Syphon Mind MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Each other player discards a card from his or her hand. You draw a card for each card discarded this way.
When tempers run high, it's easy to lose your head.
Cards like Syphon Mind
Syphon Mind is an intriguing spell in Magic: The Gathering, offering both card advantage and disruption to your opponents. It’s akin to cards like Night’s Whisper, which also allows a player to draw two cards but without affecting other players. However, Syphon Mind has the unique advantage of potentially netting a three-card swing in favor of the caster while making each opponent discard a card.
Hymn to Tourach is another card that disrupts opponents’ hands, forcing them to discard two cards at random. While Hymn to Tourach hits harder early on by denying specific resources, Syphon Mind’s later game impact can be more disruptive by diminishing your opponents’ larger hand sizes. Then there’s Painful Quandary, a card that puts constant pressure on opponents as they cast spells, but lacks the immediate card draw that Syphon Mind provides upon casting.
In summary, Syphon Mind stands out as a powerful option within the realm of discard and draw spells—its ability to disrupt multiple players while replenishing your own hand makes it exceptionally potent in multiplayer formats.
Cards similar to Syphon Mind by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Syphon Mind excels in providing card advantage by making each opponent discard a card while you draw cards equal to the number discarded. This can easily take the momentum away from your opponents and put you ahead in terms of hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Syphon Mind itself doesn’t directly generate additional mana, the removal of key cards from opponents’ hands can slow them down, effectively giving you a resource and tempo advantage as they struggle to regain their board presence.
Instant Speed: While Syphon Mind operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game is immediate, similar to an instant-speed board effect. The sequential play of discard and draw can catch opponents off guard, upsetting their plans and giving you the upper hand during your own turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Syphon Mind asks each opponent to discard a card, which could potentially backfire by filling up their graveyards with resources they can later exploit, especially in a game with graveyard-focused strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both black mana and generic mana, this card is restricted to black-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored or colorless setups.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana to cast, this spell’s cost is significant, and in early game scenarios, it could slow down your tempo in comparison to other card draw options with lower mana requirements.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Syphon Mind is a valuable addition to any black deck arsenal, offering a powerful draw mechanism by allowing you to draw cards while also forcing opponents to discard, providing a double-edged advantage.
Combo Potential: When paired with other discard mechanics or cards that benefit from opponents discarding, Syphon Mind can become a cog in a devastating combo engine, disrupting your enemies while bolstering your hand.
Meta-Relevance: With games often revolving around card advantage, Syphon Mind’s ability to tip the scales in your favor can be crucial, particularly in multiplayer formats where its impact is magnified.
How to Beat Syphon Mind
Confronting Syphon Mind in Magic: The Gathering can often place players at a disadvantage due to its card advantage and disruption ability. This spell not only causes opponents to lose a card from their hand but also rewards the caster with additional cards, bolstering their resources. To successfully navigate against this card, it’s vital to employ a strategy that mitigates the impact of forced discard while preserving your own hand.
One effective technique is to maintain a lower hand size, making the discard less detrimental. This could involve playing out your hand quickly or utilizing cards with madness or other effects that trigger when discarded. Additionally, including instant-speed draw spells in your deck allows you to replenish your hand swiftly, reducing the potency of Syphon Mind’s effect. Lastly, countering this spell outright is perhaps the most direct way to nullify its threat. Counter spells, though they require precise timing, prevent Syphon Mind from resolving and can keep the balance of cards in your favor.
By adopting these approaches, players can weaken the impact of Syphon Mind and maintain their footing in the game. The key is preparation and understanding how to make the most of disruptive moments within the match.
BurnMana Recommendations
Successfully integrating Syphon Mind into your MTG deck is all about strategic planning and understanding the meta. Deck building that emphasizes card advantage can turn this card into a powerhouse, shifting the game greatly in your favor. Syphon Mind shines in formats where multiples are dealt with ease, so consider this when sculpting your strategy and card choices. If you’re keen to find out more about maximizing the potential of cards like Syphon Mind in your MTG games or looking for that next-level insight into mono-black mastery and multiplayer mind games, our comprehensive guides and expert analysis are just a click away. Dive deeper with us and gain the competitive edge you’re looking for.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Syphon Mind MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and DCI Promos, 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 Syphon 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
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Printings
The Syphon Mind Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Jeff Easley.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 175 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
2 | 2006-01-02 | DCI Promos | PDCI | 40 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
3 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 42 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
4 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 104 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
5 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
6 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
7 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
8 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
9 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 772 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
10 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 206 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Syphon Mind has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |