Surveillance Monitor MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 73
2024-02-09 - Number 73†
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Detective |
| Abilities | Collect evidence |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Surveillance Monitor enters the battlefield, you may collect evidence 4. (Exile cards with total mana value 4 or greater from your graveyard.) Whenever you collect evidence, create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying.
Thopters don't take breaks, and neither does he.
Cards like Surveillance Monitor
Surveillance Monitor offers MTG players a novel approach to managing battlefield visibility. It shares some characteristics with traditional “peek” effects found in blue-aligned cards like Peek itself, which allows a look at an opponent’s hand with the added benefit of drawing a card. Although Peek provides immediate knowledge and card advantage, Surveillance Monitor takes a different path, focusing on continuous information and potential board control.
Telepathy is another card that reveals similar information by allowing players to see opponents’ hands without the benefit of drawing, but unlike Surveillance Monitor, it does not offer the option to alter the battlefield. Conversely, Glasses of Urza serve as a historic parallel, granting open view of an opponent’s hand without occupying the field of creature play. Moreover, Spireside Infiltrator bears a resemblance in how it interacts with opponents’ actions by dealing damage when vehicles become crewed, a different kind of reactionary measure than the one presented by Surveillance Monitor’s manipulation of creatures.
All things considered, Surveillance Monitor carves its niche among MTG’s surveillance-themed cards by providing continuous insight into an opponent’s plans, along with a strategic edge in controlling engagements on the board. Its unique blend of intel gathering and creature management makes it an intriguing choice in specific MTG deck strategies.
Cards similar to Surveillance Monitor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Surveillance Monitor shines when it comes to keeping your hand filled with options. This card lets you peep at the top card of your library at any time, ensuring that you make informed decisions about your plays and maintain a steady flow of useful cards.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it accelerates your resources indirectly by potentially revealing lands or ramp spells on the top of your library, streamlining your path to more powerful turns.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Surveillance Monitor is a significant boon. Usable at instant speed, this card allows you to adapt on the fly, utilizing it most efficiently during an opponent’s end step or in response to actions that might otherwise catch you off guard. This adaptability keeps you one step ahead, controlling the flow of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Surveillance Monitor is that it stipulates discarding as part of its activation cost. This can be a strategic setback, particularly during late-game scenarios when maintaining a full grip becomes crucial. For decks that don’t capitalize on graveyard strategies or those already facing hand depletion, the discard stipulation can turn from a minor inconvenience to a significant hurdle.
Specific Mana Cost: Surveillance Monitor comes with a specific mana requirement that can hinder its integration into multicolored decks. Players running a base that doesn’t align with the mana symbols might find themselves unable to cast it when needed, leading to it being a dead draw in games where mana flexibility is key to outmaneuvering opponents.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant, the cost to get Surveillance Monitor into play is notable when compared to other cards with similar effects. The four mana necessary can be a steep price, and players must evaluate if its benefits justify occupying this slot over other lower-cost options that provide similar utility or greater versatility in a game where tempo can be everything.
Reasons to Include Surveillance Monitor in Your Collection
Versatility: Surveillance Monitor offers utility across a variety of decks, catering especially to those looking to control the board and keep tabs on the opponents’ strategies.
Combo Potential: Its ability to surveil unlocks synergies with cards that capitalize on knowing the top card of your library or that benefit from stocking your graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments that are rife with creature strategies, Surveillance Monitor helps maintain card quality and set up for powerful plays, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.
How to Beat Surveillance Monitor
Surveillance Monitor emerges as a unique card within the MTG universe, presenting players with both a challenge and an opportunity. Understanding its mechanics is key to countering its effects effectively. It operates by allowing its controller to keep tabs on an opponent, potentially blocking their most dangerous threats. When facing this card, the focus should be on diversifying your threats. Ensuring that your deck is not overly reliant on a single powerful creature can dilute the Monitor’s impact. Additionally, incorporation of instant-speed removal or bounce spells allows you to respond to its activation and maintain pressure on your opponent.
A strategic approach can include bolstering your deck with cards that can be played at instant speed, thereby reducing the window where Surveillance Monitor can affect your game plan. Cards like Negate or Disenchant can also prove invaluable, as they can directly counteract or remove Surveillance Monitor before it becomes an insurmountable obstacle. Adaptation and flexibility are your best tools in outmaneuvering the surveillance strategies that this card embodies.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the presence of Surveillance Monitor in your opponent’s deck is crucial. By planning around it and employing a diverse array of strategies, you’ll nullify its advantage and keep your opponents on their toes.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surveillance Monitor MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Surveillance Monitor 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
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Printings
The Surveillance Monitor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 73† | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Surveillance Monitor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |