Wand of Denial MTG Card

Wand of Denial allows peeking at an opponent’s next card, offering a beneficial tactical edge. Instant speed activation enables strategic responses without hindering your own turn’s maneuvers. It thrives in decks designed to leverage the informational advantage it consistently provides.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

oc T: Look at the top card of target player's library. If that card is a nonland card, you may pay 2 life to put it into that player's graveyard.

You'll never miss what you never had.

Cards like Wand of Denial

The Wand of Denial is a unique artifact in the universe of Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards that manipulate or gain information about the opponent’s strategy. For example, the classic card Crystal Ball also gives players a peek into the future, allowing scrying to rearrange the top cards of the deck.

Another similar tool in a player’s arsenal is Ghoulcaller’s Bell. While it doesn’t offer the direct denial power or the ability to check the top card, it does influence the game by milling the top card from each player’s library. On the flip side, it lacks the control over opponents’ draws that Wand of Denial provides.

When considering Orb of Dreams, players find themselves facing a card that affects untapping step, akin to how Wand of Denial can influence draw steps. Despite this, Orb of Dreams maintains a more passive role in the game, without the interactive elements that make Wand of Denial a more tactical choice.

In summary, while there are other cards that share certain aspects with Wand of Denial, none combine the same level of control and foresight into opponents’ plans, cementing its place in MTG as a tool for strategic denial and intelligence.

Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller's Bell - MTG Card versions
Orb of Dreams - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller's Bell - MTG Card versions
Orb of Dreams - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wand of Denial offers the ability to scrutinize the top card of an opponent’s library upon activation. This peeking ability can disrupt an opponent’s plans by potentially denying them a crucial draw, effectively providing a tactical card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Wand of Denial doesn’t directly generate mana, the information it provides can accelerate your game plan. Knowing what your opponent will draw allows for more informed decision-making in regards to resource allocation, thereby indirectly accelerating your strategy.

Instant Speed: The activation of Wand of Denial can be done at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to end your opponent’s turn without committing mana beforehand. This allows you to responsively adapt to the state of the game, whether you’re disrupting an opponent’s draw or choosing the best moment to act without sacrificing your turn’s plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wand of Denial does not have a discard effect itself, but it has a symbiotic relationship with cards that force discard, leading to potential downside when you don’t control the discard element. This can limit the effectiveness of the card in a vacuum; its power is contingent on a specific deck composition.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of mana to activate, including one blue mana, Wand of Denial can be challenging to play outside of mono-blue or two-color decks. This requirement can be restrictive and hinder its versatility in assorted deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activation cost of Wand of Denial, while providing a unique ability to control the top deck of an opponent, can be costly. In the current metagame, other mana-efficient cards might fulfill a similar role or offer more immediate value, making the high cumulative mana investment throughout a game a significant consideration.

Reasons to Include Wand of Denial in Your Collection

Versatility: Wand of Denial is a multifaceted card that can be easily integrated into control or artifact-centric decks. Its ability to peek at the top card of any player’s library offers strategic planning whether you’re anticipating your next draw or disrupting your opponent’s strategy.

Combo Potential: The Wand’s ability can be synergized with cards that manipulate the top of the deck, allowing for a combination that can help deny your opponent crucial resources while setting up your plays effectively.

Meta-Relevance: Given its unique ability to control the flow of the game, Wand of Denial is particularly useful in a meta that is heavy on top-deck strategies or where game tempo is key. In such an environment, having access to information and control can be the difference between victory and defeat.

How to beat

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Wand of Denial is recognized for its unique ability to control the flow of an opponent’s strategy. Notably, this card allows its controller to peek at the top card of an opponent’s library and potentially deny them of a crucial draw. To counteract Wand of Denial’s influence, a robust deck capable of multiple draws or card searching is advisable. Cards such as Brainstorm or Ponder amplify your chances of acquiring the cards you need, despite any Wand of Denial disruptions.

Additionally, incorporating artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Nature’s Claim can directly counter Wand of Denial by removing it from play. Another strategy is to utilize shuffle effects from cards like Fetch lands or Scapeshift to minimize the impact of the wand’s ability by refreshing the top card of your library. By implementing these strategies, you can efficiently safeguard your game plan against the potential roadblock caused by Wand of Denial.

Ultimately, it’s about anticipating the wand’s intervention and preparing your deck with countermeasures that ensure your deck’s performance remains consistent and resilient, regardless of the obstacles.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wand of Denial MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Wand of Denial and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wand of Denial Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Steve Luke.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 1591997NormalBlackSteve Luke
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 3171997NormalWhiteSteve Luke

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wand of Denial has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal