Psychic Symbiont MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 221
2022-07-08 - Number 266
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare Horror |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying When Psychic Symbiont enters the battlefield, target opponent discards a card and you draw a card.
"I turn around and see nothing, yet I know it is behind me. Its fingers rummage in my mind, crafting new ideas."
Cards like Psychic Symbiont
Psychic Symbiont stands out in the lineup of creature-based card interaction mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to cards such as Balustrade Spy, which also provides direct interaction with an opponent’s hand. Yet, Psychic Symbiont brings a unique edge by allowing you to draw a card while forcing the opponent to discard, merging both advantage and disruption in one neat package.
Another card worth mentioning is Cephalid Broker. This creature offers a similar card advantage by allowing you to draw and discard, but it doesn’t impact the opponent’s hand directly. Whispering Madness also dances around the hand interaction theme, sharing an ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategic plans. However, unlike Psychic Symbiont, it’s a cyclical effect that hits all players and can reset hands completely.
Balancing the scales, Psychic Symbiont may have a six-mana cost attached, which is quite steep, but its impact on the game can shift the tides if played strategically. This combination of card advantage and disruption makes Psychic Symbiont a card worth considering in decks that capitalize on both players’ hands.
Cards similar to Psychic Symbiont by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Psychic Symbiont stands out by allowing you to draw a card while also forcing an opponent to discard one, effectively swinging the balance of resources in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration, the discard effect can indirectly set you ahead by disrupting your opponent’s strategy and resource availability, giving you a comparative advantage.
Instant Speed: While Psychic Symbiont is not an instant itself, the discard effect at the time of entry can be just as disruptive as an instant spell. This enables you to strategically decide when to deploy this creature for maximum impact on the game state, such as after a board clear or when your opponent is holding minimum cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Psychic Symbiont mandates that when it enters the battlefield, it necessitates discarding a card from an opponent. This condition can be less beneficial if you are playing against a deck designed to utilize the graveyard or capitalize on discarding.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Psychic Symbiont is one black, one blue, and four generic mana, meaning its inclusion is predominantly viable in decks that can produce both types of mana, potentially restricting its use in more flexible or mono-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana value of six, Psychic Symbiont’s ability to draw a card and make an opponent discard might seem valuable, yet there are instances where the mana could be allocated to more impactful spells or creatures that provide a greater advantage in the current state of play.
Reasons to Include Psychic Symbiont in Your Collection
Versatility: Psychic Symbiont stands out due to its dual functionality. Not only does it let you draw a card upon entering the battlefield, but it also forces an opponent to discard a card. This makes it a solid choice for decks that capitalize on disruption and card advantage.
Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with cards that benefit from both discarding and drawing. It supports strategies centered around reanimation or madness, plus it could fuel graveyard-based mechanics or enable draw-related triggers.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where hand manipulation is key to disrupting opponent strategies, Psychic Symbiont can be a tactical inclusion. It’s particularly effective in a meta replete with combo decks that heavily rely on specific cards, making the discard effect not merely a nuisance but a game-changing move.
How to beat
Psychic Symbiont enters the battlefield as a force to be reckoned with, particularly in formats like Draft or Sealed in Magic: The Gathering. This card combines both hand disruption and card advantage, often a swingy play in limited games. Despite its power level, overwhelming Psychic Symbiont is achievable with the right strategy.
To counteract this unique creature, it’s essential to minimize its impact upon entry. Playing instant-speed removal in response to the Symbiont’s cast can ensure it’s dealt with before its enters-the-battlefield effect resolves. Additionally, keeping your hand size large can help mitigate the loss from its discarding effect. Graveyard retrieval cards can also be crucial as they enable you to bring back important discarded cards.
Efficient deck construction, anticipating such threats, and having answers at the ready can often turn the tide. Sideboard cards that grant hexproof to your hand or spells like Thoughtseize, which can preemptively strip this threat from your opponent’s hand, adjust the match in your favor. Understanding the nuanced play and counterplay surrounding Psychic Symbiont will certainly sharpen your competitive edge in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Psychic Symbiont MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Double Masters 2022, 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 Psychic Symbiont 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
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Printings
The Psychic Symbiont Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Robbie Trevino.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 221 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Robbie Trevino | |
| 2 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 266 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Robbie Trevino |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Psychic Symbiont has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Psychic Symbiont card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-07-13 | Psychic Symbiont’s last ability can target an opponent with no cards in hand. You’ll draw a card even if no opponent discards a card. |