Psychogenic Probe MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Psychogenic Probe is a powerful tool for milling strategies. Each time a player shuffles their library, the Probe deals two damage, forging a pathway to deplete an opponent’s resources indirectly. This consistent source of damage can pressure opponents and shuffle-heavy decks, providing a unique edge in the race to victory.

Resource Acceleration: While the Probe itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it excels in decks built around library manipulation. In conjunction with cards that force shuffles, it repeatedly triggers to whittle an opponent’s life, allowing for swifter victories. This synergistic acceleration towards your game plan is an underrated form of resource advantage.

Instant Speed: As an artifact, Psychogenic Probe sits on the battlefield ready to interact with the game at any moment. It doesn’t operate at instant speed, but it’s always ‘on,’ damaging opponents during their turns whenever they search and shuffle. This constant threat can alter the way your opponent plays their game, potentially disrupting their strategies or forcing less-than-optimal plays to avoid taking damage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Psychogenic Probe necessitates a strategic approach to deck building, often requiring players to include methods for shuffling either their own or their opponents’ libraries. Without consistent means of triggering the card’s ability, its impact on the game can be minimal.

Specific Mana Cost: The artifact requires a two-colorless mana investment upfront. While this may not be restrictive in terms of color alignment, it does require that you have the necessary mana available early in the game, which can be challenging during crucial setup turns.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A two-mana artifact, Psychogenic Probe might not seem costly, but considering it doesn’t influence the board immediately upon entry and requires additional setup to be effective, some players may find it less appealing compared to other cards that provide immediate value or have inherently lower casting costs.

Reasons to Include Psychogenic Probe in Your Collection

Versatility: Psychogenic Probe is a card that can be slipped into numerous deck archetypes. Control decks can use it to chip away at an opponent’s life total, whereas mill decks amplify their main strategy by punishing opponents as they’re forced to shuffle their library.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines when combined with cards that force shuffle effects. Coupled with effects like Cosi’s Trickster or field scramblers such as Soldier of Fortune, Psychogenic Probe becomes a consistent source of damage that can quickly add up.

Meta-Relevance: In metas heavy with tutor effects, where players are often searching their libraries, Psychogenic Probe can serve as a deterrent or a punishment tool. Its unique damage source can circumvent common defensive strategies, maintaining relevance amidst changing gameplay environments.

How to beat Psychogenic Probe

Psychogenic Probe emerges as a unique artifact within the MTG realm, one that can turn the tide of a game by dealing damage every time a player’s library is shuffled. The key to overcoming this card lies in minimizing library shuffling or using card effects that prohibit or punish life loss mechanisms. Cards like Leyline of Sanctity offer protection by making you hexproof which, in turn, shields you from the life loss induced by Psychogenic Probe.

To further dampen the Probe’s impact, consider including shuffle deterrence in your deck. Cards like Aven Mindcensor restrict opponents from searching their libraries freely, inherently reducing shuffle frequency and subsequent damage from the Probe. Another strategy is using direct removal spells to dispatch of the artifact itself. Naturalize or Disenchant can provide a swift end to the Probe’s presence on the battlefield, negating its damage-dealing capability outright. By incorporating such strategies, MTG players can craft an effective defense against the disruptive force of Psychogenic Probe without diluting the strength of their own gameplay strategy.