Laboratory Maniac MTG Card


Laboratory Maniac converts drawing from an empty library into a surprising path to victory. It serves as a linchpin in decks that quickly cycle through cards, edging toward a win. Allows for sudden wins during an opponent’s turn, disrupting their strategy and timing.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

If you would draw a card while your library has no cards in it, you win the game instead.

His mind whirled with grand plans, never thinking of what might happen if he were to succeed.


Cards like Laboratory Maniac

Laboratory Maniac is a unique card that turns the typical losing condition on its head, making it a standout in Magic: The Gathering. Cards like Thassa’s Oracle echo its winning strategy, which revolves around having no cards in the library. Thassa’s Oracle, however, comes with an additional benefit of scrying and can win the game on the spot depending on your devotion to blue. This element alters the approach to a deck built around emptying the library.

Jace, Wielder of Mysteries is another akin card offering both a draw effect and an alternate win condition should your library be empty. While Jace’s casting cost is higher, his abilities provide ongoing card advantage and the potential for disruption. In contrast, Demonic Consultation is a spell rather than a creature, offering a combo potential with both Laboratory Maniac and Thassa’s Oracle by instantly emptying your library with precision.

Considering the triumph-through-deck-depletion strategy, Laboratory Maniac holds a celebrated spot. Its instant impact and potential to form synergistic combos elevates it amongst peers that contribute to this unique and thrilling approach to victory in Magic: The Gathering.

Thassa's Oracle - MTG Card versions
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries - MTG Card versions
Demonic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Oracle - MTG Card versions
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries - MTG Card versions
Demonic Consultation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Laboratory Maniac by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Laboratory Maniac. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir ComboDimir Combo ModernGoryo's Vengeance$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Sunday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Laboratory Maniac turns the action of drawing from an empty library, which typically results in defeat, into a winning condition. This twist provides a unique form of card advantage as every draw becomes a step closer to victory regardless of your library’s size.

Resource Acceleration: Laboratory Maniac isn’t directly about resource acceleration, but it enhances strategies that rapidly deplete the library. By doing so, it indirectly accelerates the win conditions of decks that churn through their resources with spells that draw large quantities of cards.

Instant Speed: While Laboratory Maniac itself is not an instant, it creates opportunities to win the game at instant speed. Cards that draw at the end of an opponent’s turn can unexpectedly turn into a win if the Laboratory Maniac is already on the battlefield, catching opponents off guard and securing a win without a full turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Laboratory Maniac’s potency is offset by the need to reach an empty library. This state may require deliberate discard or milling strategies, which poses a risk if you can’t afford to deplete essential cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Laboratory Maniac demands both blue mana and generic mana, potentially limiting its utility to decks that run heavily on blue mana or have a diverse mana base to accommodate the specific cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, including two blue, Laboratory Maniac’s setup for a potential win condition can seem costly. In fast-paced games, there may be more efficient ways to utilize mana and secure victory.


Reasons to Include Laboratory Maniac in Your Collection

Versatility: Laboratory Maniac offers a unique angle to gameplay, fitting into decks that embrace alternative win conditions or heavily utilize card draw mechanics.

Combo Potential: The card shines when combined with effects that allow you to draw your entire library, such as with “Ad Nauseam” or “Demonic Consultation,” turning the act of decking oneself into a victory.

Meta-Relevance: With the dynamics of competitive play frequently changing, Laboratory Maniac remains relevant in metas where mill or self-mill strategies are prevalent, serving as both a safeguard and a win condition.


How to beat

Laboratory Maniac presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its alternative win condition. This card from the popular trading card game allows a player to win the game if they would draw from an empty library. While it can be a centerpiece to a game-winning strategy, there are ways to ensure your opponent’s Maniac doesn’t clinch victory.

Firstly, consider countering or removing Laboratory Maniac from play as soon as it enters the battlefield. Cards with exile effects or instant speed removal spells are effective here. Additionally, card effects that shuffle cards back into a player’s library can diminish the Maniac’s effect, postponing or even preventing the condition that would trigger a win. Moreover, adding cards to an opponent’s library, therefore, stopping them from running out of cards, is another strategy to counteract Laboratory Maniac’s ability.

Keeping control of the game’s pace and preventing the opponent from manipulating their library too aggressively are key tactics. By anticipating the Laboratory Maniac play and having a response ready, you can secure your own path to victory against this game-ending creature.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the depths of strategic gameplay with Laboratory Maniac, a card that tempts fate and flips the script on conventional MTG victory. As you journey through the various planes of Magic: The Gathering, consider including Laboratory Maniac in your arsenal for a winning edge that defies the norm. Embrace the elements of surprise and innovation, and let every card draw inch you closer to an exhilarating triumph. Are you ready to outsmart your opponents and secure victory through the unthinkable? Expand your collection, explore new deck synergies, and turn your MTG duels into a testament of cunning and foresight. Learn more with us and bring the ultimate game-changing strategy to your play sessions.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Laboratory Maniac MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Ultimate Masters, 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 Laboratory Maniac and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Laboratory Maniac Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 612003NormalBlackJason Felix
22018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 612015NormalBlackJason Felix
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4152015NormalBlackJason Felix
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13942015NormalBorderlessNarendra Bintara Adi
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10972015NormalBorderlessOmar Rayyan
62020-09-26The ListPLST UMA-612015NormalBlackJason Felix
72020-09-26The ListPLST ISD-612003NormalBlackJason Felix
82021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3091997NormalBlackJason Felix

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Laboratory Maniac has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-03-19 If for some reason you can’t win the game (because your opponent has cast Angel’s Grace this turn, for example), you won’t lose for having tried to draw a card from a library with no cards in it. The draw was still replaced.
2021-03-19 If two or more players each control a Laboratory Maniac and each player is instructed to draw a number of cards, first the player whose turn it is draws that many cards. If this causes that player to win the game instead, the game is immediately over. If the game isn’t over yet, repeat this process for each other player in turn order.