Mindless Null MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie
Released	2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar
Set code	ZEN
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	103
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Karl Kopinski

Key Takeaways

Mindless Null offers deck synergy for sacrifice strategies, potentially accelerating resource gain.
Restrictive conditions for blocking and specific mana cost limit Mindless Null’s versatility in gameplay.
Despite drawbacks, Mindless Null can be a quirky surprise in casual play and niche synergies.

Text of card

Mindless Null can't block unless you control a Vampire.

Only a bloodchief can create vampires. The rest sire nulls, who become mindless beasts in their former bodies.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Mindless Null might not directly offer card advantage, its low cost makes it a feasible option for decks that can benefit from having creatures on the board without expending valuable resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although not traditionally used for mana ramping, incorporating Mindless Null into sacrifice strategies can expedite your game plan by acting as fodder for various sacrificial engines that translate creatures into more resources.

Instant Speed: Mindless Null itself does not operate at instant speed, but playing it can leave your mana untapped to respond to opponents’ threats with instant-speed tricks or removals in your hand without compromising board presence.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mindless Null’s ability to block hinges on a rather restrictive condition. Players must discard another card, which can prove detrimental during a critical juncture where every card in hand counts. This limitation not only affects strategic flexibility but also can inadvertently accelerate the depletion of your resources, putting you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Mindless Null requires a precise mana arrangement, one black and two of any color. This specificity might not align seamlessly with all deck types, especially those that are mana-diverse and cannot consistently provide the necessary black mana when needed. This makes the card less versatile and potentially a dead draw in hands that are color-strapped.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at three, Mindless Null may not be the most mana-efficient creature on the field. Considering other cards that can be played for the same or lower cost, the overall value you gain from Mindless Null is questionable, especially when you factor in its blocking condition. Many players would opt for alternatives that offer more immediate and unconditional benefits for the same investment.

Reasons to Include Mindless Null in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindless Null might not be the first pick in competitive play, but it can be a surprising addition to casual Zombie decks, enhancing the theme and offering a fun twist to your game night.

Combo Potential: Although not overtly powerful, this card can synergize with sacrifice mechanics or as a cost-effective creature that can be returned from the graveyard to the battlefield for various combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Mindless Null offers players a perspective on evolving deck strategies, especially in a meta that doesn’t expect a card like this. It can be a wildcard in your roster that catches opponents off guard in less formal MTG settings.

How to beat

Mindless Null often catches new players off guard in the MTG universe due to its quirky drawback that it can’t block unless you control a Vampire. While this may seem like a significant limitation, seasoned players can flip this condition to their advantage. Tackling a creature with such a restriction starts with understanding the flow of your deck and the creatures you control.

To outmaneuver Mindless Null, leverage it as an opportunity to put your opponent on the defensive. Employ a strategy rich with removal spells to keep the board clear of Vampires, rendering Mindless Null a non-threat when it comes to blocking. Additionally, don’t overlook the potential of enchantments that keep creatures tapped down, circumventing the Null’s ability to block entirely. Swiftly deploying creatures that outclass Mindless Null in combat is another straightforward path to take, as it tends to be an underwhelming presence without its Vampire companions.

In conclusion, overcoming the peculiarities of Mindless Null is about maintaining board control and applying pressure. By disrupting your opponent’s field and carefully considering your combat strategy, this oft-underestimated card transforms from a nuisance into an ineffectual bystander in the broader scope of the game.

Cards like Mindless Null

Mindless Null finds its place among the myriad of creature cards in MTG, resembling other low-cost minions like Walking Corpse or Gutter Skulk. However, Mindless Null comes with a unique drawback – it can’t block unless you control a Vampire, which limits its defensive capabilities. While Walking Corpse offers a straightforward 2/2 zombie body sans extra conditions, Gutter Skulk requires one less mana to play but also falls short in power with a stat line of 2/1.

In creature card comparisons, Ravenous Rats emerges as a particularly interesting foil to Mindless Null. It not only provides a body to block or attack with but also forces the opponent to discard a card upon entering the battlefield, giving you a subtle edge in resource denial. Alas, the Rats don’t hold up in combat strength, being only a 1/1.

Assessing creature value for their mana cost and ability conditions is crucial in MTG. Though Mindless Null may not offer the utility or simplicity of some of its counterparts, its specific Vampire synergy could be leveraged within a niche deck composition, emphasizing the diverse strategic options players can explore within the game.

Cards similar to Mindless Null by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindless Null MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Mindless Null and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindless Null has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-10-01	Whether you control a Vampire matters only at the time you declare blockers. Once Mindless Null blocks a creature, that won’t change, even if all the Vampires you control leave the battlefield.