The Master, Mesmerist MTG Card


Gives foresight into upcoming draws, setting up strategic plays to outpace the opponent. Can untap permanents at instant speed, providing flexibility and resource boosts. Demands careful resource management due to card discard and specific mana costs.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Time Lord Rogue
Abilities Goad
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

: Target creature an opponent controls with power less than or equal to The Master's power gains skulk until end of turn. Goad it. (A creature with skulk can't be blocked by creatures with greater power.) Whenever a creature with skulk deals combat damage to one of your opponents, put a +1/+1 counter on The Master and draw a card.


Cards like The Master, Mesmerist

The Master, Mesmerist represents a unique facet within the intricate tapestry of MTG strategies. When looking at peers in its realm, one can draw parallels to cards like Hypnotic Siren and Enthralling Victor, both embodying control elements over opponents’ creatures. The Master, Mesmerist, though, distinguishes itself in its ability to sway creatures every turn, a persistent threat not generally seen in these once-off effects.

Hypnotic Siren, on its side, captures creatures only with its bestow cost, a significant mana investment compared to the cost-effective deployability of The Master, Mesmerist. Enthralling Victor offers a similar effect, claiming control of a creature temporarily upon entering the battlefield. However, The Master, Mesmerist’s continuous potential to ensnare creatures turn after turn sets a consistent tone for control that its counterparts cannot maintain without additional help.

It’s clear that, within the blue spell repertoire of MTG, The Master, Mesmerist commands a niche of ongoing control, presenting players with recurring value and tactical advantage that sets it apart from other creature-command spells in the game.

Hypnotic Siren - MTG Card versions
Enthralling Victor - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Siren - MTG Card versions
Enthralling Victor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Master, Mesmerist by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
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Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
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Gisa and Geralf - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
Notion Thief - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
Doomsday Specter - MTG Card versions
Possessed Aven - MTG Card versions
Marsh Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Moroii - MTG Card versions
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Specter - MTG Card versions
Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions
Evil Twin - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Liege - MTG Card versions
Kathari Remnant - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Nullifier - MTG Card versions
Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions
Gisa and Geralf - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
Notion Thief - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When The Master, Mesmerist enters the battlefield, it lets you peek at the top cards of your library. This not only provides you valuable information about what’s coming up, but can also set up your next draws for maximum impact, keeping you steps ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As a mesmerist, this card has the potential to untap your permanents, possibly ramping up your resources. This can be a game changer, especially if you’re using permanents that produce mana or have tap abilities that are essential to your strategy.

Instant Speed: The Master, Mesmerist may have abilities that can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plans during their turn. This keeps your opponents guessing and allows you to make moves without having to commit to a strategy too early.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Master, Mesmerist necessitates that you discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly, especially in long games where resources become scarce and crucial to your strategy’s success.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning The Master, Mesmerist requires a precise combination of mana colors, which may not always be readily available. This can complicate its integration into decks that aren’t specifically tailored to accommodate its mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana expenditure needed, The Master, Mesmerist can be a costly addition to your pool. In fast-paced matches, deploying such a card might stall your momentum, as there are other creatures or spells that could be more mana-efficient for their effects.


Reasons to Include The Master, Mesmerist in Your Collection

Versatility: The Master, Mesmerist showcases great flexibility as it can be slotted into various deck archetypes. Its unique ability to manipulate and control the stack makes it an advantageous card for players who enjoy dictating the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that revolve around casting or copying instant and sorcery spells. It can amplify the effects of your spells or disrupt opponents’, opening avenues for powerful combo finishes.

Meta-Relevance: Given its disruptive capabilities, The Master, Mesmerist is relevant in a meta where instant-speed interaction is key. It can be a potent addition to sideboards or main decks, aiming to outwit opponents in highly strategic and interactive games.


How to beat

The Master, Mesmerist presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield with its ability to control the flow of battle in Magic: The Gathering. To outmaneuver this deceiver, one must utilize a strategy that bypasses its influence over creatures. Creatures with hexproof or shroud provide a safeguard against the Mesmerist’s targetable spells and abilities. In addition, spells that can’t be countered are invaluable as they guarantee impactful plays without the fear of being thwarted.

It’s crucial to keep removal spells at the ready, specifically instant speed ones that can disrupt the Mesmerist’s plans before they take full effect. Moreover, considering the Mesmerist’s ability to sway combat, aggressive strategies that put a swift clock on the opponent can outpace the control elements this trickster brings to the table. Keeping pressure on resources and maintaining a strong tempo can often lead to victory against this wily mage.

Ultimately, beating The Master, Mesmerist hinges on foresight and the ability to play around its control capabilities. By prioritizing permanents that elude its grasp and employing non-counterable, instant spells, you forge a pathway toward triumph over the mesmerizing manipulation The Master, Mesmerist is known for.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Master, Mesmerist MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 The Master, Mesmerist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Master, Mesmerist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 11352015NormalBorderlessSteve Morris
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 5442015NormalBorderlessSteve Morris
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 1452015NormalBlackErion Makuo
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 10192015NormalBlackErion Makuo
52023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 7502015NormalBlackErion Makuo
62023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 4282015NormalBlackErion Makuo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Master, Mesmerist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Master, Mesmerist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-10-13 If an effect instructs you to choose a creature type, you may choose Time Lord.
2023-10-13 Neither "Time" nor "Lord" are creature types. Some older cards were printed with the subtype "Lord," but all of those cards have updated Oracle card text that removed that type.
2023-10-13 Unlike other creature types in Magic that are each only one word, the two words "Time Lord" represent a single creature subtype. Time Lord is the only two-word creature type.