Prying Questions MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2016-07-22 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eldritch Moon |
| Set code | EMN |
| Number | 101 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Palumbo |
Text of card
Target opponent loses 3 life and puts a card from his or her hand on top of his or her library.
What remained of the Lunarch Inquisition found new ways to extract confessions.
Cards like Prying Questions
Prying Questions is an intriguing spell in Magic: The Gathering that can affect the tempo of the game by causing an opponent to lose 3 life and put a card from their hand on top of their library. This disruption is somewhat akin to the mechanics provided by cards like Distress, which also targets an opponent’s hand but instead offers the ability to choose and discard a nonland card. While Distress gives players direct choice, Prying Questions adds the drawback of life loss to the opponent, potentially impacting their strategy.
Another similar card is Reaver Ambush, which exiles a creature with power 3 or less. Prying Questions does not allow creature removal, but it can disrupt nonland cards without having to target creatures specifically. On the other hand, Painful Quandary forces opponents to discard whenever they cast a spell, albeit at a higher casting cost than Prying Questions.
Each card has its niche, but Prying Questions uniquely combines life loss with the psychological edge of making an opponent recycle their cards. This blend of pressure and disruption makes it a unique tool for players designing a deck focused on controlling the flow of the game.
Cards similar to Prying Questions by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Prying Questions digs deep into your opponent’s deck, revealing their secrets and offering the chance to disrupt their strategy. This insight can tilt the scale of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This card not only provides valuable information but also sets the stage for future plays. By forcing your opponent to discard a card from their hand, Prying Questions effectively accelerates your resource advantage over them.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Prying Questions at instant speed ensures maximum flexibility during gameplay. You can strategically decide the most opportune moment to unravel your opponent’s plans, all while keeping mana available for other crucial responses or end-of-turn surprises.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Prying Questions necessitates that you discard a card in order to play it. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is running low on cards, leaving you at a disadvantage as you’re forced to lose resources to leverage its effect.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding one black mana, this card is inherently restrictive for multicolored decks. Those not running black may find it incompatible or may need to adjust their mana base, potentially compromising the deck’s consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its cost of three mana, the outcomes of Prying Questions may not always align with the strategic needs of the moment, especially with alternative cards in the same mana range that could provide more immediate or versatile benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Prying Questions offers players a unique blend by disrupting opponents and providing insight into their plans, making it a robust inclusion across various decks that focus on control or informational advantage.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks that capitalize on opponents’ discard strategies or those that benefit from knowledge of the opponent’s hand to plan out subsequent turns with precision.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where strategic play and hand disruption are key, Prying Questions is a timely addition that can tilt the balance in your favor against decks that heavily rely on synergy and specific combos.
How to Beat Prying Questions
Identifying strategies to counter pivotal cards is essential in MTG. Prying Questions, a card that forces opponents to lose 3 life unless they sacrifice a creature or discard a card, can disrupt your hand and board state. To effectively neutralize this threat, players need to maintain card advantage while managing their life total efficiently.
Tuning your deck with instant-speed spells that can generate creatures or draw cards can help buffer against the forced sacrifice or discard. Cards like Raise the Alarm create creatures during your opponent’s turn, mitigating the need to sacrifice valuable assets. In terms of preserving your hand, keep an eye on cards like Elixir of Immortality to reclaim resources from your graveyard, offsetting the discard aspect of Prying Questions.
Ultimately, planning for resilience in your deck construction can turn the tide against disruptive cards like Prying Questions. Balancing your approach to both maintain life and ensure a steady flow of creatures and cards will help you maintain control and beat the challenges Prying Questions presents in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Prying Questions MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Prying Questions and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Prying Questions has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Prying Questions card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | Prying Questions can target an opponent who has no cards in hand. That player just loses 3 life. |