Thief of Sanity MTG Card


Thief of Sanity grants card advantage and potential board control with each successful attack. Strategically versatile; Thief of Sanity fits multiple deck types, particularly those that disrupt opponents. Effective removal and strategic play can mitigate Thief of Sanity’s potential impact in matches.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Specter
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying Whenever Thief of Sanity deals combat damage to a player, look at the top three cards of that player's library, exile one of them face down, then put the rest into their graveyard. You may cast that card for as long as it remains exiled, and mana of any type can be spent to cast it.


Cards like Thief of Sanity

Thief of Sanity joins the ranks of impactful creature cards that bring a strategic edge in MTG. It echoes the disruptive abilities found in cards like Gonti, Lord of Luxury. Both cards allow you to play with your opponent’s deck, but Thief of Sanity offers a more consistent effect due to its trigger on dealing combat damage. Unlike Gonti, who provides a one-time effect on entering the battlefield.

Another peer in this space is Nightveil Specter, which shares the power to exile cards from the top of your opponent’s library and play them. However, Thief of Sanity has the added benefit of an element of choice, permitting you to pick the best of the three top cards instead of being constrained to just the top card. Furthermore, Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver provides a similar disruptive library-exiling mechanic in a planeswalker format that also targets the opponent’s strategy.

Evaluating their roles in the game, Thief of Sanity’s combination of selective disruption and versatility makes it a potent tool against various decks, capable of turning your opponent’s strength into your own. This adaptability solidifies its place in many MTG strategies that thrive on not just resource denial but resource acquisition as well.

Gonti, Lord of Luxury - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver - MTG Card versions
Gonti, Lord of Luxury - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thief of Sanity by color, type and mana cost

Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Urborg Drake - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Mundungu - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Urborg Phantom - MTG Card versions
Urborg Drake - MTG Card versions
Dralnu's Pet - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Thief of Sanity. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists ModernMTG China Open S5 Regional Championship
Esper ControlEsper Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
Dimir ControlDimir Control PioneerPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thief of Sanity excels at providing card advantage by allowing you to exile the top card of your opponent’s library every time it deals combat damage to a player. You may then cast that card, spending mana as though it were any color, which not only enhances your options but potentially weakens your opponent’s future plays.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your own resources, Thief of Sanity disrupts your opponent’s deck, indirectly providing a form of resource acceleration. By casting your opponent’s spells, you’re effectively gaining additional resources without expending your own cards, preserving your hand while expanding your on-field presence.

Instant Speed: Although Thief of Sanity itself is not an instant-speed spell, the ability to use the exiled cards at instant speed can provide strategic advantages. You may cast the exiled card using available mana during either player’s turn, granting you flexibility and the element of surprise, akin to playing with instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect where Thief of Sanity can be a challenge is the necessity to exile a card from an opponent’s library when it deals combat damage. While it may not strictly be discarding, this requirement hinges on successful attack, which could be interrupted or prevented, making it less reliable at times.

Specific Mana Cost: Thief of Sanity comes with a specific mana cost demand (one blue, one black, and one generic), which restricts it to decks that can accommodate both colors. This can complicate the deck-building process, especially when working within a tight mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Thief of Sanity can be a bit of a stretch in the early game. Although the effects are potent, some players may find it a slightly expensive investment in faster-paced games or matchups where early board presence is crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thief of Sanity is a dynamic card that can be incorporated into various deck archetypes. It shines in control or midrange decks that thrive on disrupting opponents and utilizing their resources.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique ability to play cards from an opponent’s deck opens up extensive combo possibilities. It pairs well with strategies that manipulate or exile cards from the opponent’s library, adding an element of surprise and adaptability to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-based strategies, Thief of Sanity stands out as a powerful threat. Its capability to attack your opponent’s game plan while bolstering your own makes it a valuable asset in many competitive environments.


How to Beat

The Thief of Sanity card commands attention on the battlefield with its potential to disrupt opponents by sifting through their decks. When this flying nightmare connects, it exiles the top three cards of the opponent’s library, offering you valuable insights and the chance to cast one of those cards as long as Thief of Sanity remains on the field. Denying your adversary their key pieces can be game-deciding, making Thief of Sanity a target that players must address promptly.

To effectively neutralize Thief of Sanity, targeted removal spells are your best friend. Instant-speed interactions such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the thief before it pilfers any strategic advantages from your deck. Additionally, cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can put a lid on the Thief’s ability to cast the exiled cards. It’s also beneficial to deploy creatures with reach or spells that can grant your creatures the ability to block flying creatures. Keeping your skies clear of threats like Thief of Sanity is crucial in maintaining control over the flow of the game.

Remember, staying vigilant and responsive to threats like Thief of Sanity can be the difference between victory and watching your carefully crafted strategies unravel from the shadows of your opponent’s cunning plays.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is a continuous quest for knowledge and tactical prowess, especially when it comes to leveraging powerful cards like Thief of Sanity. Its unique ability to gain card advantage and disrupt your opponent’s library makes it a must-have for players who enjoy control and surprise elements in their gameplay. Our insights dissect not just the attributes of the card but also strategies to incorporate or counteract it. We encourage you to delve into the details, refine your deck-building skills, and expand your tactical horizon. Ready to up your game? Venture further with us and harness the full potential of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thief of Sanity MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica Promos and Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Thief of Sanity and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thief of Sanity Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of Ravnica PromosPGRN 205p2015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 2052015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32018-10-05Guilds of Ravnica PromosPGRN 205s2015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
42022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3542015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
52024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 2122015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
62024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2432015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thief of Sanity has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-10-05 An effect that instructs you to “cast” a card doesn't allow you to play lands.
2018-10-05 Casting an exiled card causes it to leave exile. You can't cast it multiple times.
2018-10-05 In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, any spells or permanents you control from Thief of Sanity's effect are exiled, and any of the face-down exiled cards remain face down indefinitely. No player may look at them.
2018-10-05 Thief of Sanity's effect doesn't change when you can cast the exiled card. For example, if you exile a sorcery card, you can cast it only during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2018-10-05 You can still cast the exiled card if Thief of Sanity leaves the battlefield or leaves your control. If another player gains control of Thief of Sanity, that player can't cast the exiled card.