Singe-Mind OgreHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

When Singe-Mind Ogre enters the battlefield, its triggered ability targets a player. That player must reveal a single card chosen at random from their hand. The game then checks the mana value of that specific card, and the revealed player loses life equal to that amount. Because the card is chosen at random, neither player can choose which card is revealed once the ability begins to resolve.

Resolving the Ability Step-by-Step

First, the Singe-Mind Ogre enters the battlefield and its ability is put onto the stack, requiring you to choose a target player. When the ability resolves, the target player first determines which card is revealed randomly—common methods include shuffling the hand face down and having an opponent pick one. Once the card is revealed, the mana value is determined (using 0 for lands). The player loses the life immediately, and the revealed card remains in their hand; it is not discarded or moved to another zone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A frequent error is assuming the revealed card goes to the graveyard; it stays in the player's hand after the ability finishes. Additionally, remember that mana value is determined by the total mana cost in the top corner of the card. If a land is revealed, the mana value is zero, resulting in no life loss. If the target player has zero cards in hand when the ability resolves, no card is revealed and no life is lost.

When to Play It

Singe-Mind Ogre is most effective when your opponent has a hand full of expensive, high-impact spells. It serves as both a 3/2 body for combat and a potential finishing move if your opponent is low on life and holding onto high-mana cards they cannot yet cast. It also provides valuable information by letting you see at least one card in their hand.

Interaction examples

Hitting a Value Target

Solemn Simulacrum

You cast Singe-Mind Ogre and target your opponent. They have two cards in hand: a basic Mountain and Solemn Simulacrum. They shuffle them face down and you pick one. If you pick the Solemn Simulacrum, it is revealed and the opponent loses 4 life because its mana value is 4. The card then returns to their hand.

Doubling the Pain

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Ogre' as it entered, Singe-Mind Ogre's ability will trigger twice when it enters. Each trigger resolves separately. For the first, the opponent reveals a random card and loses life. Then, they do it again for the second trigger. They might reveal the same card twice or two different cards, potentially resulting in massive life loss in a single turn.