Vedalken Mesmerist MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 57
2024-01-12 - Number 65
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Vedalken Mesmerist excels in altering combat outcomes by weakening enemy creatures during attacks.
- Its unique ability lends itself well to both offensive strategies and maintaining board control.
- Effective counters to it include instant-speed removal or creatures with high toughness and hexproof.
Text of card
Whenever Vedalken Mesmerist attacks, target creature an opponent controls gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
"There's no need to sound the alarm. You are minding your post admirably. I am authorized. All is well."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vedalken Mesmerist shines in scenarios that allow you to manipulate both your and your opponent’s deck. This blue creature’s ability can target opponents’ creatures, potentially weakening their defenses and setting you up for advantageous trades or direct attacks.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can pave the way for a quicker victory, indirectly contributing to resource advantage. By lowering opponents’ creature power, Vedalken Mesmerist helps maintain battlefield control, allowing you to invest resources into further developing your board presence instead of handling threats.
Instant Speed: The Mesmerist’s ability is a triggered ability that activates when it attacks, offering a speed of interaction that, while not instant, provides a recurrent effect during your combat phases. This ensures that each turn you’re working towards diminishing your opponent’s potential blockers, maintaining pressure, and altering the course of the game swiftly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Vedalken Mesmerist doesn’t require a card discard per se, it’s important for players to be mindful of cards that do, as it can lead to a depletion of valuable hand resources, affecting overall gameplay strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The Vedalken Mesmerist necessitates one blue mana specifically, which restricts its inclusion to decks that run blue mana or those with a capable mana base to accommodate multicolor needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/1 creature, Vedalken Mesmerist may not provide the immediate board impact or utility that other cards at similar cost points might offer, potentially making it a less favorable option during deck construction.
Reasons to Include Vedalken Mesmerist in Your Collection
Versatility: Vedalken Mesmerist is a dynamic addition to decks that capitalize on creatures. As a two-drop, this card is easy to cast early in the game, making it adaptable for various strategies, from tempo plays to setting up for larger mid-game threats.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with mechanics that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player. It seamlessly integrates into decks that focus on unblockable creatures or those that aim to overpower opponents with numerous small attackers.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where combat tricks reign supreme, Vedalken Mesmerist provides a consistent way to weaken opposing creatures. Against decks that rely heavily on a single, powerful creature, this card can be a strategic tool to tip the scales in your favor.
How to beat
Vedalken Mesmerist is an intriguing creature card from the Guilds of Ravnica set in Magic: The Gathering. It presents a unique challenge due to its ability to weaken an opponent’s creature every time it attacks. This ability can disrupt defensive strategies by reducing the power of blockers, potentially turning the tides of a match.
To effectively counter Vedalken Mesmerist, you might consider using instant-speed removal spells that target creatures before the Mesmerist’s ability triggers, such as Shock or Fatal Push. This preemptive strategy ensures the Mesmerist never gets a chance to leverage its power-reducing ability. Alternatively, playing creatures with higher toughness can diminish the impact of the Mesmerist’s ability, as they would remain capable blockers despite the temporary power reduction during combat. Creatures with hexproof also offer a solid defense, as they are impervious to the Mesmerist’s targeted ability.
Ultimately, understanding the timing of your spells and creatures’ abilities, along with carefully planning your defensive lineup, can nullify the advantages brought by Vedalken Mesmerist and keep your side of the battlefield secure in MTG matches.
Cards like Vedalken Mesmerist
Vedalken Mesmerist shines as a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to weaken an opponent’s creature upon attacking. It holds a resemblance to cards like Mist-Cloaked Herald for its low cost and similar power. However, Vedalken Mesmerist brings a tactical edge in combat where Mist-Cloaked Herald offers unblockable prowess.
Another card worth comparing is Aether Figment, which also harnesses the power of unblockability but lacks the direct influence on opponent creatures Vedalken Mesmerist provides. In the company of these, we have Manic Scribe, a card that shares the Vedalken tribe and offers an alternative utility by enabling mill strategies, yet does not interact with the board state in the same way during attacks.
Considering the unique blend of aggressive and control elements, Vedalken Mesmerist stands out amongst its counterparts. It can subtly tip the scales during confrontations, making it a clever choice for players who enjoy nuanced playstyles.
Cards similar to Vedalken Mesmerist by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vedalken Mesmerist MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Mesmerist 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 MTG Products
Printings
The Vedalken Mesmerist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vedalken Mesmerist 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |