Fascination MTG Card


Fascination’s draw mechanism can be pivotal, providing card advantage and strategic deck thinning. Its instant speed allows strategic flexibility, disrupting opponents’ actions opportunistically. However, Fascination requires careful hand management due to its discard and mana demands.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Mill

Text of card

Choose one — • Each player draws X cards. • Each player puts the top X cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.


Cards like Fascination

Fascination is an intriguing card that offers unique flexibility in the realm of card draw options in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out among counterparts like Stroke of Genius, which also allows you to draw a number of cards relative to the mana invested. Where Fascination shines is its ability to be cast during any player’s turn, impacting all players by either drawing cards or forcing each player to mill, thus offering multifaceted strategic use.

Comparatively, Wheel of Fortune offers a different but comparable effect. Rather than drawing a set number of cards, each player discards their hand and draws seven new cards. This equalizer can dramatically alter game states, much like the universal effect of Fascination. Another notable card is Windfall, which balances the playing field by making players discard their hand and draw cards equal to the greatest number a player discarded. Fascination’s ability to scale with the game, affecting all players at crucial moments, distinguishes its strategic value.

Sizing up these cards’ abilities to shift game dynamics, Fascination positions itself as a versatile tool in a player’s arsenal – capable of either swelling hands with options or dwindling decks to dust.

Stroke of Genius - MTG Card versions
Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Windfall - MTG Card versions
Stroke of Genius - MTG Card versions
Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Windfall - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fascination by color, type and mana cost

Time Walk - MTG Card versions
Drain Power - MTG Card versions
Braingeyser - MTG Card versions
Transmute Artifact - MTG Card versions
Forget - MTG Card versions
Piracy - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Wind Sail - MTG Card versions
Mana Vapors - MTG Card versions
Turbulent Dreams - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Muse Vortex - MTG Card versions
See the Truth - MTG Card versions
Fae of Wishes // Granted - MTG Card versions
Maddening Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Silver Scrutiny - MTG Card versions
Reshape - MTG Card versions
Eye of Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Skyscribing - MTG Card versions
See Beyond - MTG Card versions
Time Walk - MTG Card versions
Drain Power - MTG Card versions
Braingeyser - MTG Card versions
Transmute Artifact - MTG Card versions
Forget - MTG Card versions
Piracy - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Wind Sail - MTG Card versions
Mana Vapors - MTG Card versions
Turbulent Dreams - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Muse Vortex - MTG Card versions
See the Truth - MTG Card versions
Fae of Wishes // Granted - MTG Card versions
Maddening Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Silver Scrutiny - MTG Card versions
Reshape - MTG Card versions
Eye of Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Skyscribing - MTG Card versions
See Beyond - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fascination provides a versatile mechanism for drawing cards, which can be a significant edge during gameplay. When played, each player draws X cards, meaning that with proper timing and resources, it can be tailored to your advantage, ensuring you maintain a superior hand size.

Resource Acceleration: In games that reach a stalemate or in longer matches, Fascination can act as a resource accelerator. By choosing to make each player draw a large number of cards, you can force opponents to deplete their libraries at an accelerated rate, edging closer to a win via decking out your opponents.

Instant Speed: The utility of Fascination is greatly increased by its instant speed. This allows for strategic flexibility; you can respond to your opponent’s actions, use it at the end of their turn, or even during a combat phase to disrupt their calculations and force reactions on your terms.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When casting Fascination, players must consider the card’s requirement to discard. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already diminished or if you’re striving to maintain card advantage over your opponent. Diminishing your own resources to execute a spell is a trade-off that must be navigated wisely.

Specific Mana Cost: Fascination levies a demand for both blue and generic mana. This specific mana cost can tie the card to decks that comfortably support blue mana, potentially restricting its inclusion in multicolor decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that begins at three—one of which is a dedicated color—it’s critical to juxtapose Fascination’s benefits with other cards within the same mana range. There’s a notable collection of spells that may offer a lower mana investment or ones that might fit more synergistically with a deck’s overall strategy.


Reasons to Include Fascination in Your Collection

Versatility: Fascination offers a unique flexibility at the table, capable of sliding seamlessly into decks that capitalize on both milling and card drawing strategies. Whether you aim to fill your own hand or strategically dispatch your opponent’s deck to their graveyard, this card adjusts to your game plan.

Combo Potential: With the capacity to force each player to draw multiple cards, Fascination can be the linchpin in a deck built around drawing mechanics or punishing opponents for drawing too much. It’s an ideal complement to setups that thrive on high card turnover.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to drag out, the dual-functionality of Fascination can be a game-changer. This card shines in scenarios that require quick adaptation to the ever-changing battlefield, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.


How to beat

The card Fascination in Magic: The Gathering offers a unique approach to drawing cards, affecting all players at the table. This trait makes it a double-edged sword, where you could potentially arm opponents with resources while trying to increase your own. To effectively counter Fascination, it’s vital to adopt strategies that limit the upsides for your opponents. Utilizing cards with graveyard interaction, such as scavenging or flashback mechanics, turns discarded cards into strategic advantages. Running instant-speed disruption allows you to mitigate the card’s symmetrical effect by responding to your opponent’s draw and effectively managing their new resources.

Moreover, including cards that capitalize on hand size, like Psychosis Crawler, can turn the tables by leveraging the increased card count. Deck structures focusing on asymmetric draw power where you benefit more from the draws than your opponents do, also serve as a solid game plan. In addition, keeping a close watch on your opponents’ graveyard can provide insight into potential strategies they might deploy post-Fascination. Preparedness is key, and having the right answers at the right time ensures you stay ahead, even when Fascination hits the board.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fascination MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Mystery Booster, 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 Fascination and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fascination Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 342015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3752015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32020-09-26The ListPLST FRF-342015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fascination has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal