Vodalian Hypnotist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Wizard |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 84 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Text of card
o B, oc T: Target player discards a card from his or her hand. Play this ability only any time you could play a sorcery.
"Deceit is the heart of war."
Cards like Vodalian Hypnotist
Vodalian Hypnotist brings a subtle yet potent form of control to Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of effect are cards like Burglar Rat or Yarok’s Fenlurker, both inducing opponents to discard. However, Vodalian Hypnotist offers the advantage of repeatability, allowing you to consistently nibble at your opponent’s hand, provided you can pay its activation cost and keep it on the battlefield.
Acquisitions Expert is another card that operates within the realm of forcing discards, but adds value by varying the cards your opponent has to discard based on the number of creatures with different powers you control. This adds a level of strategy that Vodalian Hypnotist doesn’t directly offer. Meanwhile, Rotting Rats brings a symmetrical element to the discard strategy, extracting cards from both players’ hands, which can be a boon or a setback depending on your game plan.
Analyzing these options, while other cards may cause discards at a faster or less targeted rate, the Vodalian Hypnotist stands out by granting repeatable, targeted discard potential, making it a persistent threat to an opponent’s hand in longer games. This craftsmanship in design makes it a card with a very specific and strategic use in MTG.
Cards similar to Vodalian Hypnotist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Vodalian Hypnotist presents a unique opportunity to disrupt your opponent’s hand while bolstering your own strategy. The card’s ability may force the opponent to discard, gradually tilting the scales of card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the Hypnotist’s potential to remove key pieces from your opponent’s hand can indirectly accelerate your own game plan by hindering theirs.
Instant Speed: The swift nature of the Vodalian Hypnotist’s ability to be activated at instant speed allows for strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. This can catch adversaries off guard and make for unexpected shifts in the dynamic of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Vodalian Hypnotist is that its ability hinges on a player willing to discard cards, which isn’t always an ideal play. Especially in tight games where every card in hand counts, this requirement can be a substantial setback and may not always be the most strategic move.
Specific Mana Cost: Vodalian Hypnotist requires both blue and black mana to be played, which fixes it pretty firmly into Dimir decks or those running both colors. Players with a deck that isn’t aligned to these colors or those who don’t possess a flexible mana base may find it challenging to utilize this card optimally.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to cast, Vodalian Hypnotist may be seen as somewhat costly for its stats and effect. With many other cards in the same mana range providing more impactful and immediate advantages on the board, the Hypnotist might not always make the cut when deck building in highly competitive formats.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vodalian Hypnotist offers flexibility, fitting seamlessly into blue or black based control decks that leverage subtle disruption tactics.
Combo Potential: This merfolk rogue has synergies with strategies revolving around hand disruption or tapping and untapping creatures for multiple uses.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where players rely heavily on their hand contents, Vodalian Hypnotist can be a key card to throw opponents off their game plan.
How to Beat Vodalian Hypnotist
As players of Magic: The Gathering will know, countering the abilities of a card like Vodalian Hypnotist requires strategic planning. This blue merfolk wizard’s ability to force a discard upon successfully dealing combat damage can be debilitating if not checked. To nullify this effect, it is essential to prioritize removal spells, specifically those that can target and destroy creatures before damage is dealt.
Cards such as Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, or Fatal Push are excellent choices, as they can dispatch the Hypnotist quickly and efficiently. Alternatively, having blockers with favorable power and toughness ratios to intercept the Vodalian Hypnotist can prevent it from inflicting its effect. Effective board control with creatures that have deathtouch, or using spells that give creatures -1/-1 until end of turn, can also help maintain an upper hand against it.
The key to overcoming a card like Vodalian Hypnotist lies in being proactive and reactive with your removal and control measures. Ensuring that your strategy includes these elements will minimize the Vodalian Hypnotist’s impact and maintain your grip on the game’s direction.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vodalian Hypnotist MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Vodalian Hypnotist and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vodalian Hypnotist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |