Chains of Mephistopheles

legLegends#91rare
{1}{B}
Legal in 7 of 23 formats
Treatments
Reserved List
Price today · this printing
Nonfoil
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Understand this card

Oracle text

Enchantment

If a player would draw a card except the first one they draw in each of their draw steps, that player discards a card instead. If the player discards a card this way, they draw a card. If the player doesn't discard a card this way, they mill a card.

Ability breakdown
Abilities
ReplacementIf a player would draw a card except the first one they draw in each of their draw steps, that player discards a card instead. If the player discards a card this way, they draw a card. If the player doesn't discard a card this way, they mill a card.
Rulings
  • WotCSep 16, 2007

    A player’s normal card draw on their turn is exempt from this effect. All other draws will be affected.

  • WotCSep 16, 2007

    Here’s what happens when Chains of Mephistopheles replaces a player’s draw: — If that player has at least one card in their hand, they discard a card and then draws a card. — If that player’s hand is empty, they put the top card of their library into their graveyard. The player doesn’t draw a card at all.

  • WotCSep 16, 2007

    If a spell or ability would cause a player to draw multiple cards, this is treated as a number of individual “draw one card” actions. Apply the effect of Chains of Mephistopheles to each one.

  • WotCOct 4, 2004

    Cards which are drawn as a cost are affected by this card because replacement effects can alter the payment of costs.

  • WotCOct 4, 2004

    The effect is cumulative. If there are two of these on the battlefield, each of them will modify each draw (after the first one if during the draw step), and will cause the player to discard or to “mill” a card from their library. As they resolve in order, the player must discard if possible. Once the player fails to discard and instead “mills” a card, all further effects of additional Chains of Mephistopheles will not do anything. This is because the “mill” also replaces the draw effect and the player is no longer drawing a card. You handle them in order. Each one makes you discard first and then continue or else mill a card and lose the draw.

Why you'd run this

Plays as
Card DrawOpponent DiscardSelf Mill

Combos

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Where you can play it

commander
Legal to play
All formats
Format legality
AlchemyNot legal
BrawlNot legal
CommanderLegal
competitivebrawlNot legal
DuelLegal
Future StandardNot legal
GladiatorNot legal
HistoricNot legal
LegacyLegal
ModernNot legal
OathbreakerLegal
Old SchoolNot legal
PauperNot legal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
PennyNot legal
PioneerNot legal
PreDHLegal
PremodernNot legal
StandardNot legal
Standard BrawlNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Tiny LeadersLegal
VintageLegal

Other printings

1 printings across 1 sets
Printings

This is the only printing — Legends #91.

Flavor & art
Illustrated by
Heather Hudson
Market & price history
Reference & links
Card details
Artist
Heather Hudson
Frame
1993
Language
EN
Border
black
Security stamp