As a Magic: The Gathering player, one of the fundamental rules to understand is when to discard down to seven cards in hand. This rule is crucial to the game’s balance, as it forces players to make strategic decisions about which cards to keep and which to discard.
Understanding the basics of MTG is essential before diving into the intricacies of discarding. In MTG, players draw a card at the beginning of their turn, and they must discard down to seven cards at the end of their turn. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as having a card like Reliquary Tower that allows for a larger hand size.
However, in most cases, players must discard down to seven cards to avoid penalties.
Strategies for discarding to seven can vary depending on the situation. Sometimes it’s best to hold onto specific cards for later use, while other times, it’s better to discard them to avoid penalties. Discarding can also be used as a strategy to disrupt your opponent’s plans by forcing them to discard essential cards.
Key Takeaways – When to Discard to 7 in MTG
- Discarding to seven is a fundamental rule in MTG that players must understand to play the game.
- Understanding the basics of MTG is essential before diving into the intricacies of discarding.
- Strategies for discarding can vary depending on the situation and can be used to disrupt your opponent’s plans.
Understanding the Basics of MTG
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a popular collectible card game that has been around for over 25 years. It is a game that involves strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. In this section, I will discuss the basics of MTG gameplay, including the role of hand size, key rules and phases, and MTG formats.
The Role of Hand Size in Gameplay
Hand size is an important aspect of MTG gameplay. In each turn, players draw a card from their deck and add it to their hand. At the end of their turn, players must discard any excess cards in their hand until they have no more than the maximum hand size, which is typically seven cards.
Having too few cards in hand can limit a player’s options, while having too many can lead to having to discard valuable cards. Therefore, it is important for players to manage their hand size carefully throughout the game.
Key Rules and Phases
MTG has a set of rules and phases that players must follow in order to play the game correctly. The game is played in turns, with each turn consisting of several phases: beginning, pre-combat main, combat, post-combat main, and ending.
One of the key rules in MTG is the cleanup step, which occurs at the end of each turn. During the cleanup step, players must discard any excess cards in their hand until they have no more than the maximum hand size. Additionally, all damage on creatures is removed, and all “until end of turn” effects end during this step.
Magic: The Gathering Formats
MTG has several different formats that players can choose to play. The most popular formats are Standard, Modern, Legacy, and EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander). Each format has its own set of rules and restrictions, and players must build their decks accordingly.
Standard is the most popular format and consists of the most recent sets of cards. Modern includes cards from all sets released since 8th Edition. Legacy includes all cards ever printed in MTG, while EDH is a casual format that allows players to use only one copy of each card in their deck.
| Format | Card Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Standard | Most recent sets |
| Modern | All sets since 8th Edition |
| Legacy | All cards ever printed |
| EDH | One copy of each card |
FAQs
Q: What is the maximum hand size in MTG?
A: The maximum hand size in MTG is typically seven cards.
Q: When do I need to discard cards in MTG?
A: Players must discard any excess cards in their hand until they have no more than the maximum hand size during the cleanup step at the end of each turn.
Q: What are the most popular MTG formats?
A: The most popular MTG formats are Standard, Modern, Legacy, and EDH.
Strategies for Discarding to Seven
When playing Magic: The Gathering, it’s important to know when to discard to seven cards. Here are some strategies that I use to make the most out of my discards.
Balancing Hand Composition
One of the key aspects of discarding is to balance the composition of your hand. This means that you should try to keep a mix of creatures, spells, lands, artifacts, and enchantments in your hand.
If you have too many lands, for example, you might want to discard some of them to make room for other cards that can help you win the game.
Strategic Discard Timing
Another important aspect of discarding is timing. You should try to discard at the right moment to gain an advantage over your opponent.
For example, if your opponent has a lot of creatures on the board, you might want to discard some of your spells to get rid of them. On the other hand, if your opponent has a lot of spells, you might want to discard some of your creatures to avoid getting hit by them.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when discarding:
- Discard on your opponent’s turn to keep them guessing about your strategy.
- Keep an eye on your opponent’s hand size to anticipate their next move.
- Don’t be afraid to discard powerful cards if they don’t fit your strategy.
- Use discard effects to your advantage, such as cards that let you choose which cards to discard or force your opponent to discard.
Card Types and Their Impact on Discarding
As I evaluate my hand in Magic: The Gathering, I consider the type of cards I am holding and their impact on my decision to discard down to 7 cards. Here are some key considerations for each card type:
Creatures and Spells
Creatures and spells are the most common card types in Magic: The Gathering. When deciding which creatures and spells to keep, I consider their mana cost, their impact on the board state, and their synergy with other cards in my hand.
If I have multiple creatures or spells that serve similar purposes, I may choose to keep the one with the lowest mana cost to ensure that I can play it as soon as possible. On the other hand, if I have a high-cost creature or spell that can swing the game in my favor, I may choose to keep it and discard other cards instead.
Enchantments and Artifacts
Enchantments and artifacts are less common than creatures and spells, but they can have a significant impact on the game. When deciding which enchantments and artifacts to keep, I consider their mana cost, their impact on the board state, and their synergy with other cards in my hand.
Enchantments and artifacts are often more difficult to remove than creatures and spells, so I may choose to keep them even if they have a higher mana cost. However, if I have multiple enchantments or artifacts that serve similar purposes, I may choose to keep the one with the lowest mana cost to ensure that I can play it as soon as possible.
Table: Card Types and Their Impact on Discarding
| Card Type | Key Considerations |
|---|---|
| Creatures and Spells | Mana cost, impact on board state, synergy with other cards |
| Enchantments and Artifacts | Mana cost, impact on board state, synergy with other cards, difficulty to remove |
The Cleanup Step Explained
Executing the Cleanup Step
In MTG, the cleanup step is the fifth and final phase of a turn. It consists of two steps: End Step and Cleanup Step.
During the Cleanup Step, the active player must discard cards from their hand if they have more than their maximum hand size, which is normally seven cards.
This turn-based action doesn’t use the stack. The player discards cards until they have seven cards in hand. [1]
Effects of Discarding During Cleanup
Discarding during the Cleanup Step can have a significant impact on the game.
For example, if a player has more than seven cards in hand at the end of their turn and they discard down to seven during the Cleanup Step, they may lose valuable cards that they could have used during their next turn.
Additionally, if a player has fewer than seven cards in their library and they discard down to seven during the Cleanup Step, they may lose the game due to being unable to draw a card during their draw step.
It’s important to note that discarding during the Cleanup Step does not affect a player’s life total. Also, if a player has an effect that allows them to draw cards during their cleanup step, they must discard down to their maximum hand size after resolving that effect. [2]
| Entity | Description |
|---|---|
| Cleanup Step | The fifth and final phase of a turn in MTG |
| Discard | The act of moving a card from a player’s hand to their graveyard |
| Extra Cards | Cards in a player’s hand beyond their maximum hand size |
| Life Total | The amount of life a player has remaining |
| Library | The pile of cards a player draws from |
FAQs
Q: Can I begin a turn with more than seven cards in my hand?
A: Yes, you can begin a turn with more than seven cards in your hand. You only discard down to your maximum hand size of seven when your own turns end, during the cleanup step. [1]
Q: What happens if I have fewer than seven cards in my library and I discard down to seven during the Cleanup Step?
A: If a player has fewer than seven cards in their library and they discard down to seven during the Cleanup Step, they may lose the game due to being unable to draw a card during their draw step. [2]
Q: Does discarding during the Cleanup Step affect my life total?
A: No, discarding during the Cleanup Step does not affect a player’s life total. [2]
Discard Effects and Synergies
Utilizing Discard Effects
Discard effects are powerful tools in MTG that can help control the game and disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
Cards like Hymn to Tourach and Mind Twist can force your opponent to discard cards from their hand, limiting their options and potentially crippling their game plan.
These effects can also be used to get rid of cards that your opponent has been holding onto, such as powerful creatures or spells.
In addition to their disruptive power, discard effects can also be used to fuel other synergies in your deck.
Cards like Megrim and Rankle, Master of Pranks benefit from your opponent discarding cards, dealing damage or forcing additional discards respectively. Liliana of the Veil is another example of a card that can benefit from discard effects, allowing you to sacrifice creatures and disrupt your opponent’s hand simultaneously.
Building Synergy with Discard
Building a deck around discard synergies can lead to powerful combinations and game-winning strategies.
Discard plays different roles in various MTG formats, from Standard to Modern and Legacy.
In Modern, for example, there are several discard-focused decks that utilize cards like Raven’s Crime and Smallpox to generate value and control the game.
When building a discard-focused deck, it’s important to consider the different types of discard effects available and how they can work together.
Cards like Waste Not and Liliana’s Caress can generate additional value when your opponent discards cards, while cards like The Rack and Shrieking Affliction can deal damage to your opponent when they have a small hand size.
It’s also important to consider how your deck will function when you discard cards yourself.
Cards like Faithless Looting and Cathartic Reunion can help you dig through your deck and find the cards you need, while also fueling graveyard-based strategies like Delve or Dredge.
Opponent Discard Strategies
Forcing Opponent Discard
One of the most effective ways to gain control of the game is by forcing your opponent to discard their cards.
This can be achieved through various discard effects such as [[Rankle, Master of Pranks]] or [[Liliana of the Veil]].
By making your opponent discard cards, you are not only reducing their resources, but also gaining valuable information about their hand. This information can be used to plan your next moves and make strategic decisions.
When forcing your opponent to discard, it is important to consider the timing and frequency of your discard effects.
Discarding too early or too often can give your opponent time to recover or draw into more resources. On the other hand, waiting too long can allow your opponent to build up their hand and make your discard effects less impactful.
Therefore, it is important to strike a balance and use your discard effects strategically.
Advantages of Opponent Discard
Opponent discard strategies offer several advantages in MTG.
First, they disrupt your opponent’s game plan by reducing their resources and limiting their options. This can be particularly effective against control decks that rely on a few key cards to win the game.
By forcing your opponent to discard these cards, you can significantly reduce their chances of winning.
Second, opponent discard strategies provide valuable information about your opponent’s hand.
By seeing which cards your opponent chooses to discard, you can gain insights into their game plan and adjust your strategy accordingly. This can be especially useful in longer games where your opponent may have multiple win conditions.
Finally, opponent discard strategies can be used to gain control of the game.
By reducing your opponent’s resources and limiting their options, you can create opportunities to take control of the board and win the game.
| Advantages of Opponent Discard |
|---|
| Disrupts opponent’s game plan |
| Provides valuable information |
| Creates opportunities to take control of the game |
Deck Building with Discard in Mind
When building a deck with discard in mind, it is important to consider the synergy between the cards and the overall strategy of the deck.
In this section, I will discuss how to build a Mono Black Discard Deck and how to incorporate sideboard options.
Mono Black Discard Deck
A Mono Black Discard Deck is a deck that focuses on making the opponent discard their cards. This is achieved through a combination of discard spells, creatures with discard abilities, and cards that benefit from opponents having few or no cards in hand.
Here is an example of a Mono Black Discard Deck:
| Card Name | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Thoughtseize | 4 |
| Inquisition of Kozilek | 4 |
| Duress | 4 |
| Liliana’s Specter | 4 |
| Hypnotic Specter | 4 |
| Shrieking Affliction | 4 |
| The Rack | 4 |
| Smallpox | 4 |
| Fatal Push | 4 |
| Mutavault | 4 |
| Swamp | 20 |
The goal of this deck is to make the opponent discard their cards while dealing damage through cards like Shrieking Affliction and The Rack.
Creatures like Liliana’s Specter and Hypnotic Specter also help in this regard, while also providing a body on the board.
Incorporating Sideboard Options
When building a deck, it is important to consider the sideboard options. In a Mono Black Discard Deck, there are several options that can be included in the sideboard to help deal with specific matchups.
Here are some sideboard options to consider:
- Leyline of the Void: This card is great against graveyard-based decks. It exiles all cards from the opponent’s graveyard at the beginning of the game if it is in your opening hand.
- Bile Blight: This card is great against decks with small creatures. It can kill multiple creatures at once.
- Damping Sphere: This card is great against decks that rely on non-basic lands. It slows down their mana production.
- Phyrexian Arena: This card is great against control decks. It allows you to draw extra cards each turn.
Including these sideboard options can better prepare your deck for specific matchups and increase your chances of winning.
Advanced Play Techniques
Stack Interaction
When it comes to advanced play techniques in Magic: The Gathering, understanding the stack and how to interact with it is crucial. The stack is a zone where spells and abilities wait to resolve. Knowing how to manipulate the stack can give you a significant advantage in gameplay.
One technique that involves the stack is discarding a card in response to an opponent’s spell or ability. By discarding a card, you can put an instant or sorcery spell on the stack. This spell can then resolve before your opponent’s spell or ability. This can be a useful way to disrupt your opponent’s plans or to gain an advantage.
Another technique that involves the stack is using instant-speed discard spells during your opponent’s turn. By doing this, you can force your opponent to discard a key card. This will disrupt their strategy and potentially gain you an advantage.
Leveraging Discard in Combo and Control Decks
Discard can be a powerful tool in combo and control decks. In combo decks, discard spells can be used to disrupt your opponent’s strategy and prevent them from interfering with your combo. In control decks, discard spells can be used to remove threats from your opponent’s hand and prevent them from playing key cards.
One strategy for leveraging discard in combo and control decks is to focus on cards that have additional effects when they are discarded. For example, cards like [[Waste Not]] and [[Liliana’s Caress]] can deal damage to your opponent or generate additional resources when cards are discarded. By using these cards in conjunction with discard spells, you can create a powerful engine that can quickly overwhelm your opponent.
Another strategy for leveraging discard in combo and control decks is to focus on cards that can be cast from the graveyard. Cards like [[Snapcaster Mage]] and [[Kess, Dissident Mage]] can allow you to cast spells from your graveyard, even if they were discarded earlier in the game. By using these cards in conjunction with discard spells, you can create a powerful engine that can generate value and disrupt your opponent’s plans.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can disrupt opponent’s strategy | Can be difficult to use effectively |
| Can remove threats from opponent’s hand | Can be less effective against certain decks |
| Can generate additional resources or deal damage | Can be vulnerable to counterplay |
| Can create powerful engines with other cards | Can be resource-intensive |
Frequently Asked Questions – When to Discard to 7 in MTG
At what point in the game do you have to discard down to seven cards in Magic: The Gathering?
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, players must discard down to seven cards during the cleanup step of their turn. This occurs at the end of the player’s turn, after the end step and before the next player’s turn.
What is the cleanup step in MTG, and how does it relate to hand size?
The cleanup step in Magic: The Gathering is the final step of a player’s turn. During this step, players must discard down to seven cards in hand, any “until end of turn” effects end, and damage is removed from creatures and players. The cleanup step is important because it ensures that players start their turn with a fresh hand of seven cards.
Can players voluntarily discard cards at any time during a Magic: The Gathering match?
Yes, players can voluntarily discard cards at any time during a Magic: The Gathering match. However, this does not exempt them from the requirement to discard down to seven cards during the cleanup step.
What are the consequences of having more than seven cards in hand at the end of a turn in MTG?
If a player has more than seven cards in hand at the end of their turn, they must discard down to seven cards during the cleanup step. If they fail to do so, they will be forced to discard their excess cards at random until they have seven cards in hand.
How does the card Necropotence affect the maximum hand size rule in Magic: The Gathering?
Necropotence is an exception to the maximum hand size rule in Magic: The Gathering. When Necropotence is in play, players can pay life instead of discarding cards during the cleanup step. This means that players can have more than seven cards in hand as long as they have enough life to pay for the cards they draw.
Are there exceptions to the seven-card hand limit in Magic: The Gathering?
There are a few exceptions to the seven-card hand limit in Magic: The Gathering. Cards like Reliquary Tower and Thought Vessel allow players to have more than seven cards in hand without having to discard down to seven during the cleanup step. Additionally, some cards like Library of Alexandria and Anvil of Bogardan allow players to draw additional cards without having to discard down to seven.
Conclusion
In Magic: The Gathering, players must discard down to seven cards during the cleanup step of their turn. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Players who fail to discard down to seven cards will be forced to do so at random. Players can voluntarily discard cards at any time during the match, but this does not exempt them from the maximum hand size rule.
