Volrath's Motion Sensor MTG Card

Gives players control over their draws, improving strategic gameplay and consistency on the field. Fosters resource acceleration, ensuring players hit land drops and set up for powerful future plays. Instant speed grants flexibility to react opportunistically and surprises opponents during game play.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set name	Unglued
Set code	UGL
Number	39
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Mark Tedin
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Text of card

When Volrath's Motion Sensor comes into play, choose target hand controlled by an opponent. Enchanted player balances Volrath's Motion Sensor on the back of that hand. If Volrath's Motion Sensor falls off the hand, sacrifice Volrath's Motion Sensor and that player loses 3 life.

Cards like Volrath's Motion Sensor

Volrath’s Motion Sensor introduces a unique dynamic to the intricate web of control tools available to Magic: The Gathering players. It echoes themes seen in cards like Propaganda or Ghostly Prison, which deter opponents from attacking by imposing a cost. The Sensor, however, adds a layer of subtlety by triggering only when an opponent declares attackers, possibly catching them off-guard and disrupting their combat plans without a constant tax.

Comparably, we have the Static Orb, which also employs disruption by limiting the untapping of permanents. While Static Orb affects all players and is more comprehensive in its reach, Volrath’s Motion Sensor targets solely the combat phase, enabling more strategic planning around it. Crawlspace is another relative here, limiting the number of creatures that may attack you, yet it lacks the surprise factor and adaptability that comes with the Sensor’s ability to affect multiple attackers in a single swoop.

In evaluating Volrath’s Motion Sensor alongside its counterparts, it stands out in its niche, offering MTG enthusiasts an innovative way to condition their opponents’ attack strategies and maintain the upper hand in the battlefield’s ebb and flow.

Cards similar to Volrath's Motion Sensor by color, type and mana cost

Phyrexian Reclamation - MTG Card versions

Bloodchief Ascension - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Volrath’s Motion Sensor shines by potentially manipulating the top card of your library, allowing for strategic planning and superior deck performance. Its ability can be a game-changer, setting you up for consistent delivery of the cards you need when you need them.

Resource Acceleration: This card presents an opportunity to manipulate your library to ensure you hit your land drops or set up for powerful spells. By effectively ensuring your next draw is more impactful, Volrath’s Motion Sensor acts as a catalyst for propelling your board state ahead of opponents.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Volrath’s Motion Sensor adds a layer of flexibility to your game plan. It allows you to make pivotal decisions at the most opportune moments, responding to your opponent’s actions or at the end of their turn to maximize efficiency and catch opponents off guard.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Volrath’s Motion Sensor necessitates discarding a card to initiate its ability. This action could deplete your hand, potentially putting you at a disadvantage if you require a variety of options or if you’re attempting to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: As with many specialized spells, this card demands a particular blend of mana to cast. It can be a challenge to amass the right combination, especially in a multi-colored deck where mana resources are spread across various requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a relatively steep mana cost for its effect. In a game where efficiency can be key, there might be alternative cards that provide similar outcomes without such a hefty mana investment, fitting more seamlessly into your game plan.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Volrath’s Motion Sensor fits seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes that prioritize card filtering and surprise tactics. Its ability to manipulate the top card of your library offers strategic depth across multiple formats.

Combo Potential: It synergizes well with cards that care about the top card of the library or that benefit from knowing what’s coming next. It’s a linchpin in setups that convert knowledge of the top deck card into direct advantages, making it a combo enabler.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment often celebrates smart and adaptable strategies, Volrath’s Motion Sensor excels in metagames where information is power. Its function to control ‘the draw’ can disrupt opponents’ plans while tailoring your own draws to navigate through the ebbs and flows of competitive play.

How to beat

Volrath’s Motion Sensor is a card that when properly utilized can be a real game-changer in MTG. Understandably, opponents may find it tricky to navigate around its intricate mechanics. The sensor’s ability to dictate the outcome of each turn means players have to strategize well ahead of time.

To successfully overcome this card, consider employing strategies that can operate under its radar. This includes hastening the pace of your play and using cards that negate or remove artifacts from the battlefield. It’s crucial to have enchantment removal or direct damage spells in your arsenal to disable the sensor before it can fully influence the game’s results. Moreover, aiming for cards that allow you to draw or play multiple lands in one turn can diminish the sensor’s controlling effect, granting you a better foothold in the match.

In essence, countering Volrath’s Motion Sensor’s potential requires a balance of speed, disruption, and resource maximization. By integrating these elements into your gameplay, you’ll enhance your chances of dismantling your opponent’s strategic deployment of this powerful card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Volrath's Motion Sensor MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Volrath's Motion Sensor and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products