Psionic Snoop MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Connive, Flash |
| Released | 2022-04-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
| Set code | SNC |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 53 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Marcela Medeiros |
Text of card
Flash When Psionic Snoop enters the battlefield, it connives. (Draw a card, then discard a card. If you discarded a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
She knows your next move before you do.
Exploring the Unique Mechanics of Psionic Snoop
In the realm of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Psionic Snoop establishes its distinct niche. Comparable to the infamous Persistent Petitioners, it allows for deck manipulation. However, Psionic Snoop comes with a twist—upon entering the battlefield or attacking, it not only lets you peek at the top card of your library but you may also cast sorceries and instants from the top of your deck as long as you maintain control of Psionic Snoop.
Melding strategy with Psionic Snoop can remind seasoned players of Augur of Bolas, which provides an instant or sorcery card upon entering the battlefield. Yet, Psionic Snoop grants continuous access to top deck magic, a feature the Augur lacks. Moreover, its kinship with Future Sight is evident, sharing the ability to cast the top card of your deck. However, unlike Future Sight, Psionic Snoop is a creature, making it potentially more synergistic in creature-based decks and vulnerable to removal.
Cards like Psionic Snoop
Psionic Snoop stands out amongst MTG cards for its specificity, akin to the well-known Oracle of Mul Daya. Like the Oracle, Psionic Snoop allows for playing with the top card of your library revealed, and in both instances, the cards may be played as though they were in your hand. Psionic Snoop, however, leans into the blue mage’s love for spells, enabling the casting of instants and sorceries, something the Oracle reserves for lands. This advantage cannot be understated as it can offer an unprecedented level of strategic depth and surprise.
Another relative in the scope of prediction is Precognition Field, offering a similar top-deck casting advantage for noncreature spells. Psionic Snoop, though, brings additional flexibility with its creature type and immediate impact upon hitting the board. Making a decision among these options comes down to the intended deck strategy and desired game tempo. Psionic Snoop carves its path in MTG’s extensive library by granting spell-slingers a new way to mystify and outmaneuver opponents with foreknowledge and strategic casting directly from the library’s top.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Psionic Snoop offers a steady flow of card knowledge which is pivotal in crafting your strategy to outpace opponents. Each time it’s activated, you peek at the top card of your library, an action that subtly boosts your ability to make informed decisions turn after turn.
Resource Acceleration: This sneaky spellcaster utilizes an activated ability to play the top card of your library, potentially ramping up your maneuverability. By effectively extending your hand to the top of your deck, Psionic Snoop can lead to a crucial uptick in resource deployment.
Instant Speed: While Psionic Snoop itself may not be an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This grants you the agility to react to opponents’ moves or optimize your own plays by sneaking a peek or casting the top card right when it matters most, keeping opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Psionic Snoop requires a card to be discarded to activate its abilities. This can deplete your hand and reduce your options for future plays, which could be particularly detrimental if you’re already behind in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates both blue and black mana to cast, making it a somewhat less versatile option for players not running a deck that supports these colors. Such a requirement can constrain deck building and limit the card’s applications to specific deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that can be seen as steep relative to its immediate board impact, Psionic Snoop might not be the most mana-efficient choice. Options available could either provide more immediate value or require less mana investment, thus allowing for more flexible gameplay. Players might consider the cost-benefit of including it in a deck that requires nimble and low-cost solutions.
Reasons to Include Psionic Snoop in Your Collection
Versatility: Psionic Snoop offers a unique skill set that suits a range of blue-based control or trickster decks, with its ability to give insight into the top card of each player’s library, making it adaptable for various strategic plays.
Combo Potential: Given its ability to interact with the top card of the library, Psionic Snoop can be synergistic with cards that manipulate or benefit from library order, providing fertile ground for innovative combo builds.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts, understanding your opponents’ potential plays becomes invaluable. Psionic Snoop slides into this niche, providing ongoing reconnaissance that can tilt games in your favor against diverse decks that dominate the field.
How to beat
Countering the Psionic Snoop in your MTG matchups involves strategic plays and a good understanding of its mechanics. This intriguing creature card can give opponents an edge through its deck manipulation and card draw capabilities, which is why disruption is key. Tools like instant-speed removal spells can effectively deal with it before its controller reaps the benefits. Similarly, hand attack strategies to pre-emptively remove it from your opponent’s grip can prevent it from hitting the battlefield in the first place.
Moreover, control decks with counterspells are particularly adept at keeping Psionic Snoop in check. It’s crucial to maintain open mana to respond whenever it’s cast. Additionally, graveyard hate cards neutralize the advantage gained from any creatures it might help place in the graveyard. Preventing the combo pieces that work in tandem with Psionic Snoop from resolving is another effective strategy, forcing opponents to rely less on synergistic plays and more on standalone card strength. Lastly, since it’s a creature, board wipes can clear it away if it’s already in play, thus hindering the strategic plans of your adversary.
Ultimately, preemptive measures combined with reactive tools can safeguard your game against the threats posed by Psionic Snoop, allowing you to maintain control of the game state and emerge victorious.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Psionic Snoop MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Psionic Snoop 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Psionic Snoop has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Psionic Snoop card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to connive but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still connives. If you discard a nonland card this way, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything. Abilities that trigger “when -hat creature] connives” will trigger. |
| 2022-04-29 | If no card is discarded, most likely because that player's hand is empty and an effect says they can't draw cards, the conniving creature does not receive a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2022-04-29 | Once an ability that causes a creature to connive begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it's done. Notably, opponents can't try to remove the conniving creature after you discard a nonland card but before it receives a counter. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.