Cognivore MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	8
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Lhurgoyf
Abilities	Flying
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Power	*
Toughness	*
Number	77
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Rex

Key Takeaways

Cognivore’s power scales with graveyards’ instants, giving you an advantage without extra resource investment.
Its presence can influence opponents’ strategies, indirectly affecting their resource management.
Despite its strengths, Cognivore’s high mana cost and color specificity can limit its versatility.

Text of card

Flying Cognivore's power and toughness are each equal to the number of instant cards in all graveyards.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cognivore’s power and toughness are directly tied to the number of instant cards in all players’ graveyards, potentially growing larger as the game progresses. This natural scaling can outpace opponents’ creatures, hence serving as a source of card advantage without expending additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Cognivore itself doesn’t produce mana or accelerate resources in a traditional sense, its presence can deter opponents from using their instants, indirectly inhibiting their ability to use their mana and resources effectively.

Instant Speed: Cognivore may not have instant speed itself, but it greatly benefits from a strategy that includes instant spells. Since the creature thrives in environments filled with instants, building a deck around Cognivore naturally encourages the inclusion of various instants, allowing you to interact on your opponent’s turn and keeping your options flexible.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cognivore obliges you to discard from your hand, which can backfire if your hand is already depleted or the discarded card is vital for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Cognivore’s casting cost is exclusively blue, making it less versatile for multicolor decks not heavily focused on blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight-mana investment needed to summon Cognivore, it comes into play later in the game when opponents may have established a formidable position or defenses, potentially reducing its impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cognivore offers flexibility in deck-building, as it grows stronger with every instant in all graveyards. It seamlessly adapts to various strategies, thriving in environments rich with instant-based spells.

Combo Potential: This card can become a formidable threat when paired with ways to fill either player’s graveyard with instants. In combination with mill or self-mill strategies, Cognivore’s potential to become a game-ending creature grows exponentially.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where players frequently use instants, Cognivore’s strength naturally aligns with the pace and style of the game. Its relevance increases as it capitalizes on the prevailing use of instant spells in competitive play, making it a valuable addition for those looking to outmaneuver opponents in creature-heavy matchups.

How to beat

Cognivore presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a creature that grows stronger with each instant card in an opponent’s graveyard. To outsmart this voracious adversary, one must consider strategies that involve graveyard management. Nihil Spellbomb, for example, is an artifact that can be deployed swiftly to rid a graveyard of all its contents, effectively neutering the power of a Cognivore in play.

Another potent method is the implementation of cards like Relic of Progenitus, which can continually exile cards from graveyards turn after turn. The objective is to keep instant cards from accumulating, thus ensuring that the Cognivore remains a less threatening entity on the board. Lastly, rest assured that traditional removal spells like Path to Exile remain effective to dispatch it directly, regardless of its size at the time.

Managing graveyards and removals are key tactics to consider. By leveraging these strategies, players can navigate the threats posed by Cognivore and maintain control over the game. Understanding the importance of graveyard dynamics is crucial when facing such a creature and can lead to a decisive advantage.

Cards like Cognivore

Cognivore holds a unique position as a creature spell in Magic: The Gathering, drawing comparisons to other creatures that thrive on the spells in graveyards. Cards like Spellheart Chimera gain strength from the number of instants and sorceries residing in your graveyard. Both are aerial threats that capitalize on spell-slinging styles of play. Cognivore, however, directly correlates its power and toughness with the count of instants alone, in all graveyards, potentially making it a larger force.

Another akin card is Nivmagus Elemental, which offers a different approach by letting you exile an instant or sorcery spell you control to put two +1/+1 counters on it. Cognivore’s ability doesn’t give permanent strength to the creature itself but adapts dynamically to the state of graveyards throughout the game. It’s a constant variable, presenting gameplay that evolves with every instant cast or countered.

Comparatively, Cognivore can be a game-ending threat if left unchecked due to its potential size increase vs. the more consistent build-up of Nivmagus Elemental. Casting Cognivore requires strategic timing and graveyard manipulation for it to truly dominate the battlefield.

Cards similar to Cognivore by color, type and mana cost

Brinelin, the Moon Kraken - MTG Card versions

Sphinx of the Second Sun - MTG Card versions

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions

Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cognivore MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Cognivore and other MTG cards: