Splitting Headache MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Number	79
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Thomas Denmark

Key Takeaways

Instant speed allows strategic plays, optimizing timing and surprise factors in games.
Discarding a card is obligatory, potentially hampering players with fewer resources.
Versatile in both offensive strategies and deck sifting for combo setups.

Text of card

Choose one Target player discards two cards; or target player reveals his or her hand, you choose a card from it, then that player discards that card.

All faeries delve for dreams. But not all wait for their victims to fall asleep.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Splitting Headache is adept at disrupting your opponent’s hand while simultaneously enhancing your own hand selection. This card can potentially force your opponent to discard a hand-picked card, which can tilt the balance in your favor during crucial turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Splitting Headache on its own may not directly generate additional mana, utilizing it effectively can strip away valuable resources from your adversary, slowing down their game plan and allowing you to accelerate yours comparatively.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of being an instant cannot be overstated. Splitting Headache can be cast on your opponent’s turn, which means you can make strategic plays based on their actions and maintain the element of surprise. It lends itself to a reactive playstyle, where you can decide the best moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Splitting Headache requires a player to discard a card upon casting it. This can sometimes backfire for players already pressed for resources, forcing them to make difficult decisions regarding which cards to keep in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost includes both black and generic mana, which can restrict its utility in decks that are not tailored to support black mana or multicolored mana bases effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is relatively high for its effect, Splitting Headache competes with other disruption spells that may offer more value or versatility for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Splitting Headache in Your Collection

Versatility: Splitting Headache offers a double-edged sword for both disrupting your opponent’s hand and stocking your own with options. It can settle into any deck where information and control are as vital as the spells you cast.

Combo Potential: Whether you’re looking to empty your opponent’s hand to pave the way for a devastating play or simply sift through your deck to assemble your winning combo pieces, Splitting Headache’s flexibility can be a key enabler in both strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where players hoard cards for the perfect move, Splitting Headache can tip the scales. Its ability to selectively strip resources makes it a tactical play against reactive decks that rely on a full grip.

How to beat

Splitting Headache joins the list of hand disruption spells in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, sharing thematic similarities with cards like Duress or Thoughtseize. What sets it apart is its alluring option for a player to choose between causing an opponent to discard two cards at random or paying more to affect all opponents in a multiplayer setting.

The key to overcoming Splitting Headache lies in recognizing the card’s strength in stripping away your hand’s resources and strategizing accordingly. One could lean on instant-speed draw effects or cards with flashback from the graveyard, which are less impacted by discard mechanics. Additionally, cards like Leyline of Sanctity that offer hexproof can nullify Splitting Headache’s targeting ability, effectively neutralizing its threat. Be mindful of your card types; having a diverse hand can mitigate the effect of selective discard spells.

Ultimately, navigating around Splitting Headache demands a proactive game plan and savvy readjustment of strategy mid-game. Understanding the nuances of card advantage and timing can help preserve your pivotal plays and maintain control of the match even when faced with this disruptive force.

Cards like Splitting Headache

Splitting Headache occupies a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering, providing both hand disruption and card selection. Its closest comparison might be to cards like Wrench Mind, which also focuses on making opponents discard, but it lacks the flexibility Splitting Headache offers in choosing between opponent or self disruption. Meanwhile, a card such as Hymn to Tourach has a similar disruptive impact but isn’t customizable and hits randomly, which can be advantageous or detrimental, unlike the controlled effect provided by Splitting Headache.

Mind Rot stands as another parallel, allowing you to force an opponent to discard two cards, which matches Splitting Headache’s opponent-targeting mode. However, it does not give you the choice to use the spell on yourself for selective card draw, which can be a pivotal strategic play. Another contender in this vein is Delirium Skeins, which broadens the scope by causing each player to discard three cards, a more drastic effect, but it leaves no room for choice or strategy compared to Splitting Headache.

Considering the adaptability and dual-functionality of Splitting Headache in gameplay, it presents itself as a versatile tool in a player’s arsenal, adept at disrupting opponents or refining one’s own hand depending on the situation at hand.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Splitting Headache MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Splitting Headache and other MTG cards: