Peek MTG Card


Instant speed of Peek allows for tactical plays, fitting well into strategic MTG deck building. Knowing an opponent’s hand provides a significant advantage, crucial for controlling the game’s flow. However, the card’s specific mana cost and discard requirement may limit its utility across various decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Look at target player's hand. Draw a card.

Sometimes you have to read between the minds.


Cards like Peek

Peek is a subtle yet powerful spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing players with a quick glimpse into an opponent’s hand alongside the boon of drawing a card. It aligns with the mechanics of cards like Gitaxian Probe, which also enables a look at an opponent’s hand and card draw, but at the additional cost of life or mana. However, Peek edges out with its instant speed, allowing strategic plays during an opponent’s turn.

Another kin in this cast is Telepathy, an enchantment that continuously reveals all hands on the table for the duration of its stay on the battlefield. Unlike the transitory insights offered by Peek, Telepathy permanently lifts the veil of mystery, shifting the dynamic of the entire game. Lastly, we examine Quicken, a spell that gifts speed to sorcery spells and draws a card. It doesn’t grant the same intel as Peek, but it’s the unexpected quickening of spells that can catch opponents off guard.

Analyzing the strategic depth and advantages of Peek among its counterparts, it holds its ground as a desirable choice for players seeking control and informed decisions in the flow of Magic: The Gathering gameplay, all while keeping resources replenished.

Gitaxian Probe - MTG Card versions
Telepathy - MTG Card versions
Quicken - MTG Card versions
Gitaxian Probe - MTG Card versions
Telepathy - MTG Card versions
Quicken - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Peek by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - 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
Twiddle - 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
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - 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
Twiddle - 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 Peek. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Caw-GatesCaw-Gates PauperCaw-GatesPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03
Lurrus SagaLurrus Saga VintageLurrus SagaVintage League 2024-03-20
4c Underworld Breach4c Underworld Breach VintageUnderworld BreachVintage League 2024-04-23
4c Tempo4c Tempo VintageBlue TempoVintage League 2024-04-23
WUGWUG PauperPauper League 2024-03-16
Azorius TribeAzorius Tribe Pauper2° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana
Jeskai TempoJeskai Tempo VintageBlue TempoVintage League 2024-03-22
Murktide RegentMurktide Regent ModernMurktide RegentModern Preliminary 2024-03-11 (1)
DoomsdayDoomsday VintageDoomsdayVintage Challenge 32 2023-12-17
Azorius ComboAzorius Combo Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Peek, you get a glimpse at your opponent’s hand, giving you critical information that can translate into strategic advantage over the course of the game. Knowing what your opponent is holding allows for more informed decision-making, helping you to play around potential counters or threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Peek itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the knowledge it provides can help inform your resource management. By understanding what’s in your opponent’s hand, you can better plan your land drops and spell casting to maximize efficiency and stay ahead in the mana race.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Peek slots perfectly into the pacing of a highly tactical game. It allows players to keep up their defenses by holding back mana and can be used reactively in response to an opponent’s end-step or actions, ensuring you’re always playing with the most current information.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Peek necessitates that you discard another card, which may not be optimal when you’re trying to maintain a strong hand presence. This requirement can significantly hinder your strategy, especially if you’re relying on card advantage to outpace your opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Peek’s blue mana cost makes it exclusive to blue-aligned and multicolor decks. This aspect can restrict the versatility of the card in your collection, particularly if you aim to integrate it into a deck that doesn’t run blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Peek itself may not have a high mana cost, it can set back your board development if you’re required to keep mana open to cast it at a strategic moment. This can be particularly burdensome during early game turns where deploying creatures or other threats is crucial.


Reasons to Include Peek in Your Collection

Versatility: Peek offers the ability to look at an opponent’s hand, which is universally beneficial. It can fit in various control, combo, and tempo decks, enhancing your strategic planning and decision-making.

Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with other spells that profit from the knowledge of the opponent’s hand, or ones that require a full understanding of the game state to execute a winning combination.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where knowledge is power and being one step ahead can dictate the outcome of a match, Peek’s low mana cost and instant speed keep it relevant. It also synergizes with cards looking to capitalize on casting spells on the opponent’s turn or those that reward players for drawing additional cards.


How to beat

Peek may seem like a minor threat in the vast world of spell-slinging in Magic: The Gathering. Its simple effect of letting a player view an opponent’s hand while drawing a card seems straightforward, yet it holds strategic depth. With information being a form of currency in MTG, undermining Peek’s impact is a mistake. To combat Peek, the key lies in misdirection and timing. Cards with Cycling or Flash mechanics can drastically change the contents of your hand after your opponent has already seen it, reducing Peek’s informational advantage.

Consider using instant-speed spells or abilities in response to Peek to alter the information your opponent gains. This can involve playing an Instant or activating an ability that causes you to draw and discard, or shuffle your library. Additionally, having cards like Leyline of Sanctity, which gives you hexproof, can completely negate Peek by preventing your opponent from targeting you in the first place. Given the right conditions, turning your opponent’s Peek into a simple card draw with minimal strategic gain for them is entirely possible.

Ideally, a player facing Peek adjusts their playstyle to be unpredictable and keeps essential spells in reserve. By understanding and strategizing against your opponent’s knowledge, Peek’s influence can be minimized, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Peek in MTG is essential for any player looking to gain an edge. While the benefits of this instant can be game-changing, it’s just as important to consider its drawbacks when building your deck. If Peek’s strategic advantage resonates with your play style, don’t hesitate to make it a staple in your arsenal. Dive deeper into our resources to master not just Peek, but the full spectrum of similar cards and tactics that can complement it. Keep your gameplay sharp and informed. Enhance your MTG experience today by exploring more with us.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Peek Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 911997NormalBlackAdam Rex
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 942003NormalBlackAdam Rex
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4012015NormalBlackKawasumi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Peek has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal