Psionic Entity MTG Card


Psionic Entity enables card advantage and can surprise opponents with its instant speed deployment to the battlefield. Its versatility and synergy potential make it a valuable pick for blue-based control or spell-centric decks. Despite its strengths, the card has downsides like specific mana requirements and a high casting cost.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Illusion
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

oc T: Psionic Entity does 2 damage to any target but does 3 damage to itself.

Creatures of the Æther are notorious for neglecting their own well-being.


Cards like Psionic Entity

Psionic Entity is an intriguing creature card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It nestles into the space of blue cards that prioritize manipulating the ebb and flow of combat and strategy. Notably, it shares similarities with cards like Prodigal Sorcerer, often affectionately dubbed “Tim.” Like Psionic Entity, Prodigal Sorcerer has the ability to deal damage directly to creatures or players, albeit with less impact per tap.

Psionic Entity can also be compared to more modern cards, such as Zephyr Scribe, which possesses the unique ability to untap itself under specific conditions, potentially allowing for multiple uses in a single turn. However, unlike Zephyr Scribe, Psionic Entity brings a straightforward damaging ability to the field without the need to meet additional criteria.

Assessing these comparisons, Psionic Entity stands out for its damage potential and simple use, offering strategic advantages for controlling the board and picking off key threats in MTG. With these attributes in mind, it becomes apparent why Psionic Entity holds its own among creature cards that wield direct damage abilities.

Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Scribe - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Scribe - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Psionic Entity by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Psionic Entity provides added value by potentially revealing the top card of your library each turn, ensuring a steady flow of options in your hand to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to untap lands or artifacts during each player’s turn, it can be a catalyst for ramping up your resources, allowing more powerful plays ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: As a creature with flash, Psionic Entity can be summoned at lightning-fast instant speed, giving you the element of surprise and the flexibility to react to your opponent’s actions effectively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Psionic Entity demands a card to be discarded upon its activation. This can be particularly problematic when your hand is already sparse, forcing tough decisions on which valuable resources to let go. Players must gauge whether the payoff is worth the potential loss of momentum that comes from dwindling their own hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for both blue and colorless mana to summon Psionic Entity can pose a challenge. It confines the card’s inclusion to decks that are equipped to generate such a mana combination consistently, thus potentially restricting its widespread adaptability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost situated on the higher end of the spectrum, Psionic Entity may face competition from alternative cards that wield a more economical or impactful presence on the battlefield. Decks needing to maintain tempo in earlier game phases might find the cost of slotting in this card to detract from their overall efficiency and speed.


Reasons to Include Psionic Entity in Your Collection

Versatility: Psionic Entity offers dynamic play options for decks emphasizing spell casting or control tactics. Its ability to impact the board state with its psionic powers can easily slot into various blue-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with spell-heavy decks that reward players for casting instant and sorcery spells, amplifying both the threat and control elements of such decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-centric decks, Psionic Entity provides a unique edge by disrupting opponents’ strategies and maintaining board control, keeping your deck competitive and responsive to prevailing trends.


How to beat

Psionic Entity is a unique challenge within Magic: The Gathering, demanding strategic counters. This formidable card can tip the scales with its mind-bending abilities. To successfully navigate against this threat, focusing on removal spells that can target this creature directly is essential. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be particularly effective, allowing you to deal with the Psionic Entity before it can utilize its powerful abilities.

Furthermore, counter spells offer a preemptive solution, stopping the Psionic Entity before it even hits the battlefield. Cards such as Counterspell or Dispel can be key assets in your strategy. Should the Psionic Entity resolve, enchantments like Pacifism or Frogify can neutralize its abilities, rendering it harmless. The trick lies in identifying the opportune moment and having the right answer among your cards.

Ultimately, while Psionic Entity can be a daunting adversary, it’s not insurmountable. By prioritizing its neutralization quickly and efficiently, you can prevent it from altering the state of play in favor of your opponent. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial, allowing you to maintain control and come out on top.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Psionic Entity MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth 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 Psionic Entity and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Psionic Entity Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1995-08-01. Illustrated by Justin Hampton.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 671993NormalBlackJustin Hampton
21995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 951993NormalWhiteJustin Hampton
31995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 951993NormalBlackJustin Hampton
41995-08-01RenaissanceREN 381993NormalBlackJustin Hampton

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Psionic Entity has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The artist is actually Justin Hampton.