Grim Reminder MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Number	66
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne England

Key Takeaways

Excels in disrupting opponent strategies, hindering their gameplay and resource management.
Offers a balance between cost-efficiency and instant-speed flexibility during critical game phases.
Demands careful consideration of the discard requirement and specific mana cost in deck building.

Text of card

Search your library for a nonland card and reveal it. Each opponent who played a card this turn with the same name as that card loses 6 life. Then shuffle the revealed card back into your library. : Return Grim Reminder from your graveyard to your hand. Play this ability only during your upkeep.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grim Reminder excels at disrupting your opponent’s strategy by stripping them of key cards. This not only hinders their progress but also indirectly contributes to your card advantage by denying them the resources they need to outmaneuver you on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Unlike some spells that may constrain your resources, Grim Reminder’s cost-efficiency ensures it can seamlessly slot into your turn without setting back your mana development. Its role is to keep you in a robust position while chipping away at your opponent’s resources.

Instant Speed: The real power of Grim Reminder comes from its instant speed, giving you the flexibility to cast it on your terms. Whether it’s at the end of your opponent’s turn to avoid losing momentum, or during their draw phase to preempt their plans, this quick play can be a pivot point in the game that tilts the odds in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grim Reminder’s utility comes with a steep price of discarding a card. For players grappling with dwindling hand sizes, this prerequisite can exacerbate the challenge of maintaining card advantage, potentially tipping the scales in favor of the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mana alignment to cast, demanding both black and colorless mana. This inflexibility may restrict it to a niche use in decks that are heavily aligned with black mana sources, consequently limiting its versatility in a diverse field of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at a total of five mana, Grim Reminder’s cost is significant. Players must evaluate whether the investment warrants the return, especially when other cards in the MTG universe might offer similar effects with leaner mana requirements, thereby providing more tempo and maintaining efficiency in a player’s game plan.

Reasons to Include Grim Reminder in Your Collection

Versatility: Grim Reminder offers a flexible option for any deck looking to manipulate graveyard mechanics. Its ability to selectively return cards from the graveyard to your hand ensures that it can fit into various strategies, keeping essential pieces within reach for your next move.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that thrive on recycling components for repeatable effects. Whether you’re aiming to reassemble powerful combos or simply gain value over time, Grim Reminder’s retrieval capability can be a key component in executing your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Adaptability is crucial in an ever-changing MTG landscape. With graveyard strategies often being a prominent part of the meta, having Grim Reminder on hand means you’re well-equipped to face opponents who are likely utilizing similar tactics or to counter graveyard hate cards that could disrupt your plays.

How to beat Grim Reminder

Grim Reminder is an intriguing addition to the lineup of control tools within the Magic: The Gathering (MTG) universe. Its ability to disrupt an opponent’s game plan by retrieving a card from their graveyard can tip the scales in your favor. The key to overcoming this card lies in preemptive measures and tactical responses. Start by making your graveyard less attractive. This involves strategic play to limit the potency of the cards that end up in your graveyard. Utilize graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus to exile the cards from your own graveyard, rendering Grim Reminder ineffectual.

Similarly, diversifying your threats helps you stay one step ahead. By employing a variety of deck strategies, you make it harder for the player wielding Grim Reminder to predict and counter your moves effectively. Be mindful of the cards you discard, anticipating a potential Grim Reminder may also guide your strategy. Don’t forget that being proactive about your own grave can thwart the plans of your opponent should they rely on the power of Grim Reminder to gain an advantage over you in the match.

Cards like Grim Reminder

Grim Reminder slots into Magic: The Gathering decks that thrive on controlling opponent’s strategies. In its class, we observe a likeness to Thoughtseize, which also disrupts an opponent’s hand by allowing a player to choose and discard a nonland card. However, Grim Reminder is unique in its ability to search your own library for another copy of the discarded card, essentially replacing itself and maintaining card advantage.

Another peer in disruption is Inquisition of Kozilek. This card offers similar hand disruption for a single black mana, but it limits the selection to cards of three mana or less. While not replacing itself like Grim Reminder, Inquisition of Kozilek’s lower cost can be a significant advantage in the early stages of the game. Then, there’s Duress, which stands out for its noncreature specificity. Although without the recursion feature of Grim Reminder, Duress excels in targeting noncreature spells, potentially leaving a more significant impact on opponent’s combative plans.

Each of these spells presents distinct approaches to the concept of hand disruption. Yet, Grim Reminder’s combination of immediate disruption and self-replenishing design establishes it as a compelling pick in decks that favor long-term strategic planning and resource management in the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grim Reminder by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grim Reminder MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Grim Reminder and other MTG cards: