Peer into the Abyss MTG Card


Provides tremendous card advantage by drawing half your library, setting up numerous strategic plays. Challenges include the necessity to discard at end of turn and its specific triple black mana cost. Excels in hand-size or life-total manipulation decks, with high combo and meta-relevance in grindy games.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Target player draws cards equal to half the number of cards in their library and loses half their life. Round up each time.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. When your eyes bleed, and your brain leaks out your ears, then we'll talk about lost sanity." —Braids, dementia summoner


Cards like Peer into the Abyss

Peer into the Abyss is an evocative card within Magic: The Gathering that delves deep into a player’s deck. A parallel can be drawn with the card Ad Nauseam, which also allows a player to reveal cards and potentially change the course of the game. While Peer into the Abyss has the user draw half their library at a significant life cost, Ad Nauseam enables drawing many cards at the expense of life for each card.

Dark Confidant is another card that shares the concept of trading life for cards, albeit in a more gradual manner with its reveal and draw mechanic each turn. The risk associated with Peer into the Abyss is much higher compared to the steady benefit provided by Dark Confidant. Enter the Infinite is also worth mentioning, letting players draw their entire library, but without the life loss trigger that Peer into the Abyss guarantees.

All considered, Peer into the Abyss stands out as a unique card in MTG due to its dramatic effect on the player’s hand and life total, catering to those who dare to risk it all for overwhelming card advantage.

Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Dark Confidant - MTG Card versions
Enter the Infinite - MTG Card versions
Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Dark Confidant - MTG Card versions
Enter the Infinite - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Peer into the Abyss by color, type and mana cost

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Vampiric Feast - MTG Card versions
Return of the Nightstalkers - MTG Card versions
Morality Shift - MTG Card versions
Necrotic Hex - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Cabal Conditioning - MTG Card versions
Wit's End - MTG Card versions
Phthisis - MTG Card versions
Plague of Vermin - MTG Card versions
Absorb Vis - MTG Card versions
Repay in Kind - MTG Card versions
Ichor Explosion - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Covenant of Blood - MTG Card versions
Necromantic Selection - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Conscription - MTG Card versions
Behold the Beyond - MTG Card versions
Cruel Entertainment - MTG Card versions
Kindred Dominance - MTG Card versions
Never // Return - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer League 2024-03-06
Sultai Some Brand of CerealSultai Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday Night Magic
StormStorm LegacyThe EPIC Storm$5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Peer into the Abyss is renowned for its potential to deliver an overwhelming card advantage. Upon resolution, the spell enables you to draw cards equal to half your library, instantly giving you access to an array of new options and strategies to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, the sheer number of cards drawn from Peer into the Abyss can lead to a significant acceleration of resources. Among the drawn cards are likely to be various mana sources or spells that facilitate further resource generation, enabling you to power up your board state or hand at an unprecedented rate.

Instant Speed: Peer into the Abyss breaks from the pack with its ability to alter the game profoundly at sorcery speed. While it doesn’t have the instant speed flexibility, the card compensates by creating a pivotal turn where you can cast it without fear of interruption, aligning with setup plays and ensuring you maintain priority to utilize your new resources effectively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Peer into the Abyss does not directly ask you to discard cards, the massive draw can dangerously thin your hand if you’re unable to keep seven cards by the end of your turn, forcing discards that may cost you vital resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring three black mana makes it challenging to slot into multicolored decks, potentially restricting its play to mono-black or decks with heavy black mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana cost to cast, Peer into the Abyss is a considerable investment. There are other, less costly alternatives available for achieving card advantage, potentially yielding more immediate impacts on the game state.


Reasons to Include Peer into the Abyss in Your Collection

Versatility: Peer into the Abyss is a unique card that can be a game-changer in decks that aim to manipulate either player’s hand size or life total. Its ability to have a player draw cards equal to half their library makes it flexible for various strategies that thrive on large hand sizes.

Combo Potential: This card is notorious for its combo potential, particularly when paired with effects that capitalize on the sudden influx of cards or utilize life loss as a win condition. It’s a linchpin in strategies designed to deliver a one-turn kill by drawing a significant portion of the player’s deck and then using cards like “Thassa’s Oracle” to claim victory.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where longer games dominate, and decks are built to withstand fast aggression, Peer into the Abyss can tip the scales in your favor. Its relevance in the meta comes from its ability to provide an immense advantage in grinder matches or to serve as a surprising finisher against unsuspecting opponents.


How to beat Peer into the Abyss

In the intricate dance of strategy that is MTG, Peer into the Abyss presents a unique challenge. This powerful black sorcery leads to a player drawing half their library, potentially setting up game-winning combos. To counter this, it’s crucial to limit the card’s effectiveness or stop it from resolving altogether.

One approach is to apply pressure early on. Force the Peer into the Abyss wielder to use their resources defensively, leaving them less capable of reaching the critical seven mana needed. Discard effects can strip the card from their hand before they get a chance to cast it. Cards like Thoughtseize or Duress are adept at this task, allowing you to proactively prevent the card from becoming an issue.

Countering the spell is another effective tactic. Blue players can keep mana open and rely on counterspells, such as Negate or Counterspell, ensuring Peer into the Abyss never hits the battlefield. If the spell does resolve, instant-speed removal or sacrifice effects can be used to deal with the overloaded hand before the opponent has a chance to capitalize.

By staying ahead in tempo, utilizing hand disruption, and keeping counterspells at the ready, MTG players can navigate around the dangers of Peer into the Abyss, maintaining control of the game’s flow.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the strategic depths of MTG requires an arsenal of tactics, including understanding when to use powerhouse cards like Peer into the Abyss. Drawing a significant portion of your library can be a monumental advantage, potentially setting up a victory. Whether you’re looking to enhance your mono-black deck or experiment with daring combos, embracing the risks and rewards of such a card can be your key to triumph. For more seasoned insights, combo breakdowns, and cutting-edge deck-building tips, join the ranks of savvy players. Learn more and transform your gameplay with the strategic depth Peer into the Abyss offers.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Peer into the Abyss MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2021, 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 Peer into the Abyss and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Peer into the Abyss Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 819622015NormalBlackIzzy
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 1172015NormalBlackIzzy
32020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3602015NormalBlackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Peer into the Abyss 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 Peer into the Abyss card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 The life lost is rounded up, not the remaining life total. For example, if the target player has 7 life, they lose 4 life and end up with 3. Similarly, the number of cards drawn is rounded up, not the number of cards remaining in the library.
2020-06-23 To draw the cards, first the player determines how many cards to draw, then draws them. This event may be modified so that a different number of cards are actually drawn.