Psychic Venom MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 75
1993-10-04 - Number 76
1993-12-01 - Number 76
1993-12-10 - Number 76
1993-12-10 - Number 76
1994-04-01 - Number 76
1994-04-01 - Number 76
1994-06-21 - Number 76
1995-04-01 - Number 96
1995-04-01 - Number 96
1997-03-24 - Number 113
1999-04-21 - Number 91
2007-09-10 - Number 46
2022-11-28 - Number 372
2022-11-28 - Number 75
| Card sets | Released in 15 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Whenever target land is tapped, Psychic Venom does 2 damage to target land's controller.
Cards like Psychic Venom
Psychic Venom stands as a unique aura in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It shares its fundamental concept of enchanting lands with cards like Contaminated Ground and Pooling Venom. Contaminated Ground also has a secondary effect which turns the land into a Swamp, an aspect Psychic Venom does not possess. Pooling Venom, much like Psychic Venom, imposes a penalty on the land’s controller when used, but it escalates the damage, offering the capacity for greater harm at a higher mana cost.
Another relative is Ice Floe, focusing not on dealing damage but rather on freezing a land, preventing its use. This aligns with Psychic Venom’s strategy of control and disruption without the direct damage aspect. While Ice Floe interrupts opponents’ mana, Psychic Venom puts them in a dilemma between taking damage or losing their mana tempo.
In evaluating these alternatives, while many spells target lands, Psychic Venom secures its spot as an effective deterrent with its low cost and potential for consistent damage throughout the game. Its ability to put psychological pressure on the opponent each turn establishes it as a noteworthy tactic in certain MTG deck builds.
Cards similar to Psychic Venom by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Psychic Venom doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it does force your opponent to carefully consider tapping the enchanted land. This can potentially lock down a land from being used, indirectly giving you an advantage as your opponent is hampered in their card play.
Resource Acceleration: Psychic Venom doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, but by potentially deterring an opponent from using their land, you can gain a relative acceleration in resources compared to your opponent. This can lead to a more favorable board state for you as you’re able to deploy more threats or answers.
Instant Speed: Although Psychic Venom is an enchantment that must be played at sorcery speed, its effect occurs instantly every time the enchanted land is tapped. This allows for strategic use against lands that your opponent might need to use at critical moments, providing you leverage during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Psychic Venom does not require card discard, its narrow effect might force players to ditch other cards from their strategy to accommodate its specific utility.
Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment necessitates a precise mana cost, calling for one island and one other mana which could inhibit deck-building flexibility by favoring blue mana-intensive strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Psychic Venom’s cost can appear outsized compared to its effect, especially when considering contemporary options that might disrupt or damage opponents for equal or less investment.
Reasons to Include Psychic Venom in Your Collection
Versatility: Psychic Venom is a classic disruption card that puts pressure on your opponent’s mana base. It works well in decks that aim to control the pace of the game, and it can be a valuable tool in formats where utility lands are common plays.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Psychic Venom can be part of a combo that amplifies its damage-dealing capability. Paired with cards that force or encourage opponents to tap their lands, like Icy Manipulator or Ral Zarek, Psychic Venom turns a defensively positioned card into an offensive strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land-dependent combos or heavy land usage is prevalent, Psychic Venom proves to be a potent sideboard card. It gives control and tempo decks an edge by turning an essential resource into a liability for the opponent, potentially deterring them from executing their game plan smoothly.
How to beat
The Psychic Venom card in MTG creates a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to damage opponents whenever they tap the afflicted land. Although it might seem daunting at first, overcoming this card’s effect is all about strategic planning. One straightforward tactic is to minimize the impact of the affected land by using it sparingly or ensuring it remains untapped. It also helps to have land cleansing spells at your disposal, so you can remove Psychic Venom without significant loss.
Another angle is to employ alternative mana sources to avoid the need to tap the enchanted land altogether. Artifacts that function as mana generators, such as Sol Ring or Mana Crypt, can provide the necessary resources without triggering Psychic Venom’s damage. Additionally, cards that untap lands, like Voyaging Satyr or Kiora’s Follower, can be cleverly used to sidestep the card’s harmful effects after securing what you need from the cursed land.
Overall, while Psychic Venom can turn one of your lands into a double-edged sword, remember that MTG is ripe with answers and workarounds. With thoughtful play and a well-constructed deck, this card’s sting can be mitigated, allowing you to continue your quest for victory unimpeded.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Psychic Venom MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Venom 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
Printings
The Psychic Venom Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 75 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 76 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 76 | 1993 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 76 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 76 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 76 | 1993 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 76 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 76 | 1993 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 96 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 96 | 1993 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 113 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 12 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 91 | 1997 | Normal | White | Brian Snõddy | |
| 13 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 46 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 372 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 15 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Psychic Venom has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Psychic Venom card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Whenever the land is tapped for any reason, the ability triggers. |