Mind Slash MTG Card


Offers card advantage by making opponents discard, which may deplete their hand and resources. Instant speed usage allows strategic game play disruption at critical moments. At three mana to activate, it’s costly but provides persistent hand disruption potential.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

o B, Sacrifice a creature: Look at target opponent's hand and choose a card from it. That player discards that card. Play this ability only if you could play a sorcery.

"I can't think with all that screaming."


Cards like Mind Slash

Mind Slash stands out as an intriguing choice among the array of discard effects available to players in Magic: The Gathering. It shares conceptual space with cards like Thoughtseize, which also proactively disrupts an opponent’s hand. Unlike Thoughtseize’s immediate impact, Mind Slash requires a creature to be sacrificed, yet offers potentially repeated use, significantly shaping the course of multiple turns.

Another close relative is Diabolic Edict. While both cards involve sacrificing as a cost, Mind Slash targets an opponent’s hand, whereas Diabetic Edict forces an opponent to sacrifice a creature. The strategic relevance of choosing between affecting an opponent’s hand or board presence can significantly alter the dynamic of a game.

Analyses like these emphasize Mind Slash’s unique stance within the discard strategy framework, by providing sustained interaction with an opponent’s potential actions. Although it operates at a slower pace compared to a one-off spell like Thoughtseize, its ability to recur makes it a considerable option for decks built around sacrifice and control tactics, sharpening a crafty player’s edge in MTG.

Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mind Slash by color, type and mana cost

Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions
Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mind Slash offers a strategic edge by enabling you to repeatedly force your opponent to discard cards, thereby potentially depleting their hand and giving you a sizeable card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By putting pressure on your opponent’s resources, Mind Slash accelerates your own advantage as your adversary struggles to keep up without key cards, giving you more breathing room to execute your strategy.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, this card allows you to wait until the optimal moment to disrupt your opponent’s game plan, like during their draw phase or before they make a pivotal play, leading to surprise and control over the game’s tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mind Slash necessitates a sacrifice not only of a discarded card but also a creature, making it a double-edged sword especially when you are juggling a tight hand or controlling a limited board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment comes with a black mana requirement which may not align seamlessly with multi-colored decks, reducing its versatility outside mono-black or heavily black-focused strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an activation cost of three mana, including one black mana, Mind Slash might be considered costly for its effect, particularly when compared to other disruptive or removal options available that can be more mana-efficient. This could potentially slow down your game plan against fast-paced decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mind Slash offers flexibility in both casual and competitive play. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ hands makes it a worthy addition to decks that thrive on information advantage and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies emphasizing creature sacrifice, providing a repeatable source of hand disruption that can dismantle your opponent’s plans while advancing your own board state.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing landscape of the metagame, Mind Slash remains relevant in environments where holding up key spells and maintaining control over your opponent’s options can pivot the tide of the game.


How to beat

Mind Slash is a potent enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt an opponent’s hand and strategy. Its ability to force opponents to discard a card at the mere cost of sacrificing a creature makes it a formidable piece in any player’s arsenal. To effectively neutralize the impact of Mind Slash, a multi-faceted approach is often necessary. Firstly, utilizing cards that grant hexproof or shroud can protect key creatures from being chosen as sacrificial lambs. Additionally, cards with abilities that trigger upon entering the graveyard may deter the Mind Slash user from forcing you to sacrifice those creatures.

Another effective strategy is to maintain a higher card count in hand, making the discard less impactful. This can be achieved through effective card draw spells or abilities, ensuring a steady flow of new cards. Finally, relying on instant-speed spells or having an action plan for when your hand is empty can mitigate the disadvantage of discarding. Combining these tactics can help you maintain control of the game and reduce the disruption caused by Mind Slash.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mind Slash MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Eighth Edition, 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 Mind Slash and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mind Slash Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Adam Rex.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-02-14NemesisNEM 591997NormalBlackAdam Rex
22003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1452003NormalWhiteAdam Rex
32003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 145★2003NormalBlackAdam Rex
42005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL F142003NormalWhiteAdam Rex

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Slash has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal