Widespread Panic MTG Card

Widespread Panic inhibits opponents’ strategies by forcing deck shuffles, diminishing combo potential. Demands discard when shuffling, constrains deck-building with specific mana needs. Effective in metas reliant on tutoring, pairs well with library manipulation strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2013-11-01
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2013
Set code	C13
Number	131
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Kendall

Text of card

Whenever a spell or ability causes its controller to shuffle his or her library, that player puts a card from his or her hand on top of his or her library.

"How thin is the veneer of civilization! A modest measure of panic will wash it off completely." —Guard Erdrud of An Karras

Cards like Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic is an intriguing enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that impacts game dynamics by restricting opponents’ abilities to search their library without consequence. In a similar strategic space, you’ll find cards like Stranglehold, which outright prevents opponents from searching their libraries, thereby creating an even stronger lockdown effect. However, Widespread Panic allows searching but punishes the searcher by making them shuffle and put cards from their hand on top of their library; a subtle yet potent form of disruption.

Looking at cards like Aven Mindcensor, we see a limited version that reduces the areas an opponent can search – they can only look at the top four cards when they’re instructed to search their library. This curtails opponents’ abilities to find what they need without the direct punishment seen in Widespread Panic. Then there’s Ob Nixilis, Unshackled, a creature that takes the concept further by applying life loss and creature sacrifice whenever an opponent dares to search their library.

In essence, while each of these cards revolves around manipulating the library search mechanics, Widespread Panic distinguishes itself as a unique middle ground in terms of library search hindrance, nudging players toward a different deck-building strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

Ob Nixilis, Unshackled - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Widespread Panic by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Widespread Panic offers a unique approach to disrupting your opponents’ strategies while indirectly gaining card advantage. By forcing opponents to shuffle their library whenever a spell is cast, the chance of them drawing into their well-planned combos or key cards decreases, potentially putting you ahead in the game’s progression.

Resource Acceleration: While Widespread Panic itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it can indirectly cause opponents to waste time and resources attempting to mitigate its effects or having to restructure their plays, allowing you to capitalize on their hindered board state.

Instant Speed: As a static ability on an enchantment, Widespread Panic’s effect is continuously active, providing a persistent threat that works at instant speed without the need to allocate mana each turn. This constant board presence can act as a deterrent, influencing opponents to play around it and therefore altering the pace and strategy of their game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Widespread Panic necessitates players to toss a card every time they search their library. This can set you back, particularly when your hand is already sparse and each card you hold is critical for your gameplay strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Widespread Panic demands both red and white mana, making it less versatile for decks that do not run on these colors. This particular mana combination can be restrictive and is not always easily accommodated in multi-colored decks that prioritize other hues.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost requiring three specific mana, including one red and one white, Widespread Panic may seem burdensome when compared to other enchantments or spells that either cost less or provide a more immediate impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Widespread Panic is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various decks, particularly those aiming to control or disrupt the opponent’s plans. Its ability to limit searching libraries is universally applicable, making it a helpful tool across multiple playing styles.

Combo Potential: Not only does this card serve to frustrate opponents relying on library search mechanisms, but it also pairs well with strategies designed to punish or capitalize on shuffling. Combined with cards that track or manipulate library order, Widespread Panic can be a key component of a powerful control combo.

Meta-Relevance: The evolving MTG landscape often sees decks that lean on tutoring effects and library manipulation. Widespread Panic serves as a potent countermeasure to those strategies, making it a smart addition to your collection, ready to deploy in a meta where searching libraries is a common tactic.

How to beat

Widespread Panic is an intriguing card that can create a real challenge on the board. Its ability to force players to shuffle their libraries whenever they search for a card has the potential to disrupt strategic plays significantly. To navigate around this card’s effect, it’s crucial to adapt your playstyle to minimize searching your library or to find ways to remove Widespread Panic from the field.

Consider the strength of direct removal spells that can target enchantments such as Disenchant or Naturalize. These provide a clean and immediate answer to Widespread Panic without having to alter your deck’s strategy too much. Another method is to rely on decks that don’t have a heavy focus on tutors or searching their library, thus negating the card’s disruptive power.

Playing against Widespread Panic demands a strategy that either sidesteps its effects entirely or eliminates it quickly – ensuring that your deck still operates efficiently without giving your opponent the upper hand. Keep evasion and removal options in mind, and you’ll keep the panic at bay, maintaining control of your game plan.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Widespread Panic MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2013, 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 Widespread Panic and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Widespread Panic has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Widespread Panic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-10-17	Widespread Panic’s ability is put onto the stack after the library is shuffled.