Mindcrank MTG Card


Mindcrank excels in indirect card advantage by rapidly milling opponent’s decks with life point loss. Effective in combos, it synergizes with damage-inducing cards for accelerated opponent deck depletion. Operates at instant speed, making Mindcrank a constant and unpredictable threat on the battlefield.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Mill

Text of card

Whenever an opponent loses life, that player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard. (Damage dealt by sources without infect causes loss of life.)

"Let go of your memories and be reborn." —Argent Etchings, plate 106, passage 27


Cards like Mindcrank

Mindcrank stands out as a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering, triggering a potent milling mechanic upon an opponent losing life. It bears resemblance to cards such as Duskmantle Guildmage, which can also create a mill condition but relies on mana expenditure to activate its ability. Unlike Mindcrank, the Guildmage has the flexibility of two different abilities but at the cost of consistency and passive milling.

Another comparable piece to consider is Bloodchief Ascension. This enchantment accrues counters leading to life drain and milling when triggered, aligning closely with Mindcrank’s damaging and milling synergy. However, Ascension requires an initial setup to become truly effective, something Mindcrank circumvents with its immediate functionality.

Assessing similar cards, we see that Mindcrank’s passive ability to mill without any additional cost makes it a formidable component in any deck aiming to drain the opponent’s resources silently and steadily. For players looking to combine life-loss with deck milling, Mindcrank proves to be an invaluable card, offering relentless pressure with each point of damage inflicted.

Duskmantle Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Bloodchief Ascension - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Bloodchief Ascension - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mindcrank by color, type and mana cost

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Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir ControlDimir Control ModernDimir ControlModern Preliminary 2024-04-02

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mindcrank has the unique ability to potentially go through an opponent’s deck rapidly, setting the stage for a deck-out victory. This indirect card advantage can be crucial against decks that heavily rely on specific cards to execute their strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Mindcrank can be combined with damage-inflicting cards to churn through an opponent’s deck, accelerating the path to defeat an adversary without the need for a direct attack on life points.

Instant Speed: As a powerful artifact, Mindcrank operates at passive speed, functioning continuously once on the battlefield. Its ability to trigger from any life loss and mill cards instantly makes it a persistent threat that can shift the tide of the game when opponents least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mindcrank triggers when an opponent loses life, requiring you to have a mechanism in place to inflict damage or cause life loss. This can lead to a situation where you need to balance your card plays between setting up this requirement and advancing your board state.

Specific Mana Cost: Although Mindcrank has a generic mana cost which can fit into any deck, the need to incorporate strategies that consistently cause life loss to get the most out of the artifact can skew your deck towards certain colors or themes, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While just two mana to cast, the fact that Mindcrank is an artifact means it competes with other two-mana plays that could develop your board presence more effectively. In a game where tempo can dictate victories, this can sometimes place Mindcrank lower in priority during crucial early turns.


Reasons to Include Mindcrank in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindcrank offers a unique form of incremental advantage that can fit into various strategies, from mill decks that aim to deplete the opponent’s library to more defensive setups that capitalize on life point variations.

Combo Potential: This card has proven synergy with cards like Duskmantle Guildmage or Bloodchief Ascension, enabling devastating combos that can potentially end the game on the spot when life loss or card mill triggers align.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are often decided by thin margins, Mindcrank has the ability to tilt the balance by turning any damage into an opportunity to mill additional cards, disrupting your opponent’s strategy whilst edging you closer to victory.


How to beat

Mindcrank is a notorious artifact in the MTG realm that can transform any loss of life into a potential threat by milling the cards right off an opponent’s library. This infamous combo piece, often seen in Mill decks, can create an endless loop with cards like Duskmantle Guildmage. Navigating around it demands a keen sense of timing and an understanding of the key interactions it hinges upon.

To outplay Mindcrank, start with artifact removal spells that can swiftly dispatch it from the battlefield before its engine can get revving. It’s important to manage your life total carefully, preventing any triggers that might start the milling process. Interacting with it requires a healthy mix of removal, life gain, and sometimes even graveyard recursion to ensure that you don’t fall victim to its grinding gears. Cards with shroud or hexproof can be great additions to shield your library from unwanted attention.

Ultimately, beating Mindcrank involves staying one step ahead, preventing the loss of life or ruining the combo with targeted removal. If you can keep your cool and dismantle the interactions Mindcrank thrives on, you keep the upper hand in the duel, steering clear of the dreaded mill and setting yourself towards victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the strategic depth of MTG, cards like Mindcrank show how nuanced and impactful gameplay can be. Understanding the card’s strengths and weaknesses—its combo potential with Duskmantle Guildmage, its requirement for life loss mechanics, and its place in the meta—can vastly improve your deck-building skills. While Mindcrank might not fit every strategy, its unique abilities are a game-changer for mill-focused decks. If you’re looking to dominate your opponents with a milling strategy or simply love to explore new synergies and tactical advantages, learning more about cards like Mindcrank is essential. Refine your knowledge and tactics with us and turn the tide of your MTG battles.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindcrank MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Iconic 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 Mindcrank and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mindcrank Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 1442003NormalBlackChris Rahn
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2202015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 8662015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindcrank has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-11-17 Damage dealt to an opponent usually causes that opponent to lose life. An opponent paying life also causes loss of life.