Greel, Mind Raker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Horror Spellshaper
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	66
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brom

Key Takeaways

Activating Greel’s ability at instant speed allows for strategic hand disruption aligning with your gameplay pace.
Requiring card discards from both players, Greel, Mind Raker can be a double-edged sword in hand management.
Inclusion in your MTG collection harnesses the potential for disrupting opponents’ strategies effectively.

Text of card

o Xo B, oc T, Discard two cards from your hand: Target player discards X cards at random from his or her hand.

"You're Latulla's gift to me, and I always play with my presents."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Greel, Mind Raker’s activated ability can cause significant card disadvantage for your opponent, while you selectively keep the cards you need. This gives you a meaningful edge in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: While Greel itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, disrupting your opponent’s hand can slow their progression and give you the tempo advantage. You’re effectively accelerating your own board state by hindrance.

Instant Speed: Although Greel’s power lies in its activated ability, it’s worth noting that you can utilize this at instant speed. That means you can wait to see how your opponent’s turn develops before deciding to strip their hand, making Greel a formidable force during any phase of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Greel, Mind Raker’s ability comes with a price – you must discard a card. This can be a significant setback if you’re already dealing with a depleted hand, potentially limiting your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Greel demands a specific blend of mana, including both black and generic. This can be a stumbling block in decks that are not heavily based on black mana, thus restricting the card’s versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of 3B for an activated ability that targets only one player, Greel can feel somewhat costly. In decks that aim for efficiency, there are other discard-enabling cards that accomplish similar goals with less mana investment, allowing for faster gameplay and better mana allocation throughout the match.

Reasons to Include Greel, Mind Raker in Your Collection

Versatility: Greel, Mind Raker offers utility in being both a potent threat and a source of hand disruption. This makes it a flexible addition to decks that seek to control the opponent’s options while developing a board presence.

Combo Potential: This card can shine in combo decks that focus on discarding cards. It can easily synergize with reanimation strategies or other cards that benefit from the discard mechanic, making it a strategic pivot for combo executions.

Meta-Relevance: As metas evolve, decks that disrupt opponents gain significance. Greel, Mind Raker’s ability to force discards can be especially relevant against decks that rely on carefully curated hands, making it a timely card to have in your arsenal.

How to beat

Greel, Mind Raker adds a sinister twist to the control archetype in Magic: The Gathering. It allows a player to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard cards, making it a powerful force in any match. Unlike typical discard spells, Greel can target multiple cards and tends to have a snowball effect as your opponent’s options dwindle.

Defeating a player wielding this potent card involves strategic hand management and timing. Cards with madness or abilities that trigger when discarded offer a strong counter, converting a disadvantage into a surprise benefit. Additionally, having a robust graveyard strategy can turn the tables by making discards less detrimental or even advantageous. Consider employing spells that draw cards or return cards from the graveyard to your hand to replenish your resources.

Greel, Mind Raker demands respect on the battlefield, but it does not spell defeat. With the right deck construction and strategic foresight, it is indeed possible to mitigate its impact and emerge victorious, even when facing the daunting task of losing precious cards from your hand.

Cards like Greel, Mind Raker

Greel, Mind Raker offers a unique set of abilities for players in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship is seen with other hand disruption cards, but Greel stands out with its targeted approach. When pitted against Hypnotic Specter, you can notice some differences. The Specter requires an attack to trigger its ability, while Greel gives you direct control to force your opponent to discard. Conversely, Specter’s effect is random, but Greel allows for precision, affecting the strategic depth of your play.

Another card worth comparing is Liliana’s Specter, which causes each opponent to discard a card upon entry. While the Specter impacts all opponents, it’s a one-time effect, whereas Greel’s ability can be used repeatedly. Additionally, Greel’s effect scales with your mana investment, allowing for potentially greater impact later in the game. However, Greel’s casting cost is higher and requires specific board conditions to outshine the immediacy of Liliana’s Specter’s discard ability.

Assessing the cards side by side, Greel, Mind Raker fits well within the hand disruption theme but requires strategic setup and mana to maximize its potential. It’s a card that can consistently disrupt your opponent’s plan if played wisely.

Cards similar to Greel, Mind Raker by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Greel, Mind Raker MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Greel, Mind Raker and other MTG cards: