Scandalmonger MTG Card

Scandalmonger’s ability can strategically control hand sizes, influencing the game’s tempo and opponent options. Its instant speed activation disrupts opponents, providing tactical advantages during any turn. However, its specific mana cost and potential self-disadvantage must be carefully managed.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Boar Monger
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	158
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Cavotta

Text of card

: Target player discards a card from his or her hand. Any player may play this ability but only if he or she could play a sorcery.

Silence costs extra. Breaking it costs extra still.

Cards like Scandalmonger

Scandalmonger is a unique creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, having the ability not often seen in the game. When comparing it to similar cards, Norin the Wary comes to mind, considering its peculiar and elusive ability to dodge removal. Scandalmonger shares the theme of influencing other player’s decisions, albeit through a different mechanism. Where Norin the Wary bounces in and out of play whimsically, Scandalmonger puts the power in players’ hands to manipulate the game by allowing any player to pay mana to make an opponent discard a card.

Another card worthy of comparison is Hypnotic Specter, which contrasts with Scandalmonger’s upfront and interactive approach by adding an aggressive, damage-based tactic that forces discards at random upon dealing combat damage to a player. While both cards fit into strategies disrupting opponents’ hands, they execute their plans differently. Lastly, Cunning Advisor follows a similar pattern to Scandalmonger. It allows you to force a card discard at the cost of mana, yet it targets only one opponent making it less malleable across a multiplayer setting.

Considering these variations, Scandalmonger finds a distinctive place in Magic: The Gathering as a political tool in multiplayer games, leveraging table negotiations and strategic discard to influence the course of the match.

Cards similar to Scandalmonger by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As players engage with Scandalmonger, it opens opportunities to manipulate the flow of the game by exchanging resources strategically. Its ability allows the holder to control cards in each player’s hand, effectively maintaining the upper hand by dictating the pace and the availability of options to opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Scandalmonger offers a unique form of resource acceleration by giving players the power to force one another to spend mana in an unusual way. This can accelerate your strategy by disrupting your opponents’ resources, potentially leaving them unable to react efficiently to your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Scandalmonger itself is not an instant, its ability can be activated at instant speed. This means you can wait until the most advantageous moment during any player’s turn to use it, ensuring you gain maximum benefit from the card’s disruptive power.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scandalmonger makes both you and your opponents discard cards, but this can backfire if you’re unable to maintain a sufficient hand size. Careful timing is essential to ensure you’re not disadvantaging yourself more than your opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Crafting your mana base to accommodate Scandalmonger’s color-specific mana requirement of three black mana can be restrictive and may dictate the overall strategy and color scheme of your deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three of which are black, Scandalmonger can be a costly investment. This cost might be impractical compared to other creatures or spells which offer immediate impact or more powerful abilities for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scandalmonger offers a unique ability to manipulate the board by enabling players to force opponents to discard cards. This feature can be incorporated into a variety of deck strategies, particularly those focused on resource denial or hand disruption.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Scandalmonger can be a key piece in powerful combos. It synergizes well with cards that profit from opponents’ discards or benefit from having fewer cards in opponents’ hands.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where players rely heavily on maintaining a sizeable hand for control or combo strategies, Scandalmonger can be a disruptor, levelling the playing field and providing you with a strategic advantage.

How to beat Scandalmonger

Scandalmonger presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that gives each player the ability to manipulate the flow of the game by allowing them to make each other discard cards, it requires a strategic approach to neutralize. This ability can quickly disrupt your game plan if not addressed promptly.

To gain the upper hand against Scandalmonger, consider implementing graveyard synergy into your deck. Cards that benefit from or replenish resources from the graveyard can turn Scandalmonger’s ability into an advantage for you. Moreover, incorporating instant-speed removal spells ensures that you can deal with it before it shifts the game balance. Keeping mana open to react during your opponent’s turn can mitigate the potential harm they aim to inflict using Scandalmonger’s activated ability.

Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strengths and maintaining card advantage are key. Utilizing spells and creatures that draw you cards or recur them from your graveyard will ensure that Scandalmonger’s impact is minimized, allowing you to stay in control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scandalmonger MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Scandalmonger and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scandalmonger has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal