Hand of Vecna MTG Card


Shifts game control with potential for significant card advantage through attack phase pressure. Allows conversion of card numbers into immediate battlefield strength, bypassing mana acceleration. Strategically enhances creatures at instant speed, offering surprise combat phase advantages.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

At the beginning of combat on your turn, equipped creature or a creature you control named Vecna gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand. Equip—Pay 1 life for each card in your hand. Equip


Cards like Hand of Vecna

Exploring the depths of powerful artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, the Hand of Vecna stands as a unique piece. It’s comparable to other equipment cards like the Sword of Body and Mind. The Hand of Vecna offers a potentially game-altering bonus to any creature it equips, based on both the number of cards in your hand and your life total. While the Sword of Body and Mind provides a static set of benefits, like milling your opponent and creating a wolf token, it doesn’t scale with game conditions like the Hand of Vecna does.

Another artifact to draw parallels with is the Skullclamp. This equipment card also plays with card draw, but in an opposing manner. Instead of benefiting from a larger hand, Skullclamp rewards you for having creature tokens to spare, as it adds to your card draw when the equipped creature dies. The Hand of Vecna encourages a fuller grip on your game, quite literally. It’s an artifact that can turn the tides when appropriately leveraged, especially in the late game where high stakes are matched by high rewards.

Therefore, the Hand of Vecna carves its niche among MTG artifacts by offering dynamic power that can adapt and grow as the game progresses, making it a formidable piece in any player’s arsenal.

Sword of Body and Mind - MTG Card versions
Skullclamp - MTG Card versions
Sword of Body and Mind - MTG Card versions
Skullclamp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hand of Vecna by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Hand of Vecna allows for a dynamic shift in game control by effectively using each card in hand to boost a creature’s power. This translates to a more potent attack phase, which could lead to significant card advantage over the opponent by creating pressure they must answer to.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly producing mana or tokens, the Hand of Vecna can be a form of resource acceleration by allowing you to convert existing cards into immediate power on the battlefield. The advantage gained by a well-timed push with an enhanced creature can outpace your opponent’s mana development.

Instant Speed: Although the Hand of Vecna itself doesn’t have instant speed, its capability allows for a creature to be powered up unexpectedly during the combat phase, catching opponents off guard. It requires strategic planning, but the capacity to instantly turn the tide in a tightly contested game can’t be overstated.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Hand of Vecna requires players to discard a card for each card they wish to draw. This can be a significant drawback when the player’s hand is already depleted, forcing tough decisions about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Hand of Vecna, a specific combination of colorless mana is required. This can be a hurdle in decks that struggle to produce ample colorless mana or in strategies that focus on a multicolored mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for the Hand of Vecna is non-negligible. When considering the card’s overall impact on the game, players may find that allocating that much mana could result in a slower gameplay, potentially giving the advantage to opponents with quicker strategies.


Reasons to Include Hand of Vecna in Your Collection

Versatility: Hand of Vecna offers a unique advantage by scaling with the number of cards in your hand, making it a formidable addition to decks that keep a full grip. It seamlessly integrates into strategies revolving around card draw and high hand size.

Combo Potential: This artifact can turn any creature into a significant threat by enhancing its power and toughness. It pairs well with cards that protect or benefit from equipped creatures, leveraging the potential for game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where high-power creatures and equipment synergy are key, Hand of Vecna emerges as a card that can tilt the battlefield in your favor. Its ability to amp up a creature’s presence on the board makes it a tactical asset in various competitive formats.


How to beat

The Hand of Vecna is a unique artifact that offers MTG players an intriguing power boost for their creatures. The lure of its power can be a double-edged sword, given its life and card draw sacrifices to equip. To outmaneuver an opponent wielding this potent artifact, consider implementing artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Abrade. These straightforward solutions handle the Hand of Vecna efficiently, mitigating its potential impact.

Moreover, when facing down the artifact, it’s pivotal to monitor your life total. Prioritize life-gaining strategies and cards that offer consistent life gain, which will help buffer against the life cost needed by the Hand of Vecna’s controller. Additionally, be mindful of cards like Thoughtseize or Duress that disrupt your opponent’s hand, reducing the chance they can equip the Hand of Vecna without significant downsides.

Finally, try to keep creature removal handy. Sometimes, the best strategy is simply to remove the threat outfitted with the Hand of Vecna. With abundant removal options across MTG’s card pool, the Hand of Vecna’s grim grip can be loosened, shifting the game back to your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hand of Vecna MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Hand of Vecna and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hand of Vecna Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Irina Nordsol.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 928382015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3942015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 2462015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 246s2015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 246a2015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 246p2015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hand of Vecna has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hand of Vecna card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-07-23 Hand of Vecna's triggered ability uses the number of cards in your hand as it resolves to determine the bonus the creature gets. It won't change if the number of cards in your hand changes later in the turn.
2021-07-23 If you control both Vecna and Hand of Vecna equipped to another creature, you choose which creature to apply the bonus to as the triggered ability resolves.