Thought Monitor MTG Card


Enables card draw on casting, providing a direct advantage in card economy. Affinity for artifacts potentially reduces its mana cost, hastening deck tempo. Thought Monitor’s dual utility bolsters both handsize and board presence.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities Affinity,Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Affinity for artifacts Flying When Thought Monitor enters the battlefield, draw two cards.

It roams the skies over the Quicksilver Sea, alert for any hint of aberrant thought.


Cards like Thought Monitor

Thought Monitor has quickly found its niche among artifact decks in Magic: The Gathering. It evokes similarities to cards like Thoughtcast, which offers the advantage of Affinity for Artifacts, thus reducing its cost based on the number of artifacts a player controls. Thought Monitor takes this a step further by not only drawing two cards like Thoughtcast but also adding a creature to the board, providing an additional means for defense or pressure. The synergy it has with artifacts makes it a powerhouse in the right deck.

In a similar vein, we can compare it to Frogmite and Myr Enforcer, both of which benefit from the Affinity mechanic and can be played for a reduced cost in a heavily artifact-oriented deck. While they don’t grant card draw, they are complementary pieces in strategies that maximize the value of having numerous artifacts in play. Thought Monitor provides this same utility while also replenishing a player’s hand, which can be crucial in maintaining momentum.

Summarizing these comparisons, Thought Monitor stands out due to the dual utility of enlarging your artifact army while also refueling your hand – a compelling combination that gives artifact strategies a significant edge in gameplay.

Thoughtcast - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Thoughtcast - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions

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Arcane Proxy - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
AffinityAffinity ModernAffinityModern Challenge 32 2024-05-09
PainterPainter LegacyPainterLegacy League 2024-05-11
Patchwork StompyPatchwork Stompy LegacyPatchwork StompyLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-06 (1)
Izzet ArtifactsIzzet Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-12 (1)
Grixis ArtifactsGrixis Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-08
Other ShopsOther Shops VintageOther ShopsVintage Challenge 32 2024-05-09

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Thought Monitor offers a significant boost by enabling you to draw a card upon its entry to the battlefield. In the game where each card counts, this feature is a key component in edging out your competition.

Resource Acceleration: As a creature with the affinity for artifacts, Thought Monitor can be played at a reduced cost. This benefit can accelerate your gameplay by allowing you to cast other spells sooner than usual, potentially leading to a quicker victory.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast spells at instant speed is not inherent to Thought Monitor; however, its casting cost reduction pairs well with other instant-speed interactions in your deck. This synergy allows for dynamic plays, keeping your opponent guessing and improving your reaction time to the evolving battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incorporating Thought Monitor into your game strategy entails meeting an artifact discard demand that can deplete your hand, diminishing your ability to maintain options and pressure on your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Thought Monitor’s casting cost, while potentially reduced in artifact-heavy decks, is specific and requires blue mana, thus restricting its seamless inclusion in decks that do not run blue or have a sufficient base of artifacts.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Thought Monitor’s mana cost can be lowered by controlling multiple artifacts, in non-artifact centric decks its seven mana cost is comparatively steep for a card of its effect, which can be unfavorable when pacing against decks with lower curve alternatives.


Reasons to Include Thought Monitor in Your Collection

Versatility: Thought Monitor offers a seamless fit into artifact-centric decks, playing a crucial role in strategies that revolve around synergistic interactions or simply need a reliable card-drawing engine.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature itself, Thought Monitor naturally synergizes with other artifacts, aiding combos by potentially reducing its own casting cost, while also refueling your hand to keep the momentum going.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors artifact strategies or a high artifact count, Thought Monitor’s cost-efficiency and ability to replenish resources make it a formidable player, adapting well to shifting competitive environments.


How to beat Thought Monitor

Thought Monitor, an artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, emerges as a noteworthy inclusion in decks emphasizing on artifact synergy. As a creature that can potentially draw you two cards while advancing your board state, it presents a challenge to opposing players aiming to maintain control of the game.

To effectively combat Thought Monitor, consider implementing artifact removal spells into your deck, such as Abrade or Krosan Grip, which can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by targeting their key artifacts. Additionally, countering the spell as it’s cast with instants like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent it from ever taking effect, preserving your position. Furthermore, playing around Thought Monitor’s affinity for artifacts by using cards like Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe to suppress your opponent’s ability to exploit their artifacts can cripple their game plans.

Ultimately, conquering Thought Monitor requires proactive measures. Whether you’re disrupting artifact strategies, countering key spells, or preventing the abilities of artifacts outright, maintaining these strategies can help tilt the match in your favor against decks utilizing Thought Monitor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and limitations of Thought Monitor is critical for any MTG player looking to enhance their artifact deck gameplay. With its ability to decrease your costs while providing card draws, it’s easy to see how it can be a game-changer on the battlefield. As you consider adding this card to your collection or facing it across the table, remember that each match is a new opportunity to outmaneuver your opponent with smart plays and anticipative strategies. Embrace the versatility of Thought Monitor in your artifact strategies, and for further insights on making the most of your MTG experience, we’re here to guide you through. Dive into our extensive resources and embrace the wisdom of seasoned players to enrich your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thought Monitor MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Thought Monitor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thought Monitor Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Martina Pilcerova.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 712015NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3412015NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova
32021-06-19Modern Horizons 2 PromosPMH2 71s2015NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 2612015NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 981997NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova
62024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1212015NormalBlackMartina Pilcerova

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thought Monitor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal