Simplify MTG Card


Simplify can enhance hand management, enabling deeper strategic gameplay and effective combo execution. Streamlines matches by accelerating resource access, crucial for seizing the initiative in-game. Instant speed abilities of Simplify offer strategic flexibility and surprise factor during play.
Simplify - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Number269
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt

Text of card

Each player sacrifices an enchantment.

A blossom's petals close inward to shut out the frost. —Nantuko teaching


Cards like Simplify

The Simplify Mtg Card provides players with a unique approach to streamlining hand content. This card can be likened to Mana Leak, which is a staple in control decks for its ability to disrupt opponent plays. While Mana Leak conditionally counters a spell unless a cost is met, Simplify takes a different angle by directly limiting the opponent’s hand size.

Another card to consider alongside Simplify is Narset, Parter of Veils. Narset restricts the number of cards drawn by an opponent, creating a limitation in their potential plays. However, unlike Simplify which imposes a continuous effect as long as it’s on the field, Narset’s influence can sometimes be a one-time effect, depending on the board state.

In reflecting on game strategy, Simplify may not offer the same instant disruption as Mana Leak or the immediate draw limitation of Narset, but its enduring capability to lower hand options for an opponent is a tactical advantage. It’s a subtle yet effective tool, fitting into a different niche of control mechanics that can quietly tip the scales in a prolonged match.

Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Narset, Parter of Veils - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Narset, Parter of Veils - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Simplify by color, type and mana cost

Hurricane - MTG Card versions
Stream of Life - MTG Card versions
Metamorphosis - MTG Card versions
Winter Blast - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Tutor - MTG Card versions
Fruition - MTG Card versions
Salvage - MTG Card versions
Rofellos's Gift - MTG Card versions
Thrive - MTG Card versions
Chatter of the Squirrel - MTG Card versions
Dwell on the Past - MTG Card versions
Insist - MTG Card versions
Primal Might - MTG Card versions
Scale Up - MTG Card versions
Glimpse of Nature - MTG Card versions
Ancient Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Gelatinous Genesis - MTG Card versions
Corrosive Gale - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Slime Molding - MTG Card versions
Hurricane - MTG Card versions
Stream of Life - MTG Card versions
Metamorphosis - MTG Card versions
Winter Blast - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Tutor - MTG Card versions
Fruition - MTG Card versions
Salvage - MTG Card versions
Rofellos's Gift - MTG Card versions
Thrive - MTG Card versions
Chatter of the Squirrel - MTG Card versions
Dwell on the Past - MTG Card versions
Insist - MTG Card versions
Primal Might - MTG Card versions
Scale Up - MTG Card versions
Glimpse of Nature - MTG Card versions
Ancient Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Gelatinous Genesis - MTG Card versions
Corrosive Gale - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Slime Molding - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Simplifying MTG cards often grants players the ability to manage their hand more efficiently, leading to a deeper understanding of potential combos and strategies that can be executed to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Streamlined MTG cards usually focus on speeding up gameplay, enabling quicker access to necessary mana or other resources. This acceleration can be pivotal to gaining the upper hand in a match.

Instant Speed: A simplified MTG card with abilities that can be activated at instant speed provides flexibility in response timing, making it possible to adapt to the dynamic state of play without sacrificing the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Simplify MTG cards often impose the need for players to discard another card from their hand, potentially depleting valuable resources and disrupting strategic plays. This drawback requires careful hand management and may deter usage in decks not designed to capitalize on discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: Simplify requires a certain combination of mana to play, which can restrict deck building and decrease its versatility. Decks that do not meet the specific mana requirements may find it challenging to include and consistently cast such a card, diminishing its usefulness.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential to streamline complexity in gameplay, the card comes with a mana cost that might be considered high relative to the benefit it offers. Players must evaluate whether simplifying card interactions is worth the deck space and mana investment, especially when there are alternatives that provide more immediate or impactful results for the same or lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include Simplify Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Simplify can seamlessly slot into various deck archetypes that thrive on maintaining a lean and efficient board state, ensuring that gameplay is straightforward and less cluttered by complex stacks.

Combo Potential: In decks crafted around synergy and specific interactions, Simplify acts as a strategic piece to streamline combos, removing superfluous permanents that could otherwise disrupt or dilute your game plan.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, Simplify holds value as it can serve as a tool to mitigate the impact of pervasive, intricate strategies that dominate the current meta, affording you a clearer path to victory.


How to Simplify Your MTG Deck

In the complex universe of Magic: The Gathering, finding the right balance in your deck is pivotal for success. With the abundance of available cards, deck builds can get complicated fast. However, having a card like Simplify in your library can persuade a shift towards more streamlined play. This enchantment encourages minimalistic strategies, nudging players to favor quality over quantity when it comes to the cards in hand. Simplify doesn’t just challenge players to think carefully about each card they play but also shapes the metagame by valuing essential plays and discouraging overextension.

Having a card like Simplify can tip the scales by passively controlling opponents who rely on a full grip of cards to execute their strategies. It’s a subtle, yet potent deterrent to decks overflowing with synergistic but low-impact cards. In a way, Simplify could be seen as the Magic: The Gathering equivalent of decluttering, forcing players to consider the value of each card they possess. While it can be restrictive, it also opens up avenues for decks that capitalize on efficiency and resourcefulness, changing the game in exciting ways that reward strategic deck construction and precise play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Simplify MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Simplify and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Simplify has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal