Mindslicer MTG Card


Emptying hands with Mindslicer can pivot game control to players utilizing graveyard strategies effectively. This card’s forced discard can backfire without proper setup, highlighting the need for strategic deck design. Mindslicer’s unique hand disruption potential makes it a powerful asset in certain MTG metagames.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Horror
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Mindslicer is put into a graveyard from play, each player discards his or her hand.

It *is* the thing that goes bump in the night.


Cards like Mindslicer

Mindslicer is an intriguing piece in the realm of hand disruption within Magic: The Gathering. It finds its kinship with the likes of Sadistic Hypnotist, which allows targeted hand disruption. However, Mindslicer takes this concept to a global scale, affecting all players and potentially changing the state of the game entirely. Unlike Sadistic Hypnotist’s controlled and repeatable effect, Mindslicer has a more nuclear once-off effect upon its death, clearing hands entirely.

Looking into the card’s impact compared to others, Mindslicer can be favorably contrasted with Sire Of Insanity. Both cards create a state where the players are operating with zero cards in hand. Sire Of Insanity does this at the end of each turn, while Mindslicer’s ability is a singular, but a substantial event. The significant difference lies in the way they are triggered; one is a constant threat, while the other is a one-time game changer upon leaving the battlefield.

Overall, Mindslicer commands a unique position among MTG cards that focus on disrupting opponents’ strategies. Its ability to strip players of their entire hand can not only swing the game heavily but also demoralizes opponents by dismantling their planned moves in a single sweep.

Sadistic Hypnotist - MTG Card versions
Sadistic Hypnotist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mindslicer by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mindslicer stands out by effectively emptying each player’s hand, which can turn the tide by drastically reducing the available options for opponents. While this affects all players, decks built to capitalize on such a disruption can recover faster, leading to a significant shift in control of the game.

Resource Acceleration: By disrupting hand resources across the board, this card can indirectly accelerate your strategy compared to your opponents. It paves the way for reanimation plays or graveyard strategies that benefit from having a fleshed-out graveyard, turning a seeming disadvantage into a resource acceleration tool.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Mindslicer can create an environment akin to instant-speed plays by forcing opponents to act hastily with their hand before it hits the graveyard. This can lead to suboptimal plays from them and a relative ‘speed boost’ to your game plan as they lose access to their meticulously curated hands.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mindslicer comes with a considerable drawback as it requires every player to discard their hand upon death, which can backfire if you’re not prepared to capitalize on the empty-handed situation. This effect can disrupt your own strategies as much as your opponents’, particularly if you’re not running a graveyard-based deck that benefits from discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost demands two black mana, which might be challenging in a multicolored deck. This specific mana requirement can lead to difficulties in casting Mindslicer on curve, especially in mana bases that aren’t heavily skewed towards black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana value, one might argue that there are alternative creatures or spells that impact the board upon their arrival instead of having to wait for Mindslicer to trigger upon destruction. This can be seen as inefficient, especially since the card does not have an immediate effect on the game state when cast.


Reasons to Include Mindslicer in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindslicer fits well in decks that can leverage graveyard strategies or use the discard effect to disrupt opponents. It’s a flexible card that can be used both offensively to hinder others and defensively to set up your own board.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with effects that benefit from discarding cards or when you want to reanimate powerful creatures from your graveyard. It’s a cornerstone in strategies built around sacrificing creatures for value.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where hands are full of situational or high-impact spells, Mindslicer can decisively tilt the game in your favor by stripping resources from opponents, especially against control decks.


How to beat

Mindslicer is a challenging card to face in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to disrupt strategies by forcing players to discard their hands. Going up against this creature, the key is to minimize the impact of its ability on your gameplay. Having instant-speed removal spells ready can ensure that you dispose of Mindslicer before its ability triggers, ideally when it’s declared as an attacker or blocker.

Alternatively, building your deck with resilience in mind can greatly help. This means incorporating cards that provide value from the graveyard or using cards with flashback or other alternative casting methods to make the discard effect less detrimental. Graveyard-based strategies like Dredge or decks that incorporate cards like Lingering Souls, which can be cast from the graveyard, can effectively bypass Mindslicer’s influence.

Moreover, leaning on artifacts and enchantments that offer card advantage or other utilities can ensure that losing your hand isn’t the end of the game for you. Creature-less strategies or those that play from the top of the library such as with Experimental Frenzy also dampen the Mindslicer’s detrimental effects, keeping you in a robust position throughout your match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delve deeper into the stratum of MTG deckbuilding and gameplay strategies with Mindslicer, a card with the potential to revolutionize the game’s direction. Its harmonious fit in graveyard-centric and reanimation decks unlocks a new dimension where discarded cards fuel your victory. By understanding both the advantages and caveats of incorporating Mindslicer into your battle plan, you can navigate through matches with the finesse of a seasoned planeswalker. Expand your MTG knowledge and uncover new ways to outplay your opponents. Join our community for more insights and strategies tailored to send your deck soaring above the rest.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindslicer MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Ninth 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 Mindslicer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mindslicer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 1491997NormalBlackKev Walker
22005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1462003NormalWhiteKev Walker
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 146★2003NormalBlackKev Walker
42020-09-26The ListPLST ODY-1491997NormalBlackKev Walker
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 912015NormalBlackKev Walker
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3051997NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindslicer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal