Psychic Overload MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Number	28
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeremy Jarvis

Key Takeaways

Offers card draw and strategic land untapping for sustained gameplay momentum and control.
Instant speed play allows for flexible responses and can disrupt opponent’s strategies.
Demands careful consideration due to discard requirement and specific mana costs.

Text of card

When Psychic Overload comes into play, tap enchanted permanent. Enchanted permanent doesn't untap during its controller's untap step. Enchanted permanent has "Discard two artifact cards from your hand: Untap this permanent."

Card Pros

Resourceful Play: Psychic Overload offers valuable card advantage by potentially drawing multiple cards, ensuring a steady stream of options in your hand.

Strategic Depth: This card opens doors to enhanced resource acceleration by untapping a host of lands or mana producers, giving you the leverage to cast more spells or activate abilities, thereby amplifying your in-game momentum.

Swift Response: Operating at instant speed signifies flexibility and cunning, permitting tactical plays in response to your opponent’s moves or during the end of their turn, keeping them guessing and preserving the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Psychic Overload necessitates the player to discard a card, which can be restrictive, especially when hand size is dwindling or the cards in hand are all crucial for upcoming plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost includes blue mana, making it potentially awkward in multicolored decks that may not consistently produce the necessary blue sources. This limitation can affect the card’s versatility and fit within the broader deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s mana value may be considered steep for its effect when compared to other options available. For players considering their curve and looking to maximize impact per mana spent, Psychic Overload might not be the most cost-effective choice available within the card pool.

Reasons to Include Psychic Overload in Your Collection

Versatility: Psychic Overload offers a unique blend of control and tempo, making it a flexible addition to various blue-centric decks. Its ability to tap down problematic permanents can disrupt your opponent’s strategies and pave the way for your victory.

Combo Potential: This card’s potential extends beyond its immediate effects. It synergizes with cards that benefit from activated abilities or returning permanents to the hand. It can be a linchpin in decks that necessitate flicker or bounce mechanics for continuous control.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where tempo plays are crucial, Psychic Overload has the edge. This card can shine against decks that rely on specific pieces, allowing you to keep the board state under your control while you build towards your win conditions.

How to beat

Psychic Overload is a unique card in Magic the Gathering, presenting a challenge for players who rely heavily on their permanents. To effectively counter this card, it’s crucial to employ strategies that circumvent its ability to tap and control key assets. Consider using instant-speed removal or bounce spells to handle permanents before Psychic Overload can target them. Running cards with hexproof or shroud can also prove to be a savvy tactic, preventing Psychic Overload from selecting them as targets altogether.

Moreover, diversifying your plan of attack keeps your opponent on their toes and reduces the dependence on any single permanent. This approach limits the impact of Psychic Overload on your game strategy. As always, remaining adaptable and integrating sideboard options that can neutralize control elements ensures you maintain the upper hand against such disruptive cards. Keeping pressure with a mix of creature spells and other permanent types makes your play less predictable and more resilient against the influence of Psychic Overload.

In essence, the key to outmaneuvering Psychic Overload lies in adaptability, proactive protection, and strategic variety. By integrating these principles into your playstyle, you’ll be able to mitigate the card’s potential disruption and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Psychic Overload

Psychic Overload joins the intriguing class of control magic spells in MTG, where players assume command over opponents’ key permanents. Its nearest relatives in function are cards like Mind Control and Confiscate. While both gain control of a creature, Psychic Overload goes a step further by locking down any permanent, including lands, which makes it versatile in crippling an opponent’s mana base.

In comparison, Control Magic targets only creatures but at a more cost-effective rate. Meanwhile, Treachery stands out by untapping up to five lands on casting, essentially making it free if used strategically. Despite this advantage, Psychic Overload’s ability to shut down a crucial land or artifact alongside a creature can shift the tides of a match, demonstrating its utility in matches where flexibility is key.

Each card offers a strategic edge; however, Psychic Overload’s broad target range can be a pivotal move in games where hindering a specific permanent type can lead to a significant tactical advantage. This underlines its value in a player’s arsenal where control and adaptability can be the deciders of a game’s outcome.

Cards similar to Psychic Overload by color, type and mana cost

Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions

Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions

Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions

Leyline of Singularity - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Psychic Overload MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Psychic Overload and other MTG cards: