Mill: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
>Neoheart
No edit summary
(missing word)
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
| storm = 1
| storm = 1
| storm_ref = <ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/622604892583903232|title=Where are bloodrush and mill each on the storm scale|2020-07-03}}</ref>
| storm_ref = <ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/622604892583903232|title=Where are bloodrush and mill each on the storm scale|2020-07-03}}</ref>
| stats = {{stats|W=1|U=146|B=85|R=8|G=34|UB=30|WU=1|BG=16|GU=3|RW=1|L=8|M=6|A=40}}
| stats = {{stats|C=1|W=2|U=152|B=93|R=8|G=37|UB=34|WU=2|UR=1|BG=16|GU=3|RW=1|L=8|M=8|A=42}}
}}
}}
'''Mill''' is a [[keyword action]] used in ''[[Magic]]'' to describe the action of a player taking [[card]]s from the top of their [[library]] and putting them into their [[graveyard]]. For a player to mill N cards, they put the top N cards from their library into their graveyard.
'''Mill''' is a [[keyword action]] used in ''[[Magic]]'' to describe the action of a player taking [[card]]s from the top of their [[library]] and putting them into their [[graveyard]]. For a player to mill N cards, they put the top N cards from their library into their graveyard.
Line 23: Line 23:


==Description==
==Description==
Milling is a [[strategy]] some decks use which takes advantage of the [[List of Magic slang#Decking|decking rule]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/milling-about-2010-01-08|Milling, About|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/milled-potpourri-2010-01-14|Milled Potpourri|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/mill-through-ages-2015-08-19|Mill Through the Ages|Michael Yichao|August 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|beyond-basics/miserable-mill-2017-02-16|The Miserable Mill|[[Gavin Verhey]]|February 16, 2017}}</ref> Emptying the opponent's library is one way to ensure a victory, although they do not lose until they actually have to draw a card.
Milling is a [[strategy]] some decks use which takes advantage of the [[List of Magic slang#Decking|decking rule]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/milling-about-2010-01-08|Milling, About|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/milled-potpourri-2010-01-14|Milled Potpourri|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/mill-through-ages-2015-08-19|Mill Through the Ages|Michael Yichao|August 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/miserable-mill-2017-02-16|The Miserable Mill|[[Gavin Verhey]]|February 16, 2017}}</ref> Emptying the opponent's library is one way to ensure a victory, although they do not lose until they actually have to draw a card.


There are two basic types of mill decks. The [[control]] deck looks to take over the game through [[kill]]ing the opponent's [[creatures]] and [[counter]]ing their [[spell]]s, using milling as a hard-to-disrupt way win the game; some actively mill by cards such as {{Card|Nephalia Drownyard}}, and some do so passively, most notoriously with {{Card|Elixir of Immortality}} like the champion's deck of [[Pro Tour Magic 2015]]. The second approach acts like a [[Direct damage|burn]] deck by playing primarily mill cards and looks to mill the opponent out as soon as possible.
There are two basic types of mill decks. The [[control]] deck looks to take over the game through [[kill]]ing the opponent's [[creatures]] and [[counter]]ing their [[spell]]s, using milling as a hard-to-disrupt way to win the game; some actively mill by cards such as {{Card|Nephalia Drownyard}}, and some do so passively, most notoriously with {{Card|Elixir of Immortality}} like the champion's deck of [[Pro Tour Magic 2015]]. The second approach acts like a [[Direct damage|burn]] deck by playing primarily mill cards and looks to mill the opponent out as soon as possible.


Cards that cause a player to mill have most often been found in [[blue]] ([[primary]]) or [[black]] ([[secondary]]), especially in the [[Dimir]] guild of the [[Ravnica block]]s, though most of the earliest milling cards were [[artifacts]]. [[Green]] (tertiary) usually mills itself caring about what gets milled in some way, but on rare occasion, does that to all players.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/678549695055953920/is-mill-primary-blue-secondary-black-tertiary|title=Is mill primary blue, secondary black, tertiary green?|March 12, 2022}}</ref>  
Cards that cause a player to mill have most often been found in [[blue]] ([[primary]]) or [[black]] ([[secondary]]), especially in the [[Dimir]] guild of the [[Ravnica block]]s, though most of the earliest milling cards were [[artifacts]]. [[Green]] (tertiary) usually mills itself caring about what gets milled in some way, but on rare occasion, does that to all players.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/678549695055953920/is-mill-primary-blue-secondary-black-tertiary|title=Is mill primary blue, secondary black, tertiary green?|March 12, 2022}}</ref>  
Line 32: Line 32:


===Related terms===
===Related terms===
"Self-mill" is the informal term of using mill on yourself in order to fill up your own graveyard or dig through your library. Both blue and black get self-mill both as an [[effect]] and a [[cost]].<ref name="Pie Changes">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2021-changes-2021-10-18|Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 18, 2021}}</ref>
"Self-mill" is the informal term of using mill on yourself in order to fill up your own graveyard or dig through your library. Both blue and black get self-mill both as an [[effect]] and a [[cost]].<ref name="Pie Changes">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2021-changes|Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 18, 2021}}</ref>


"[[#Grind|Grind]]" is a variation of milling which puts cards from a player's library into their graveyard until a specified number of land cards are put there.
"[[#Grind|Grind]]" is a variation of milling which puts cards from a player's library into their graveyard until a specified number of land cards are put there.
Line 43: Line 43:


==Rulings==
==Rulings==
* If a player is instructed to mill more cards than they have in their library, they put all of the cards in their library into their graveyard. On the other hand, if a player is given a choice to mill more cards than they have in their library, they can't choose to do so.
*If a player is instructed to mill more cards than they have in their library, they put all of the cards in their library into their graveyard. On the other hand, if a player is given a choice to mill more cards than they have in their library, they can't choose to do so.
* Once a player's library is empty, that player doesn't lose the game until they try to draw a card and can't.
*Once a player's library is empty, that player doesn't lose the game until they try to draw a card and can't.


==List of mill instants and sorceries==
==List of mill instants and sorceries==
Line 67: Line 67:
*<c>Psychic Strike</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} counter target spell. Its controller (two)
*<c>Psychic Strike</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} counter target spell. Its controller (two)
*<c>Ray of Erasure</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (one) - [[Cantrip|Slowtrip]]
*<c>Ray of Erasure</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (one) - [[Cantrip|Slowtrip]]
*{{card|Seed of Hope||MOM}} {{G}} {{-}} you (two)
*<c>Tibalt's Trickery</c> {{1}}{{R}} {{-}} Counter target Spell. Its controller (one, two, or three (at random))
*<c>Tibalt's Trickery</c> {{1}}{{R}} {{-}} Counter target Spell. Its controller (one, two, or three (at random))
*<c>Thought Collapse</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} counter target spell. Its controller (three)
*<c>Thought Collapse</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} counter target spell. Its controller (three)
*<c>Thought Scour</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (two) - [[Cantrip]]
*<c>Thought Scour</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (two) - [[Cantrip]]
*<c>Unseal the Necropolis</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} Each player (two)
*{{card|Very Cryptic Command||UST|#=49e}} {{1}}{{U}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} Target player (X) where X is the total of two dice rolls - quad-modal spell
*{{card|Very Cryptic Command||UST|#=49e}} {{1}}{{U}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} Target player (X) where X is the total of two dice rolls - quad-modal spell
*<c>Vision Charm</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (four) - tri-modal spell
*<c>Vision Charm</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (four) - tri-modal spell
Line 79: Line 81:
*<c>Bond of Insight</c> {{3}}{{U}} {{-}} each player (4), return up to two instants and/or sorceries from your [[graveyard]] to your hand and exiles itself.
*<c>Bond of Insight</c> {{3}}{{U}} {{-}} each player (4), return up to two instants and/or sorceries from your [[graveyard]] to your hand and exiles itself.
*<c>Book Burning </c> {{1}}{{R}} {{-}} target player (six), unless a player takes 6 damage
*<c>Book Burning </c> {{1}}{{R}} {{-}} target player (six), unless a player takes 6 damage
*<c>Breach the Multiverse</c> {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} each player (ten)
*<c>Breaking</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (eight) - split card w/ fuse
*<c>Breaking</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (eight) - split card w/ fuse
*<c>Can't Wake Up</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} Target Player (four)
*<c>Chill of Foreboding</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} each player (five) - [[Flashback]] {{7}}{{U}}
*<c>Chill of Foreboding</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} each player (five) - [[Flashback]] {{7}}{{U}}
*<c>Coerced Confession</c> {{4}}{{U/B}} {{-}} target player (four)
*<c>Coerced Confession</c> {{4}}{{U/B}} {{-}} target player (four)
Line 104: Line 108:
*<c>Mind Sculpt</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} target opponent (seven)
*<c>Mind Sculpt</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} target opponent (seven)
*<c>Paranoid Delusions</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (three) - [[Cipher]]
*<c>Paranoid Delusions</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (three) - [[Cipher]]
*<c>Path of the Seeker</c> {{4}}{{B}} {{-}} each player (two)
*<c>Pilfered Plans</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (two)
*<c>Pilfered Plans</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (two)
*<c>Psychic Drain</c> {{X}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (X) and you gain X life
*<c>Psychic Drain</c> {{X}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} target player (X) and you gain X life
Line 111: Line 116:
*<c>Startled Awake</c> {{2}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} target opponent (thirteen)
*<c>Startled Awake</c> {{2}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} target opponent (thirteen)
*<c>Stream of Thought</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (four), you [[shuffle]] up to four cards from your [[graveyard]] into your [[library]] - [[Replicate]] {{2}}{{U}}{{U}}  
*<c>Stream of Thought</c> {{U}} {{-}} target player (four), you [[shuffle]] up to four cards from your [[graveyard]] into your [[library]] - [[Replicate]] {{2}}{{U}}{{U}}  
*<c>Summon Undead</c>{{4}}{{B}} {{-}} you (three)
*<c>Summon Undead</c> {{4}}{{B}} {{-}} you (three)
*<c>Summons of Saruman</c> {{X}}{{U}}{{R}} {{-}} you (X, where X is the mana spent on X or exiled cards when [[Flashback]]ed)
*<c>Surrounded by Orcs</c> {{3}}{{U}} {{-}} target player (X, where X is amassed Army's power)
*<c>Sweet Oblivion</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} target player (four), [[Escape]] {{3}}{{U}}; Exile four other cards from your graveyard.
*<c>Sweet Oblivion</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} target player (four), [[Escape]] {{3}}{{U}}; Exile four other cards from your graveyard.
*<c>Tasha’s Hideous Laughter</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} each opponent exiles (until cards with [[mana value]] 20 or more are exiled).
*<c>Tasha’s Hideous Laughter</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} each opponent exiles (until cards with [[mana value]] 20 or more are exiled).
Line 146: Line 153:
*<c>Crosstown Courier</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever Crosstown Courier deals combat damage to a player, that player (that many cards)
*<c>Crosstown Courier</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever Crosstown Courier deals combat damage to a player, that player (that many cards)
*<c>Devoted Grafkeeper</c> {{W}}{{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, you (two)
*<c>Devoted Grafkeeper</c> {{W}}{{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, you (two)
*<c>A-Devoted Grafkeeper</c> {{W}}{{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, you (two)
*<c>Diligent Excavator</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you cast a [[historic]] spell, target player (two)
*<c>Diligent Excavator</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you cast a [[historic]] spell, target player (two)
*<c>Doorkeeper</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{2}}{{U}}, {{T}}: target player (X), where X is the number of creatures with defender you control.
*<c>Doorkeeper</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{2}}{{U}}, {{T}}: target player (X), where X is the number of creatures with defender you control.
Line 165: Line 173:
*<c>Flayed One</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} when enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Flayed One</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} when enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Flint Golem</c> {{4}} {{-}} whenever Flint Golem is blocked, defending player (three)
*<c>Flint Golem</c> {{4}} {{-}} whenever Flint Golem is blocked, defending player (three)
*<c>Flitting Guerrilla</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} when dies, each player (two)
*<c>Geralf's Mindcrusher</c> {{4}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} when Geralf's Mindcrusher enters the battlefield, target player (five) - [[Undying]]
*<c>Geralf's Mindcrusher</c> {{4}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} when Geralf's Mindcrusher enters the battlefield, target player (five) - [[Undying]]
*<c>Geth, Lord of the Vault</c> {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} {{X}}{{B}}: put target artifact or creature card with converted mana cost X from an opponent's graveyard onto the battlefield under your control tapped. Then that player (X).
*<c>Geth, Lord of the Vault</c> {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} {{X}}{{B}}: put target artifact or creature card with converted mana cost X from an opponent's graveyard onto the battlefield under your control tapped. Then that player (X).
Line 173: Line 182:
*<c>Hag of Scoured Thoughts</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your upkeep, each opponent (five)
*<c>Hag of Scoured Thoughts</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your upkeep, each opponent (five)
*<c>Halimar Excavator</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever Halimar Excavator or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, target player (X), where X is the number of Allies you control.
*<c>Halimar Excavator</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever Halimar Excavator or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, target player (X), where X is the number of Allies you control.
*<c>Halo-Charged Skaab</c> {{4}}{{U}} {{-}} enter the battlefield, each player (two)
*<c>Hedron Crab</c> {{U}} {{-}} [[Landfall]] - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, target player (three).
*<c>Hedron Crab</c> {{U}} {{-}} [[Landfall]] - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, target player (three).
*<c>Homarid Explorer</c> {{3}}{{U}} {{-}} - enters the battlefield, target player (four).  
*<c>Homarid Explorer</c> {{3}}{{U}} {{-}} - enters the battlefield, target player (four).  
Line 183: Line 193:
*<c>Kairi, the Swirling Sky</c> {{4}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} when dies, you (six)
*<c>Kairi, the Swirling Sky</c> {{4}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} when dies, you (six)
*<c>Koma's Faithful</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} when dies, each player (three)
*<c>Koma's Faithful</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} when dies, each player (three)
*<c>A-Krydle of Baldur's Gate</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} when deals combat damage, that player (one)
*<c>Krydle of Baldur's Gate</c> {{U}}{{B}} {{-}} when deals combat damage, that player (one)
*<c>Lich Lord of Unx</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} {{U}}{{U}}{{B}}{{B}}: target player loses X life and (X), where X is the number of Zombies you control.
*<c>Lich Lord of Unx</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} {{U}}{{U}}{{B}}{{B}}: target player loses X life and (X), where X is the number of Zombies you control.
*<c>Lord of the Forsaken</c> {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} {{B}} Sacrifice another creature: target player (three)
*<c>Lord of the Forsaken</c> {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} {{B}} Sacrifice another creature: target player (three)
Line 198: Line 210:
*<c>Moldgraf Millipede</c> {{4}}{{G}} {{-}} Enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Moldgraf Millipede</c> {{4}}{{G}} {{-}} Enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Monstrous War-Leech</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} Enters the battlefield, you (four)
*<c>Monstrous War-Leech</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} Enters the battlefield, you (four)
*<c>The Mouth of Sauron</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} Enters the battlefield, target player (three)
*<c>Necromaster Dragon</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} whenever Necromaster Dragon deals combat damage, pay {{2}}. Each opponent (two)
*<c>Necromaster Dragon</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} whenever Necromaster Dragon deals combat damage, pay {{2}}. Each opponent (two)
*<c>Necron Deathmark</c> {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} when enters the battlefield, target player (three)
*<c>Necron Deathmark</c> {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} when enters the battlefield, target player (three)
*<c>Nemesis of Reason</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} whenever Nemesis of Reason attacks, defending player (ten)
*<c>Nemesis of Reason</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} whenever Nemesis of Reason attacks, defending player (ten)
*<c>Nimana Skydancer</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, target opponent (two)
*<c>Nimana Skydancer</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, target opponent (two)
*<c>Nezumi Freewheeler</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} when enters the battlefield, each player (three)
*<c>Numbing Jellyfish</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} Target player (X), where X equal result of a die roll
*<c>Numbing Jellyfish</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} Target player (X), where X equal result of a die roll
*<c>Nyx Weaver</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} at the beginning of your upkeep, you (two)
*<c>Nyx Weaver</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} at the beginning of your upkeep, you (two)
*<c>Old Rutstein</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} enters the battlefield and at the beginning of your upkeep, you (one)
*<c>Old Rutstein</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} enters the battlefield and at the beginning of your upkeep, you (one)
*<c>Overwhelmed Apprentice</c> {{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, each opponent (two)
*<c>Overwhelmed Apprentice</c> {{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, each opponent (two)
*<c>Pelargir Survivor</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{5}}{{U}}, {{T}}: target player (three)
*<c>Persistent Petitioners</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} tap four untapped Advisors you control: target player (twelve); {{1}}, {{T}} target player (1).
*<c>Persistent Petitioners</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} tap four untapped Advisors you control: target player (twelve); {{1}}, {{T}} target player (1).
*<c>Phenax, God of Deception</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} creatures you control have "{{t}}: target player (X), where X equals this creature's toughness."
*<c>Phenax, God of Deception</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} creatures you control have "{{t}}: target player (X), where X equals this creature's toughness."
Line 220: Line 235:
*<c>Sage of Mysteries</c> {{U}} {{-}} [[Constellation]] - target player (two)
*<c>Sage of Mysteries</c> {{U}} {{-}} [[Constellation]] - target player (two)
*<c>Sage's Row Denizen</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever another blue creature enters the battlefield under your control, target player (two)
*<c>Sage's Row Denizen</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever another blue creature enters the battlefield under your control, target player (two)
*<c>Saruman of Many Colors</c> {{3}}{{W}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, each opponent (two)
*<c>Sauron, Lord of the Rings</c> {{5}}{{U}}{{B}}{{R}} {{-}} When you cast this spell, you (five)
*<c>Scalpelexis</c> {{4}}{{U}} {{-}} Whenever Scalpelexis deals combat damage to a player, that player exiles the top four cards of their library. If two or more of those cards have the same name, repeat this process.
*<c>Scalpelexis</c> {{4}}{{U}} {{-}} Whenever Scalpelexis deals combat damage to a player, that player exiles the top four cards of their library. If two or more of those cards have the same name, repeat this process.
*<c>Screaming Swarm</c> {{5}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you attack with one or more creatures, target player (X, where X is attacking creatures)
*<c>Screaming Swarm</c> {{5}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you attack with one or more creatures, target player (X, where X is attacking creatures)
Line 246: Line 263:
*<c>Tainted Monkey</c> {{1}}{{B}} {{-}} {{T}}: target player (one)
*<c>Tainted Monkey</c> {{1}}{{B}} {{-}} {{T}}: target player (one)
*<c>Tawnos, Solemn Survivor</c> {{1}}{{B}} {{-}} {{2}}, {{T}}: you (two)
*<c>Tawnos, Solemn Survivor</c> {{1}}{{B}} {{-}} {{2}}, {{T}}: you (two)
*<c>Tazri, Stalwart Survivor</c> {{2}}{{W}} {{mana|WUBRG}}, {{T}}: you (five)
*<c>Technomancer</c> {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Technomancer</c> {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, you (three)
*<c>Tenured Oilcaster</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} attacks or blocks, each player (one)
*<c>Terisian Mindbreaker</c> {{7}} {{-}} When attacks, defending player (half their library, rounded up)
*<c>Terisian Mindbreaker</c> {{7}} {{-}} When attacks, defending player (half their library, rounded up)
*<c>Thassa's Devourer</c> {{4}}{{U}} {{-}} [[Constellation]] - target player (two)
*<c>Thassa's Devourer</c> {{4}}{{U}} {{-}} [[Constellation]] - target player (two)
Line 273: Line 292:
*<c>Jace, Memory Adept</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}}: Draw a card. Target player (one); {{loyalty|0}}: target player (ten)
*<c>Jace, Memory Adept</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}}: Draw a card. Target player (one); {{loyalty|0}}: target player (ten)
*<c>Jace, Telepath Unbound</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-9}}: You get an emblem with "Whenever you cast a spell, target opponent (five)"
*<c>Jace, Telepath Unbound</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-9}}: You get an emblem with "Whenever you cast a spell, target opponent (five)"
*<c>Jace, Wielder of Mysteries</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}} target player (two), Draw a card. Also two alternate win conditions through self-mill
*<c>Jace, the Perfected Mind</c> {{2}}{{U}}{{U/P}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-2}}: Target player (three); {{loyalty|-X}}: target player (three times X)
*<c>Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-2}} you (three)
*<c>Jace, Wielder of Mysteries</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}}: target player (two), Draw a card. Also two alternate win conditions through self-mill
*<c>Vivien on the Hunt</c> {{4}}{{G}}{{G}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}} you (five)
*<c>Tyvar, Jubilant Brawler</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-2}}: you (three)
*<c>Vivien on the Hunt</c> {{4}}{{G}}{{G}} {{-}} {{loyalty|+1}}: you (five)
*<c>Wrenn and Realmbreaker</c> {{1}}{{G}}{{G}} {{-}} {{loyalty|-2}}: you (three)


==Enchantments==
==Enchantments==
Line 284: Line 305:
*<c>Crawling Infestation</c> {{2}}{{G}} {{-}} Beginning of your upkeep, you may (two)
*<c>Crawling Infestation</c> {{2}}{{G}} {{-}} Beginning of your upkeep, you may (two)
*<c>Curse of the Bloody Tome</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} enchant player; at the beginning of enchanted player's upkeep, that player (two)
*<c>Curse of the Bloody Tome</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} enchant player; at the beginning of enchanted player's upkeep, that player (two)
*<c>Death in Heaven</c> {{3}}{{B}} {{-}} {{Chapter|I}} and {{Chapter|II}} target player (two).
*<c>Death's Oasis</c> {{W}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, you (two)
*<c>Death's Oasis</c> {{W}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, you (two)
*<c>Disturbing Conversion</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} enters the battlefield, each player (two)
*<c>Drowned Secrets</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you cast a blue spell, target player (two).
*<c>Drowned Secrets</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you cast a blue spell, target player (two).
*<c>Evanescent Intellect</c> {{U}} {{-}} enchant creature; {{1}}{{U}},{{T}}: Target player (three)  
*<c>Evanescent Intellect</c> {{U}} {{-}} enchant creature; {{1}}{{U}},{{T}}: Target player (three)  
Line 291: Line 314:
*<c>Founding the Third Path</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{Chapter|II}} target player (four).
*<c>Founding the Third Path</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{Chapter|II}} target player (four).
*<c>Fraying Sanity</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} enchant player; at the beginning of each end step, (X), where X is the number of cards put into that graveyard from anywhere this turn.
*<c>Fraying Sanity</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} enchant player; at the beginning of each end step, (X), where X is the number of cards put into that graveyard from anywhere this turn.
*<c>The Grand Evolution</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{G}} {{-}} {{Chapter|I}} you (ten).
*<c>Harald Unites the Elves</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} you (three).
*<c>Harald Unites the Elves</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} you (three).
*<c>A-Harald Unites the Elves</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} you (five).
*<c>A-Harald Unites the Elves</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{G}} {{-}} you (five).
Line 301: Line 325:
*<c>Mystic Redaction</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you discard a card, each opponent (two).
*<c>Mystic Redaction</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you discard a card, each opponent (two).
*<c>Navigator's Ruin</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} [[Raid]] - at beginning of your end step, target opponent (four)
*<c>Navigator's Ruin</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} [[Raid]] - at beginning of your end step, target opponent (four)
*<c>One Ring to Rule Them All</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} {{Chapter|I}} each player (X, where X is your [[Ring-bearer]]'s power)
*<c>Out of the Tombs</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your upkeep, you (X, where X is the number of eon counters on it)
*<c>Out of the Tombs</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your upkeep, you (X, where X is the number of eon counters on it)
*<c>Patient Rebuilding</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} at the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent (three)
*<c>Patient Rebuilding</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{U}} {{-}} at the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent (three)
*<c>Psychic Corrosion</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you draw a card, each opponent (two).
*<c>Psychic Corrosion</c> {{2}}{{U}} {{-}} whenever you draw a card, each opponent (two).
*<c>The Scriptures of Truth</c> {{{3}}{{B}}{{B}} {{-}} {{Chapter|II}} each opponent (three).
*<c>Sigil of Myrkul</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your combat, you (one)
*<c>Sigil of Myrkul</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your combat, you (one)
*<c>A-Sigil of Myrkul</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your combat, you (one)
*<c>A-Sigil of Myrkul</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} beginning of your combat, you (one)
Line 323: Line 349:
*<c>Embalmer's Tools</c> {{2}} {{-}} tap an untapped Zombie you control: target player (one)
*<c>Embalmer's Tools</c> {{2}} {{-}} tap an untapped Zombie you control: target player (one)
*<c>Folio of Fancies</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{T}}: each opponent (number of cards in their hand)
*<c>Folio of Fancies</c> {{1}}{{U}} {{-}} {{T}}: each opponent (number of cards in their hand)
*<c>Font of Progress</c> {{U}} {{-}} {{3}}, {{T}}: target player (X), where X is the number of [[Oil counter]]s on Font of Progress.
*<c>Ghoulcaller's Bell</c> {{1}} {{-}} {{T}}: each player (one)
*<c>Ghoulcaller's Bell</c> {{1}} {{-}} {{T}}: each player (one)
*<c>Grindclock</c> {{2}} {{-}} {{T}}: put a charge counter on Grindclock. {{T}}: Target player (X), where X is the number of charge counters on Grindclock.
*<c>Grindclock</c> {{2}} {{-}} {{T}}: put a charge counter on Grindclock. {{T}}: Target player (X), where X is the number of charge counters on Grindclock.
Line 333: Line 360:
*<c>Mindcrank</c> {{2}} {{-}} whenever an opponent loses life (X), where X is amount of life lost
*<c>Mindcrank</c> {{2}} {{-}} whenever an opponent loses life (X), where X is amount of life lost
*<c>Necron Monolith</c> {{7}} {{-}} when attacks, you (three)
*<c>Necron Monolith</c> {{7}} {{-}} when attacks, you (three)
*<c>Palantir of Orthanc</c> {{3}} {{-}} At the beginning of your end step, you (X, where X is [[Influence counter]]s on it)
*<c>Pestilent Cauldron</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} {{1}}, {{T}}: each opponent (X), where X is the amount of life you gained this turn
*<c>Pestilent Cauldron</c> {{2}}{{B}} {{-}} {{1}}, {{T}}: each opponent (X), where X is the amount of life you gained this turn
*<c>Realmbreaker, the Invasion Tree</c> {{3}} {{-}} {{2}}, {{T}}: target opponent (three)
*<c>Sands of Delirium</c> {{3}} {{-}} {{X}}, {{T}}: target player (X)
*<c>Sands of Delirium</c> {{3}} {{-}} {{X}}, {{T}}: target player (X)
*<c>Shriekhorn</c> {{1}} {{-}} Shriekhorn enters the battlefield with three charge counters on it. {{T}}, remove a charge counter from Shriekhorn: target player (two)
*<c>Shriekhorn</c> {{1}} {{-}} Shriekhorn enters the battlefield with three charge counters on it. {{T}}, remove a charge counter from Shriekhorn: target player (two)
Line 353: Line 382:
*<c>Takenuma, Abandoned Mire</c> {{-}} [[Channel]] {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}, Discard Takenuma, Abandoned Mire: you (three).
*<c>Takenuma, Abandoned Mire</c> {{-}} [[Channel]] {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}, Discard Takenuma, Abandoned Mire: you (three).
*<c>Tomb Fortress</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}}, {{T}}, Exile it: you (four)
*<c>Tomb Fortress</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}}, {{T}}, Exile it: you (four)
==Battles which cause mill==
*<c>Invasion of Amonkhet</c> {{1}}{{U}}{{B}} {{-}} each player (three)
==Planes which cause mill==
*<c>Inys Haen</c> {{-}} When [[planeswalk]]ed to and beginning of your upkeep, you (three)


==Grind==
==Grind==

Latest revision as of 13:20, 11 March 2024

Mill
Keyword Action
Introduced Antiquities (mechanic)
Core Set 2021 (keyword)
Last used Evergreen
Reminder Text Mill N cards (Put the top N cards from the library into your/their graveyard.)
Storm Scale 1[1]
Statistics
408 cards
{C} 0.2% {W} 0.5% {U} 37.3% {B} 22.8% {R} 2% {G} 9.1% {W/U} 0.5% {U/B} 8.3% {U/R} 0.2% {B/G} 3.9% {R/W} 0.2% {G/U} 0.7% {M} 2% {artifact symbol} 10.3% {land symbol} 2%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Mill"

Mill is a keyword action used in Magic to describe the action of a player taking cards from the top of their library and putting them into their graveyard. For a player to mill N cards, they put the top N cards from their library into their graveyard. The term alludes to the card Millstone, which was first printed in Antiquities and was the first card to feature this mechanic.

History

The term "mill" originated with the card Millstone, which originally had the text "{2}:Take the top two cards of target player's library and place them in target player's graveyard." As more cards were printed with the "put X cards from a player's library into their graveyard" effect, players began to call it "milling", and the term became accepted informally even by Wizards R&D.[2] The effect was used infrequently until Innistrad block when it saw a noticeable increase. As usage increased, R&D wanted to create an official keyword for this mechanic.[3] Although not officially stated, it is likely they did this for the same reason they have created other standard wording changes and keywords - to save space in the text box. During the development of Shadows over Innistrad, there was a point in which milling played a significant role in the design of the set, and the term “forget” was used for a while during its design.[4]

Ultimately, the term "mill" was chosen both in reference to the original card and because it was already so popular as an informal term—it has permeated into other games and some dictionaries, despite the oblique etymology. It was first introduced as a keyword action on the Mystery Booster test card Truth or Dare (To mill, put the top card of that library into its owner's graveyard), and was officially introduced on tournament-legal cards in Core Set 2021.[5] It was featured soon after as one of the many themes in Jumpstart.

With the release of Core Set 2021, all cards with a milling effect received an Oracle update to use the "mill" keyword. Milling does not include effects that instruct players to look at a card from the top of a library and then possibly move it to a graveyard.[6]

Even before it became a keyword action, milling was and still is essentially an evergreen mechanic, though never formally stated as such, as it appears in almost every set.

Description

Milling is a strategy some decks use which takes advantage of the decking rule.[7][8][9][10] Emptying the opponent's library is one way to ensure a victory, although they do not lose until they actually have to draw a card.

There are two basic types of mill decks. The control deck looks to take over the game through killing the opponent's creatures and countering their spells, using milling as a hard-to-disrupt way to win the game; some actively mill by cards such as Nephalia Drownyard, and some do so passively, most notoriously with Elixir of Immortality like the champion's deck of Pro Tour Magic 2015. The second approach acts like a burn deck by playing primarily mill cards and looks to mill the opponent out as soon as possible.

Cards that cause a player to mill have most often been found in blue (primary) or black (secondary), especially in the Dimir guild of the Ravnica blocks, though most of the earliest milling cards were artifacts. Green (tertiary) usually mills itself caring about what gets milled in some way, but on rare occasion, does that to all players.[11]

Flavor-wise, milling is often portrayed as mental attacks, memory loss, insanity, or drowning.

Related terms

"Self-mill" is the informal term of using mill on yourself in order to fill up your own graveyard or dig through your library. Both blue and black get self-mill both as an effect and a cost.[12]

"Grind" is a variation of milling which puts cards from a player's library into their graveyard until a specified number of land cards are put there.

"Deck", as a verb, is used synonymously with mill, but more specifically when a player has the last cards in their library milled or goes to draw from an empty library. One aims to win through decking by milling, but does not necessarily need to mill in order to deck someone.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Mill
To mill a number of cards, a player puts that many cards from the top of their library into their graveyard. See rule 701.13.

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

  • 701.13. Mill
    • 701.13a For a player to mill a number of cards, that player puts that many cards from the top of their library into their graveyard.
    • 701.13b A player can’t mill a number of cards greater than the number of cards in their library. If given the choice to do so, they can’t choose to take that action. If instructed to do so, they mill as many as possible. Similarly, the player can’t pay a cost that includes milling a number of cards greater than the number of cards in their library.
    • 701.13c An effect that refers to a milled card can find that card in the zone it moved to from the library, as long as that zone is a public zone.
    • 701.13d If an ability checks information about a single milled card but more than one card was milled, that ability refers to each of the milled cards. If that ability asks for any information about the milled card, such as a characteristic or mana value, it gets multiple answers. If these answers are used to determine the value of a variable, the sum of the answers is used. If that ability performs any actions on “the” card, it performs that action on each milled card. If that ability performs any actions on “a” card, the controller of the ability chooses which card is affected.

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

  • 104.3c If a player is required to draw more cards than are left in their library, they draw the remaining cards and then lose the game the next time a player would receive priority. (This is a state-based action. See rule 704.)

Rulings

  • If a player is instructed to mill more cards than they have in their library, they put all of the cards in their library into their graveyard. On the other hand, if a player is given a choice to mill more cards than they have in their library, they can't choose to do so.
  • Once a player's library is empty, that player doesn't lose the game until they try to draw a card and can't.

List of mill instants and sorceries

Instants

Sorceries

Creatures which cause mill

Planeswalkers which cause mill

Enchantments

Artifacts which cause mill

Lands which cause mill

Battles which cause mill

Planes which cause mill

Grind

Grind is an unused keyword and informal term for a variation of the milling mechanic which puts cards from a library into the graveyard until a specified number of land cards are put there.[13][14] It was originally designed as the Dimir mechanic for Gatecrash.[15] The mechanic was used without the keyword on several cards.[16]

List of grind spells

Creatures

Equipment

  • Trepanation Blade {3} — Equip {2} - Whenever equipped creature attacks, defending player, reveals a land card; The creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each card revealed.

Sorceries

Psuedo-Grind

Enchantments

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (2020-07-03). "Where are bloodrush and mill each on the storm scale". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (June 29, 2020). "Odds & Ends: Core Set 2021". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mark Rosewater (May 28, 2018). "Hi mark i believe in the past youve mentioned...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Eli Shiffrin (June 20, 2020). "Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Eli Shiffrin (June 23, 2020). "M21 Oracle Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Mark Rosewater (January 11, 2010). "Milling, About". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Tom LaPille (January 15, 2010). "Milled Potpourri". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Michael Yichao (August 19, 2015). "Mill Through the Ages". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. Gavin Verhey (February 16, 2017). "The Miserable Mill". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. Mark Rosewater (March 12, 2022). "Is mill primary blue, secondary black, tertiary green?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  12. Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2021). "Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. Mark Gottlieb (December 31, 2012). "Gatecrash Diaries". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. Mark Rosewater (January 7, 2013). "Gatecrashing the Party, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. Mark Rosewater (March 27, 2016). "Can you share anything about Cipher?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  16. Mark Rosewater (May 23, 2015). "Do you have any trivia on Consuming Aberration?". Blogatog. Tumblr.