Watcher in the Mist MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 59
2024-02-23 - Number 104
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying,Surveil |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying When Watcher in the Mist enters the battlefield, surveil 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.)
Cards like Watcher in the Mist
In the realm of blue creatures within MTG, Watcher in the Mist stands out for its unique blend of abilities. This card is similar to other creatures like Cloudkin Seer, with both cards providing the benefit of drawing a card when they enter the battlefield. Watcher in the Mist, however, goes a step further with its surveil ability, allowing for deck manipulation that can set up future draws and graveyard strategies.
Another card that shares a resemblance is Aven Fogbringer. Both creatures have the power to influence the battlefield when they come into play. While Aven Fogbringer temporarily sets an opponent back by bouncing a land, Watcher in the Mist’s surveil provides a sustained advantage over the course of the game by ensuring the quality of your upcoming draws.
Looking at the broader picture, Watcher in the Mist competes well among its peers, offering both card draw and deck filtering — a potent combination for any player looking to capitalize on card advantage and strategic depth in MTG. The card’s balanced cost and utility make it a contender in decks that seek to leverage the power of flying creatures and top-deck control.
Cards similar to Watcher in the Mist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Watcher in the Mist provides you with a valuable scry 2 ability upon entering the battlefield. This effect not only sifts through the next draws, improving the quality of your hand but also indirectly facilitates drawing into more impactful cards. It’s an efficient way of maintaining momentum and can tilt the game in your favor by ensuring you access the spells you need when you need them.
Resource Acceleration: Although Watcher in the Mist doesn’t produce mana or Treasure tokens, it contributes to resource acceleration by helping you draw into your land drops or other mana sources more consistently. The scry 2 ability can help avoid mana glut or mana screw situations, leading to smoother and more strategic gameplay. This consistent access to your resources is critical for keeping pressure on your opponent and for executing your game plan without interruption.
Instant Speed: While Watcher in the Mist is not an instant itself, it synergizes well with a deck utilizing instant speed spells. This flying creature can slot into a strategy where you leave mana open to respond with instants and, if no response is needed, you can deploy this creature as a significant aerial threat during your turn. This flexibility ensures that your mana is never wasted and allows for a tactical advantage over your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Watcher in the Mist requires players to discard a card upon being targeted by some spells or abilities. This can become a setback when your hand is already depleted, and you’re forced to lose potentially crucial cards to protect your Watcher.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Watcher in the Mist is set at two blue mana and three generic mana, demanding a commitment to the blue color. This can be restrictive for decks that want to operate with a more flexible or diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana might be sizeable for the impact that Watcher in the Mist provides. In the evolving landscape of MTG, there are creatures and other spells that offer similar or greater effects for lower mana investments, which might lead players to consider alternative options for their deck builds.
Reasons to Include Watcher in the Mist in Your Collection
Versatility: Watcher in the Mist slides seamlessly into various blue-based decks seeking a balance between a solid body on the board and strategic card manipulation. The flying attribute gives it an evasive edge, offering board presence in both offensive and defensive plays.
Combo Potential: Upon entering the battlefield, its surveil ability allows for the customization of upcoming draws, setting up valuable combos by sifting through the deck to find key pieces. This manipulation can be a crucial component in finely-tuned decks.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where information and deck manipulation are key, Watcher in the Mist holds its ground. Surveil provides insight into what’s to come and filters away unnecessary draws, matching well against slower-paced games where each decision can tip the scales to victory.
How to beat
Watcher in the Mist is a blue creature card that brings with it a significant ability to shape a player’s upcoming turns through scrying upon entering the battlefield. Its power and toughness are well-balanced, making it a substantial presence on the board. To effectively counter this card, consider using instant-speed removal spells before the scry ability resolves, thus minimizing your opponent’s opportunity to set up their next draws. Spells such as Murder or Lightning Bolt can be quite effective in dealing with this creature.
In the realm of combat tricks, one might opt for something like Crushing Canopy or Prey Upon, which offer green a way to interact with blue’s evasive creatures. Alternatively, having a counter spell ready when your opponent casts Watcher in the Mist can prevent it from ever hitting the field. Addressing the card directly on the stack keeps the path ahead unseen for your opponent. The key lies in timing your responses accurately and maintaining the resources to do so amidst the broader strategy of your deck.
Ultimately, overcoming Watcher in the Mist requires a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. Engaging it directly or indirectly through board control or stack interaction can swing the game in your favor, demonstrating the dynamic nature of Magic: The Gathering matchups.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Watcher in the Mist MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica: Clue 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 Watcher in the Mist 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
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Printings
The Watcher in the Mist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 104 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Watcher in the Mist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Watcher in the Mist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | When you surveil, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards into your graveyard, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them into your graveyard. |
| 2018-10-05 | You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, you’ll surveil last. For others, you’ll surveil and then perform other actions. |