Persecute Artist MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2004-11-19
Set symbol
Set name	Unhinged
Set code	UNH
Number	61
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	silver
Illustred by	Rebecca “Don't Mess with Me” Guay
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Persecute Artist grants card advantage by making opponents discard while you draw cards.
Instant speed allows flexible, opportune gameplay disruption using Persecute Artist.
Playing the card can be costly due to specific mana needs and high cost.

Text of card

Choose an artist other than Rebecca Guay. Target player reveals his or her hand and discards all nonland cards by the chosen artist.

The torches and pitchforks were no match for Rebecca's fans.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing Persecute Artist, the card’s capacity to force the opponent to discard cards while you simultaneously draw cards is a substantial avenue for gaining card advantage. This mechanic tips the scales in your favor by depleting the opponent’s resources and bolstering your own hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Persecute Artist does not directly produce mana or treasure tokens, the card offers a different form of resource acceleration through its potent interaction – stripping key cards from your opponent’s hand can accelerate your game plan by slowing theirs down, especially if they lose access to their ramp or fixing tools.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed allows Persecute Artist to be played at the most opportune moment. This capability ensures that you can navigate around your opponent’s plans and potentially disrupt their strategies at a critical point, without having to commit to your own turn, keeping your options as open as possible.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Persecute Artist demands a card to be discarded from your hand to activate its ability. This cost can backfire if you find yourself struggling to maintain a hand with ample options, particularly in the later stages of a game where each resource counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With a cost requiring both black and red mana, Persecute Artist can be restrictive for decks that either aren’t running these colors or have difficulties managing a dual mana base. This potentially makes the card a weaker choice for mono-colored or three-plus color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Persecute Artist’s effect competes with other cards at a similar mana cost bracket. Given its four mana cost, players might find alternative spells or creatures that offer a greater impact on the board state or your opponent’s hand without the additional cost of discarding.

Reasons to Include Persecute Artist in Your Collection

Versatility: Persecute Artist is a card that can easily find a place in black-themed or control decks. Its ability to disrupt the opponent’s hand while also being a creature makes it particularly useful in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks that capitalize on discard mechanics. It can be paired with cards that punish opponents for discarding or with those that benefit from having a certain threshold of cards in the graveyard, offering strategic depth to your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where hand advantage plays a critical role, Persecute Artist presents a powerful option for controlling your opponent’s resources. Its impact on the opponent’s gameplay can be particularly significant, making it a prudent choice for competitive play.

How to beat

Persecute Artist can really put on the pressure in a Magic: The Gathering match. Known for its ability to churn out repeated damage over time, this card plays off the number of cards a player has drawn over the round. However, curbing its influence isn’t as challenging as you might think. Keeping your hand size in check is key. Play aggressively, deploying your threats early, which reduces the card’s impact significantly. Managing your draw is also an essential tactic against Persecute Artist. Opt for card quality over quantity to minimize the damage received.

Furthermore, removing Persecute Artist from the battlefield should be a priority. Using spot removal spells before your hand becomes bloated with cards can preclude additional damage from piling up. Remember, timely elimination can turn the tide of the game. Artifact removal like Abrade or creature removal such as Doom Blade can be effective tools in your arsenal for dealing with this nuisance. Also, running instant-speed interaction helps you to react within the window before your draw for the turn increases Persecute Artist’s firepower.

In essence, overcoming a Persecute Artist calls for strategic hand management and prompt threat response. By employing these tactics, you can mitigate the damage dealt and maintain control over the direction of the gameflow.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Persecute Artist MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged, 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 Persecute Artist and other MTG cards: