Sleight of Mind MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 78
1993-10-04 - Number 79
1993-12-01 - Number 79
1993-12-10 - Number 79
1993-12-10 - Number 79
1994-04-01 - Number 81
1994-04-01 - Number 81
1994-06-21 - Number 81
1995-04-01 - Number 102
1995-04-01 - Number 102
1995-06-03 - Number 99
1997-03-24 - Number 124
2022-11-28 - Number 375
2022-11-28 - Number 78
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Change the text of any card being played or already in play by replacing one color word with another. For example, you can change "Counters red spells" to "Counters black spells." Cannot change mana symbols.
Understanding Sleight of Mind’s Unique Effect
Sleight of Mind stands out in the roster of MTG cards due to its unique ability to alter the text of any spell or permanent until end of turn. This versatility differs from most cards which typically have fixed abilities.
Cards like Sleight of Mind
Sleight of Mind showcases its enchanting prowess by enabling players to change one instance of a color word on any spell or permanent. This trait can be likened to cards like Magical Hack or Whim of Volrath, which also play with the text of spells and permanents on the fly. Magical Hack, in particular, targets lands by changing land type references, while Whim of Volrath offers greater flexibility, allowing changes to any text—not just color words. Yet, Sleight of Mind’s focus on color can be a strategic boon in the right deck, particularly one that manipulates protection abilities or in a color-intensive meta.
Comparing this with Spectral Shift or Alter Reality reveals a trade-off between scope and specificity. Those cards cover a broader range of potential changes, including altering color words throughout the entire text, not just one instance. However, Sleight of Mind’s lower mana cost and being an interrupt (now an instant) gives it the speed advantage in reactive play. While it may not offer the broad text manipulation of its counterparts, its precision in altering color words can have a substantial impact, making it a noteworthy option for decks where such tweaks are essential.
Cards similar to Sleight of Mind by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sleight of Mind offers a unique kind of card advantage, particularly in combo decks. With the ability to change a word on a target spell or permanent, it can effectively turn a once situational card into a key piece of your strategy, aligning with your current game state for greater efficacy.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resources like mana, Sleight of Mind can accelerate your strategic resources. By altering key words on cards, it helps steer the game in your favor faster. This might mean changing a creature’s color to bypass protection or enabling a combo with a newly compatible piece—crucial accelerations in the pace at which your plan unfolds.
Instant Speed: The power of casting spells at instant speed cannot be understated in MTG. Sleight of Mind’s instant nature gives players the flexibility to adjust their tactics on the fly, responding to opponents’ actions in real-time and potentially disrupting their strategies during crucial phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A major downside to Sleight of Mind is its necessity for a card to be discarded to trigger its effect. This exchange can often lead to a loss of valuable resources, diminishing your hand advantage against opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Sleight of Mind needs a precise combination of mana to be played. Sporting a single blue mana requirement could potentially restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary mana readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of one blue mana may seem economical, but when considering the scope of utility and impact on the game, Sleight of Mind can feel costly. Especially when evaluating other options within the same mana range, it becomes apparent that there are alternatives that could provide a greater influence on the board or card advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sleight of Mind offers flexibility in any blue-focused deck, able to adjust key card texts in real-time, and navigate through opponents’ strategies by altering words on the fly.
Combo Potential: This card creates unique synergies, pairing well with cards that have specific word-dependent abilities. It can enable unusual and game-winning interactions in the right setup.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the meta, Sleight of Mind can counter or exploit decks that hinge on particular keywords, maintaining its relevance in various competitive environments.
How to beat
Sleight of Mind is an intriguing card that allows players to change the text of a spell or permanent by substituting one color word for another. This can be quite the strategic tool in Magic: The Gathering for those looking to manipulate gameplay in their favor. To effectively counter this card, players must anticipate the pivotal moment when their opponent might utilize Sleight of Mind’s ability.
As a countermeasure, one might consider using spells that are less dependent on color-specific mechanics. This would minimize Sleight of Mind’s impact. Moreover, keeping versatile removal or counterspell options in hand can disrupt your opponent’s attempt to use this tricky card optimally. If Sleight of Mind is being used in tandem with certain combos, identifying and interrupting these combinations can be a key strategy. Therefore, playing proactively and having a breadth of responses is crucial to outmaneuvering the clever applications of Sleight of Mind.
Ultimately, versatility and foresight in deck construction and in-game decision-making are invaluable when facing down the potential challenges posed by Sleight of Mind. By considering the card’s strengths and keeping its effects in mind, you can devise strategies that turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sleight of Mind 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 Sleight of Mind 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 Sleight of Mind Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 78 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 79 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 79 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 79 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 79 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 81 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 81 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 81 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 102 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 102 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 11 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 99 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Nicola Leonard | |
| 12 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 124 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 375 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sleight of Mind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sleight of Mind 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 | Alters all occurrences of the chosen word in the text box and the type line of the given card. |
| 2004-10-04 | Can target a card with no appropriate words on it, or even one with no words at all. |
| 2004-10-04 | Can target a card with no color words on it. |
| 2004-10-04 | Can’t change a color word to the same color word. It must be a different word. |
| 2004-10-04 | Changing the text of a spell will not allow you to change the targets of the spell because the targets were chosen when the spell was cast. The text change will (probably) cause it to be countered since the targets will be illegal. |
| 2004-10-04 | If you change the text of a spell which is to become a permanent, the permanent will retain the text change until the effect wears off. |
| 2004-10-04 | It can’t change a word to the same word. It must be a different word. |
| 2004-10-04 | It only changes what is printed on the card (or set on a token when it was created or set by a copy effect). It will not change any effects that are on the permanent. |
| 2004-10-04 | You can’t Sleight proper nouns (i.e. card names). This means that you can’t affect a “Black Vise”. |
| 2004-10-04 | You choose the words to change on resolution. |