Obsessive Search MTG Card


With instant speed and low cost, Obsessive Search offers strategic flexibility and card draw. This card’s potential shines in discard-centric strategies, enhancing deck synergy. Its relevance in MTG is affirmed by its ability to maintain card advantage in disruptive metas.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Madness

Text of card

Draw a card. Madness o U (You may play this card for its madness cost at the time you discard it from your hand.)

The question strained his sanity. The answer snapped it in half.


Cards like Obsessive Search

Obsessive Search is a unique card within the MTG spectrum, offering insights into the fine balance between card draw and graveyard interaction. When compared to cards like Think Twice, you notice a similarity in the advantage of card draw, but Obsessive Search adds a twist with its Madness ability. This means that if you discard it, you can cast it for its Madness cost, potentially turning a disadvantage into a strategic play.

Another parallel can be observed with Quiet Speculation, a card that digs graves rather than drawing cards directly. It targets three cards with flashback, which indirectly can become card draws when played from the graveyard. While Obsessive Search only draws a card, its low cost and synergy with discard strategies make it a versatile addition to decks that capitalize on such tactics.

Analyzing side-by-side, Obsessive Search offers a lower cost and tactical flexibility that appeals to players with a strategy to leverage every card from hand to graveyard. Despite not creating immediate board presence or generating alternate resources like some of its counterparts, its role in decks focused on utilization of the graveyard is undisputedly powerful.

Think Twice - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Think Twice - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Obsessive Search by color, type and mana cost

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Envelop - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Obsessive Search. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Obsessive Search offers the chance to draw a card, potentially giving you the upper hand by expanding your available options each turn. This tactical advantage can be a crucial part of seizing control of the game’s pace.

Resource Acceleration: With its low casting cost and the option to cast it from the graveyard via Madness, Obsessive Search can subtly hasten your resource accumulation, allowing for a more efficient use of mana.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Obsessive Search at instant speed provides a significant strategic benefit. It gives you the flexibility to act in response to your opponent’s moves, keeping them guessing and maintaining a reactive stance as the game unfolds.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Obsessive Search requires discarding a card, situating it as a potential risk in play. In moments where hand size is crucial, deploying it might cost you valuable momentum or key components of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost that demands one Blue, Obsessive Search necessitates color fixing in multi-colored decks. This detail makes it less versatile and could render it a less desirable pick when curating a diverse deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When weighing its ability against its casting cost, Obsessive Search may come up short. Other cards with lower mana investments could provide similar, if not greater, gains without the added condition of discarding, making them potentially more economic and efficient choices for deck builders aiming for optimal resource management.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Obsessive Search is a flexible card that can be easily slotted into various deck archetypes. Its low mana cost and instant speed make it a convenient way to draw cards, keeping your hand full and options open.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on discarding mechanics. As it can be cast from the graveyard, it works exceptionally well with strategies built around self-mill or reanimation, providing you with additional card advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that values card advantage, Obsessive Search maintains relevance. It’s particularly effective in metas with heavy disruption, allowing you to draw and maintain card parity even when resources are scarce.


How to Beat

Obsessive Search is a unique instant in the realm of Magic the Gathering, primarily used for its card draw mechanics with the added perk of the Madness ability. Unlike traditional draw spells, this card can be cast for its Madness cost if it’s discarded, which can be a nuanced yet powerful advantage when synergized correctly with other cards that encourage discarding as part of their cost or effect.

To counteract Obsessive Search, effective strategies include the utilization of discard-penalty cards or leveraging graveyard hate mechanics. These can disrupt your opponent’s strategies that revolve around discarding and playing cards from the graveyard. Additionally, instant-speed counter spells are a usual suspect in hindering the card from being cast altogether, stripping away its draw capability and potential for deck cycling. Another approach involves applying pressure through aggressive board presence, thereby forcing the Obsessive Search player to adapt their strategy or risk losing too much tempo dealing with threats on the board.

Attention to detail and strategic planning are key when facing cards with such versatile casting options. Denying your opponent the opportunity to utilize Obsessive Search’s advantage is a fine method in maintaining the upper hand in your Magic the Gathering matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Obsessive Search may seem like a humble instant in MTG, but its value in card advantage and strategic depth is undeniable. Whether you’re fine-tuning a blue-focused deck or experimenting with graveyard synergies, considering this card can provide unexpected benefits and keep your hand robust. At BurnMana, we encourage players to dig deeper into the synergistic opportunities this card provides. Don’t miss out on optimizing your deck’s performance or outmaneuvering opponents with clever plays. If you find yourself intrigued by Obsessive Search’s unique offering within the MTG world, join us to discover more insights and elevate your gameplay to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Obsessive Search MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Vintage Masters, 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 Obsessive Search and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Obsessive Search Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Jim Nelson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 431997NormalBlackJim Nelson
22014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 832015NormalBlackJim Nelson
32023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 612015NormalBlackJim Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Obsessive Search has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal