Frantic Search MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Facilitates card drawing and greater strategic depth, with potential for pivotal plays and gaining the upper hand.
  2. Instant speed allows for last-minute surprises and reactive strategies, making it a valuable asset in play.
  3. The card’s mana untapping feature can accelerate gameplay, serving as a tempo boost within the same turn.

Text of card

Draw two cards, then choose and discard two cards. Untap up to three lands.

Motivation was high in the academy once students realized flunking their exams could kill them.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Frantic Search lets you draw two cards, ensuring you have more options and the ability to dig deeper into your deck for the answers or resources you need.

Resource Acceleration: While this card does not generate additional mana as its initial effect, it does allow you to untap up to three lands, effectively giving you a burst of tempo and the potential for a significant mana boost the same turn it’s played.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Frantic Search means you can react to your opponents’ moves during their turn, maintain the element of surprise, and make more informed decisions with the additional cards drawn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside to using Frantic Search is the requirement to discard two cards. This can lead to a substantial depletion of your hand, especially if you’re already trailing behind in card advantage. In scenarios where every card in your hand is critical, activating Frantic Search may cost you valuable resources that could be necessary for future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Frantic Search demands a precise combination of mana to cast: two islands are needed among the three mana used. This specificity can be restrictive for multicolored decks that may not consistently have the required types of mana. Decks not heavily committed to blue mana sources might find it challenging to accommodate Frantic Search effectively within their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Frantic Search offers the beneficial effect of untapping lands, its zero-net-gain on mana can be seen as a drawback compared to other instant-speed options. Despite refunding the mana spent, the initial investment of three mana can be quite significant in the early to mid-game. Players must weigh the tempo loss if there’s no immediate value gain from the lands being untapped, as alternative cards could potentially provide an immediate impact on the game state for the same or lesser cost.


Reasons to Include Frantic Search in Your Collection

Versatility: Frantic Search is exceptional for its ability to slide into multiple deck archetypes, from storm to control, granting you the flexibility of card draw and mana untapping without costing you a dime in your mana pool.

Combo Potential: As an enabler, the card synergizes with numerous strategies that capitalize on untapped lands or require significant hand cycling to combo off. Its ability to unlock and dig for combo pieces is unmatched.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of gameplay, the adaptability and efficiency of Frantic Search makes it a staple in environments where quick responses and resourcefulness are key to victory.


How to beat

Frantic Search is a classic card in MTG that offers formidable utility, providing card selection and temporary ramp at no cost after untapping lands. Outpacing this card involves disruptiveness and timing—targeted discard strategies can force the opponent to use it prematurely or remove it from their hand, eroding their meticulously arranged game plan. Graveyard hate can also stunt its utility; cards like Rest in Peace negate the benefits from their graveyard synergies, making Frantic Search less impactful.

Counterspells are another line of defense. By countering Frantic Search, you not only deny your opponent the opportunity to dig through their deck but also waste their resources. Efficient burn spells can also help you maintain pressure so that your opponent doesn’t have the leisure to set up Frantic Search combos or recover with it. Lastly, considering Frantic Search is commonly used in combo decks, applying continuous pressure can force your opponent to use their resources defensively, reducing their chances to set up a winning combo with Frantic Search at the core.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re fine-tuning your deck or strategizing for the next face-off, Frantic Search could be a key asset. This card excels in various settings, allowing for a significant tempo boost, combo execution, and instant-speed interactions. By leveraging its power to untap lands and draw cards, savvy MTG players can turn the tide of any match. Look out for its potential drawbacks, but also consider the strategic flexibility it affords. Keen to deepen your understanding of Frantic Search and how it can enhance your gameplay? Join us to unravel the intricate plays and hidden synergies that could propel you to the top of the MTG realm.


Cards like Frantic Search

Frantic Search stands out in the realm of card filtering options available to Magic: The Gathering players. It shares conceptual space with the card Thirst for Knowledge, where both enable the player to draw cards and then discard. Yet, Frantic Search is unique as it allows the user to untap lands, essentially making it a free play if timed correctly. Unlike Thirst for Knowledge, which requires discarding an artifact or two cards, Frantic Search provides flexibility in discarding, allowing for more strategic deck synergy and manipulation.

Another card worth comparing is Compulsive Research. At face value, both appear to offer similar draw and discard mechanics. However, Compulsive Research demands the user to discard a land if not discarding two cards, which can be restrictive depending on the deck’s strategy. Frantic Search, by comparison, does not have such constraints, giving players the freedom to maintain land drops and hand consistency.

To sum it up, while there are several cards in the MTG universe that mimic the draw and discard tactics, Frantic Search affords a unique blend of cost-efficiency, strategic depth, and tactical adaptability, placing it in a favorable position among its peers for deck builders valuing finesse and tempo.

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Compulsive Research - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - Mirrodin (MRD)
Compulsive Research - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Frantic Search by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Vex - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Psionic Blast - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Capsize - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Intuition - Tempest (TMP)
Forbid - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Exclude - Invasion (INV)
Crystal Spray - Invasion (INV)
Hibernation - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Circular Logic - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Keep Watch - Judgment (JUD)
Archmage's Charm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Commander's Insight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Ixidor's Will - Onslaught (ONS)
Catalog - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Vex - Darksteel (DST)
Thirst for Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2004 (WC04)
Murmurs from Beyond - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Venser's Diffusion - Future Sight (FUT)
Dream Fracture - Conspiracy (CNS)
Oona's Grace - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Frantic Search MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and Urza's Legacy, 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 Frantic Search and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Frantic Search Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 502015normalblackJeff Miracola
21999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 321997normalblackJeff Miracola
32000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 tvdl321997normalgoldJeff Miracola
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 702015normalblackJeff Miracola
52018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 572015normalblackMitchell Malloy
62019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3862015normalblackMitchell Malloy
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 2282015normalborderlessMarija Tiurina
82020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1112015normalblackMitchell Malloy
92020-09-26The ListPLST UMA-572015normalblackMitchell Malloy
102022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 2222015normalblackMitchell Malloy
112023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2851997normalblackMitchell Malloy
122023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 512015normalblackMitchell Malloy
132023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 962015normalblackMitchell Malloy
142023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6322015normalborderlessJeff Miracola
152023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 932015normalblackMitchell Malloy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Frantic Search has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperBanned
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-12-07 You draw two cards and discard two cards all while Frantic Search is resolving. Nothing can happen between the two, and no player may choose to take actions.
2022-12-08 You choose which lands to untap as the spell resolves. They aren't targeted, and they don't have to be lands that you control.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks