Soul Read MTG Card

Soul Read grants strategic advantage by revealing opponent’s hand, coupled with a card draw. Instant speed allows flexibility and surprise, critical in mid-duel adaptability. Discarding a card can be a steep cost, balancing its potent game-altering ability.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set name	Jumpstart 2022
Set code	J22
Number	17
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Drew Tucker

Text of card

Choose one — • Counter target spell unless its controller pays . • Draw two cards.

It's easy to be two steps ahead when you can see their every thought.

Cards like Soul Read

Soul Read stands out in the competitive landscape of instant-speed interaction in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterpart is Peek, another instant that lets you view an opponent’s hand while drawing a card but without the ability to discard. What makes Soul Read unique is the capacity to control the flow of the game by forcing a discard after the peek, fundamentally altering the hand dynamics.

Considering Thoughtseize, another powerhouse in hand disruption, the differences are more pronounced. Thoughtseize allows you to choose and discard any nonland card at the cost of life, but it doesn’t allow you to draw, restricting card advantage. Conversely, Duress offers a similar discard tactic sans the life loss and draw, targeting only non-creature, non-land cards. Though more limited, it’s more strategic in certain matchups.

By juxtaposing the tools available for hand observation and disruption, Soul Read carves a niche for itself with its dual functionality in Magic: The Gathering. It’s not just about taking away options from your opponent, but also about enriching your own hand and strategy simultaneously.

Cards similar to Soul Read by color, type and mana cost

Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soul Read offers valuable insight into your opponent’s hand while drawing you a card. This enables you to plan your strategy with more information, potentially swinging the tide of the game in your favor by making informed decisions on how to proceed.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially revealing a nonland card, Soul Read can give you a one-mana boost on your next turn. This little push can be just what you need to deploy your threats or answers ahead of schedule, giving you a decisive tempo edge over your adversary.

Instant Speed: Being able to cast Soul Read at instant speed is a huge boon. It allows you to keep your options open and respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn. This adaptability can catch your opponent off guard and disrupt their plans, making it a versatile tool in any duel.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Soul Read necessitates discarding a card, which may not always be advantageous. This can prove particularly troublesome when your hand is already depleted or contains high-value cards you’d prefer to keep.

Specific Mana Cost: A deck must include both blue and black mana sources to play Soul Read. This requirement restricts deck-building options and can be inhibitive for players not running a Dimir (blue-black) or multicolor mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands three lands, two of which must generate specific colors of mana, players might find Soul Read competing with other impactful three-drops in their deck. The options available at this mana slot can often provide immediate impact without the downside of card disadvantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Soul Read is a powerhouse in decks that demand strategic hand manipulation. It fits seamlessly into control or midrange archetypes, providing a significant informational advantage over your opponents.

Combo Potential: This card excels in setups that pivot on knowledge of the opponent’s plans, enabling decisive interactions. It pairs well with cards that benefit from opponents discarding or drawing, amplifying its impact on the game.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where predicting and countering opponents’ plays is crucial, Soul Read’s utility cannot be overlooked. It gives players an edge in matchups by allowing them to plan with the foresight of their adversary’s next moves.

How to beat

Soul Read, a unique card in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, embodies the essence of strategic depth and foresight. When facing this card, anticipate a nuanced battle of wits, as your opponent will try to leverage the card’s ability to glimpse into your next moves. Unlike other cards that focus simply on raw power or direct damage, Soul Read requires a more subtle approach to counter effectively.

One potent strategy to outmaneuver Soul Read is to diversify your plays. With a deck crafted to offer multiple decision paths, you can keep your opponent guessing, diluting the advantage that Soul Read provides. In addition, incorporating cards that permit drawing or shuffling the deck will further complicate any predictions your adversary makes – this unpredictability is your ally. Always be mindful of the tempo; if you can maintain a pace that pressures your opponent, they’ll have less time to capitalize on the insights Soul Read affords them.

In essence, defeating Soul Read is less about overpowering and more about outsmarting. By crafting a deck rich in variability and maintaining a dynamic playstyle, you can diminish the card’s impact and steer the game towards victory, demonstrating that knowledge is indeed power, but unpredictability is its own form of cunning.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soul Read MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Soul Read and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soul Read has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal