mana, which can be paid with either one blue mana or two life, Gitaxian Probe accelerates your resources by not consuming much of your mana pool, enabling you to deploy more spells or keep mana available for responses.

Instant Speed: Gitaxian Probe can be cast at instant speed, which means you can use it during your opponent’s turn to gain immediate insight into their plans. This flexibility allows for strategic plays, keeping you one step ahead without sacrificing the pace of your own gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though Gitaxian Probe offers the option to pay life instead of mana, this doesn’t negate the fact that it also requires you to discard the card, which means you lose potential for hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Gitaxian Probe without paying life, you must have access to blue mana. This necessity can pose a restraint, as not all decks are configured to generate that particular mana seamlessly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While paying two life as an alternative is appealing to many players, in terms of card economy, two life for the information and card draw provided can be steep compared to other options. Such a cost requires careful consideration within a game where life totals are a critical resource.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gitaxian Probe offers unparalleled utility in a broad variety of decks. Its ability to peek into an opponent’s hand while replacing itself with a fresh card makes it a staple in formats where it’s legal.

Combo Potential: Knowing an opponent’s hand contents is a significant advantage, particularly in decks that aim to win through combo sequences. Gitaxian Probe can ensure the path is clear for a game-winning play without spending mana by using its Phyrexian mana cost.

Meta-Relevance: In competitive play, information is power. Gitaxian Probe’s insight into opponents’ strategies can provide a significant edge, adapting your plays to the ever-changing metagame dynamics.


How to beat

Gitaxian Probe presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG cards, as it allows players to glimpse into an opponent’s hand for a mere two life points, or a single blue mana. Its ability to provide information and fuel graveyard strategies for no card cost is a potent advantage.

To counteract Gitaxian Probe’s effect, it’s crucial to limit the accessible information. Employing cards that force the Probe player to discard or utilizing effects that allow you to play with the top card of your library revealed can diminish the advantage that Gitaxian Probe offers. Additionally, hand disruption tools can effectively neutralize the insight Gitaxian Probe provides by removing key components from their hand before they have the chance to act on the information gained.

It’s also beneficial to play a strategy less reliant on secretive information. Aggressive decks that put pressure on the opponent may not be significantly hindered by the opponent knowing their hand if the strategy is straightforward: deploy threats and attack. Consequently, by minimizing the impact of the knowledge gained from Gitaxian Probe, you can mitigate one of its most powerful aspects.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an ongoing saga of strategy and skill, where every card can tip the scales in your favor. Gitaxian Probe is a unique tool that offers a look into your opponent’s hand while keeping your hand count intact. Whether you’re playing a fast-paced modern match or crafting your next killer combo in legacy, the intel and card advantage this card provides are indispensable. Explore further how Gitaxian Probe can be integrated into your strategy, and understand how to harness its full potential in your deck. For an in-depth guide, join fellow enthusiasts and experts to further enrich your MTG wisdom.


Cards like Gitaxian Probe

The presence of Gitaxian Probe in Magic: The Gathering’s pool of peek and draw cards is noteworthy because it combines minor life or mana investment with considerable game advantages. When we look at Peek, which also permits a player to view an opponent’s hand, we notice it lacks the card drawing benefit that Gitaxian Probe offers, making Gitaxian Probe superior in terms of card advantage.

Telepathy is another spell that allows players to survey the battlefield of concealed information, giving them continuous insight into all opponents’ hands without the card draw. Although this is a powerful tool for information gathering, it does not replace itself in your hand like Gitaxian Probe does. Conversely, Street Wraith offers the cycling ability to draw a card at the cost of some life, similar to Gitaxian Probe’s Phyrexian mana option. However, Street Wraith doesn’t provide the same instant intel on your opponent’s strategies.

All things considered, Gitaxian Probe holds a unique position in Magic: The Gathering. Its low cost and ability to grant immediate knowledge about an opponent’s hand while replacing itself in your own hand makes it an exceptional card in strategies that value knowledge and card economy.

Peek - MTG Card versions
Telepathy - MTG Card versions
Street Wraith - MTG Card versions
Peek - Odyssey (ODY)
Telepathy - Urza's Saga (USG)
Street Wraith - Future Sight (FUT)

Cards similar to Gitaxian Probe by color, type and mana cost

Drafna's Restoration - MTG Card versions
Reconstruction - MTG Card versions
Psychic Purge - MTG Card versions
Energy Tap - MTG Card versions
Mind Bomb - MTG Card versions
Recall - MTG Card versions
Portent - MTG Card versions
Taunt - MTG Card versions
Sorcerous Sight - MTG Card versions
Prosperity - MTG Card versions
Eye Spy - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Hand - MTG Card versions
Broken Dam - MTG Card versions
Index - MTG Card versions
Extract - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Secretkeeper // Venture Deeper - MTG Card versions
Preordain - MTG Card versions
Serum Visions - MTG Card versions
Ponder - MTG Card versions
Breakthrough - MTG Card versions
Drafna's Restoration - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Reconstruction - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Psychic Purge - Masters Edition (ME1)
Energy Tap - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Mind Bomb - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Recall - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Portent - The List (PLST)
Taunt - Portal (POR)
Sorcerous Sight - Portal (POR)
Prosperity - Commander 2013 (C13)
Eye Spy - Starter 1999 (S99)
Sleight of Hand - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Broken Dam - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Index - Magic 2013 (M13)
Extract - Odyssey (ODY)
Merfolk Secretkeeper // Venture Deeper - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Preordain - Doctor Who (WHO)
Serum Visions - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Ponder - Doctor Who (WHO)
Breakthrough - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gitaxian Probe MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and New Phyrexia, 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 Gitaxian Probe and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gitaxian Probe Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2011-05-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 468692003normalblackTrevor Claxton
22011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 352003normalblackChippy
32012-01-01Friday Night Magic 2012F12 122003normalblackTrevor Claxton
42020-09-26The ListPLST NPH-352003normalblackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gitaxian Probe has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernBanned
OathbreakerLegal
PauperBanned
VintageRestricted
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-06-01 A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid.
2011-06-01 As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X.
2011-06-01 If you’re at 1 life or less, you can’t pay 2 life.
2011-06-01 Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can’t add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools.
2011-06-01 The targeted player may have no cards in their hand. You’ll still draw a card.
2011-06-01 To calculate the converted mana cost of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1.

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