Underhanded Designs MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Underhanded Designs provides you with an opportunity to draw cards through its triggered ability whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control. This can facilitate a steady flow of resources to outpace your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Tapping into the an essential element of strategy, this card gives you an upper hand by using life loss as a resource. While it doesn’t directly accelerate mana, the ability to pay mana to cause loss of life provides indirect resource acceleration by disrupting your opponent’s board state and conserving your own in-game resources.

Instant Speed: The power to activate Underhanded Designs’ second ability at instant speed provides you with the tactical advantage of waiting for the opportune moment, whether that’s disrupting a critical play by your opponent or ending the game by depleting their life total when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside to Underhanded Designs is the necessity to discard a card for its activated ability. This can be a tough call for players when hand size is already dwindling, potentially leaving them at a disadvantage in terms of available options.

Specific Mana Cost: The specificity of mana needed to activate Underhanded Designs can be restrictive. It requires both black mana and generic mana, which might not always align with a player’s mana base at a crucial moment, especially in multicolor decks that have a tighter mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Underhanded Designs provides both a passive effect and an activated ability, its setup cost weighs in at two mana – one black, one generic. For a card that demands an ongoing investment to truly shine, some players might opt for alternatives that offer more immediate impact or a lower threshold for activation.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Underhanded Designs exhibits remarkable flexibility by functioning both as a deterrent against opponents’ creatures and an enabler for your own artifact strategies.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to sacrifice itself for removal synergizes with artifact-centric combos, while also contributing to the artifact count needed for its triggered life loss effect.

Meta-Relevance: This card offers an edge in environments where artifact decks are prevalent or when incremental life-loss can disrupt the balance in a tight game state.

How to beat

Underhanded Designs, a unique enchantment from the Kaladesh set, adds a strategic layer to gameplay in MTG. Its ability to drain life from opponents whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control can be formidable. Additionally, with enough artifacts, it can destroy a target creature, tipping the balance in your favor.

To counteract Underhanded Designs, consider disrupting the artifact synergy it thrives on. Artifact removal spells become key, as taking out key pieces can reduce the effectiveness of the enchantment. Also, prioritize enchantment removal to deal with Underhanded Designs directly. Focus on maintaining a responsive hand that can adapt to your opponent’s moves and deactivate their strategy before it fully unfolds.

Overall, although Underhanded Designs has the potential to be a powerful component in an artifact-heavy deck, there are several ways to mitigate its impact on the game. Effective removal and an adaptable strategy are crucial to overcoming the challenges posed by this cunning enchantment.

BurnMana Recommendations

Perfecting your deck in MTG is a delicate dance of strategy, utilizing cards that harmonize with your winning vision. Underhanded Designs is a card that offers intriguing possibilities for those who revel in artifact play. It’s a nuanced piece for your puzzle, bringing card advantage and instant speed tricks that can catch an opponent off-guard. However, its specific requirements and activation costs demand a well-thought-out approach. Dive deeper with us into the art of the bluff and subtle power plays that can elevate your game. Enhance your collection and stratagem by exploring the full potential of Underhanded Designs.