Vedalken Mastermind MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 40
2005-08-22 - Number H51
2007-07-13 - Number 123
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Wizard |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Instant speed action allows tactical plays during any phase of the game, increasing flexibility and potential surprise.
- Returning permanents can trigger enter-the-battlefield effects multiple times, creating significant advantage.
- Resource acceleration through bouncing mana rocks or lands can enhance mana flexibility.
Text of card
, : Return target permanent you control to its owner's hand.
The vedalken see other beings from a cold distance, as either experimental subjects or objects of study.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Vedalken Mastermind card offers a unique ability to return another permanent you control to its owner’s hand. Not only can this save your key pieces from removal, but it also pairs beautifully with enter-the-battlefield effects, essentially doubling their impact and ensuring a steady flow of advantages.
Resource Acceleration: A less direct benefit of Vedalken Mastermind is its potential to accelerate resources. By bouncing permanents like mana rocks or lands with benefits upon entering the battlefield, this card can subtly increase your resource availability, giving you an edge in mana flexibility and overall board presence.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is a crucial part of any strategic card game, and the Vedalken Mastermind operates at instant speed. This not only allows players to react to opponents’ actions but also creates opportunities to exploit untapped mana, making it a tactical asset during both your turn and your opponent’s.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One significant downside of playing Vedalken Mastermind is that it forces the player to discard a card. This can be particularly troubling when a player’s hand is already depleted, turning what could be a tactical play into a potential setback.
Specific Mana Cost: Vedalken Mastermind requires a precise type of mana to cast – blue. This specific mana requirement means that only players using blue-based decks can make the most of this card, potentially excluding a variety of other deck archetypes which might benefit from its abilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the mana cost to get Vedalken Mastermind onto the battlefield, players might find themselves questioning its efficiency. There are alternative cards available which might provide similar or better advantages for less mana, making this card a less attractive choice for players who value mana efficiency and immediate board impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vedalken Mastermind offers a flexible role in various deck archetypes due to its ability to return other nonland permanents to their owner’s hand. This makes it a valuable card in decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or need protection from targeted removal.
Combo Potential: With the right board setup, Vedalken Mastermind can become a key part of powerful combos. It allows for the repeated use of beneficial permanents and can help create infinite loops with cards that have beneficial enter-the-battlefield or leave-the-battlefield effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where permanents with potent activated abilities are prevalent, the Mastermind can consistently disrupt opponent’s plans. It excels in environments that are rich with enchantments, artifacts, and creatures that players want to reuse or save from exile or destruction.
How to beat
Vedalken Mastermind presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield with its ability to return permanents to its owner’s hand. This blue-aligned card offers strategic value, as it can be used to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects or save important cards from removal. But how do you outmaneuver this clever mage?
Firstly, speed is crucial. Apply pressure early in the game before the Vedalken Mastermind can set up its synergies. Aggressive strategies that put the opponent on the defensive give less room for them to exploit the flexibility the Mastermind offers. Additionally, removal spells that exile or force the player to sacrifice creatures can be effective since they don’t allow a window for the Mastermind to react.
Another tactic is to focus on non-targeted board wipes, which can clear the Vedalken Mastermind alongside other threats without the chance of being bounced. Lastly, consider cards that restrict the casting or activation of abilities. If the Mastermind can’t use its ability to manipulate the board, its influence on the game significantly decreases, leading you closer to victory.
Cards like Vedalken Mastermind
Vedalken Mastermind offers a unique dynamic to the blue control archetype in Magic: The Gathering, bearing some resemblance to other mana untapping cards. In line with cards like Vizier of Tumbling Sands, Vedalken Mastermind allows players to finesse their mana consumption and resources. While the Vizier can also untap another target permanent, its cycle ability provides card advantage at a cost.
Furthermore, Fatestitcher presents a parallel with its untap capability but is more versatile since it can target any permanent, not just lands. Though it doesn’t have the Vedalken Mastermind’s sheer power in consistently untapping noncreature permanents, it offers an unearth ability for late-game flexibility. Another notable comparison includes Kiora’s Follower, which serves a similar purpose but can be used more aggressively due to its ability to untap creatures as well.
Examining the nuances of these cards, Vedalken Mastermind stakes its claim with its persistent untapping ability, tailored for noncreature permanents, thus supporting a strategy that hinges on artifacts and enchantments. Its specific focus makes it a compelling choice for players looking to optimize their control decks in MTG.
Cards similar to Vedalken Mastermind by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vedalken Mastermind MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Salvat 2005, 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 Vedalken Mastermind and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Printings
The Vedalken Mastermind Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 40 | 2003 | normal | black | Darrell Riche | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | H51 | 2003 | normal | white | Darrell Riche | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 123 | 2003 | normal | black | Darrell Riche |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vedalken Mastermind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
