Unblinking Observer MTG Card


Grants an additional mana for casting instant or sorcery spells, potentially speeding up gameplay. Two-mana cost makes it accessible for early game deployment, aiding strategies favoring noncreature spells. Highly relevant in MTG meta where tempo and combo plays can rapidly shift the balance of the game.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Homunculus
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

: Add . Spend this mana only to pay a disturb cost or cast an instant or sorcery spell.

"Day 77: The homunculus within the crystal continues to mimic my every movement. I wonder what they are writing?" —Laboratory notes of Yzlkpk


Cards like Unblinking Observer

Unblinking Observer is a unique card designed for the control player’s arsenal within Magic the Gathering. This two-mana creature becomes an asset in decks that aim to cast instant or sorcery spells. Comparable to cards like Gilded Goose, the Observer offers a mana ability. However, instead of requiring a food token like the Goose, it provides a more streamlined advantage – specifically aiding in casting noncreature spells.

When eying the Apprentice Wizard, another card that ramps mana for a similar purpose, the Observer benefits from a lower casting cost, making it a timely option for decks needing early game momentum. Yet, unlike the Wizard, which can provide multiple mana, the Observer is limited to one extra mana per turn. Then there’s Vodalian Arcanist, a card that also offers cost reduction for spells but restricted to sorceries and instants. Unblinking Observer reveals its flexibility, being unconstrained by spell type, which can be critical for diverse spell-slinging strategies.

While assessing cards that enable faster gameplay and spellcasting, Unblinking Observer shines by striking a balance in cost-efficiency and support for noncreature spells, thus establishing itself as a potent tool for players favoring a spell-centric approach in their MTG gameplay.

Gilded Goose - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Arcanist - MTG Card versions
Gilded Goose - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Arcanist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unblinking Observer by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unblinking Observer allows a player to tap it for one generic mana but specifically to help cast instant or sorcery spells. Having access to additional mana can lead to casting more impactful spells quicker, possibly outpacing your opponent in gaining cards that affect the board state.

Resource Acceleration: This two-cost creature can be a game-changer in decks that revolve around casting numerous instants and sorceries. By essentially acting as an additional mana source, it accelerates your ability to utilize your resources more efficiently and play impactful spells ahead of curve.

Instant Speed: The mana provided by Unblinking Observer can be crucial when it comes to spells you can cast at instant speed. Having that extra mana available means you can respond to your opponents’ actions during their turn, leaving them with fewer options to counter your strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Being a critical aspect for maintaining hand advantage, Unblinking Observer doesn’t necessitate discarding. However, in similar card scenarios, discarding can hamper your game if you’re already contending with few cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Unblinking Observer requires a precise blend of mana, a blue and a generic, to be played. This does pose a limitation, as decks not invested in blue mana sources might find incorporating this card a challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana valuation of two for its ability set, some players might debate its cost-effectiveness. There are a variety of other cards that could potentially provide more impact or versatility for the same, if not a lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include Unblinking Observer in Your Collection

Versatility: Unblinking Observer can be a solid addition to decks that require mana-fixing. Its ability to add one mana of any color solely for casting instant or sorcery spells offers invaluable flexibility, particularly in multicolor spell-slinger decks.

Combo Potential: This humble Homunculus could be the lynchpin in combos, acting as a mana accelerant to unleash powerful spells ahead of schedule. When paired with cards that untap creatures or cards that reduce the cost of instants and sorceries, the potential for a devastating combo increases.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tempo plays and casting numerous spells in a single turn can outpace your opponents, Unblinking Observer provides the speed and efficiency required. As control decks and creative combo setups remain prevalent, having this card on the board could swing the game in your favor from an early stage.


How to beat

Unblinking Observer is a handy tool in the arsenal of blue mages in Magic: The Gathering. This two-mana creature not only offers the utility of tapping for a mana, which can solely be spent on instants or sorcery spells, but it also serves as a blocker against early aggressors on the board. To effectively counter Unblinking Observer, prioritize removal spells that can deal with it swiftly such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt. If you’re facing a deck dependent on this creature’s mana acceleration, consider using creature control cards like Essence Scatter to counter it as it hits the battlefield. Beating the Unblinking Observer often involves dismantling the opponent’s strategy plan around their instants and sorceries, leaving them crippled without the extra mana boost. So, incorporating flexible disruption in your deck could be the key to overpowering an opponent leveraging the Observer’s capabilities.

An alternative strategy is to go under or over; deploy a barrage of low-cost threats that the Observer can’t block effectively or go over the top with high-impact cards that render the mild mana advantage moot. Hence, understanding the role this creature plays in your opponent’s deck is crucial for developing the right game plan.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unblinking Observer MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Unblinking Observer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unblinking Observer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 822015NormalBlackFilip Burburan
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 822015NormalBlackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unblinking Observer has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal