Mind Seize Decklist & Guide: Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge Precon

Overview

Mind Seize is a Grixis spellslinger deck with a commander that steals spells. Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge has flying, and when it enters each player exiles the top X cards of their library, where X is the amount of mana spent to cast it. Whenever it attacks, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell from among the cards exiled with it without paying its mana cost. The more mana you spend, the more spells you can steal.

The 99 cards are 21 creatures, 8 artifacts, 7 enchantments, 11 instants, 12 sorceries and 40 lands. The deck has symmetrical card draw that punishes opponents, such as Nekusar, the Mindrazer, Spiteful Visions, Price of Knowledge, Vision Skeins, Prosperity and Skyscribing, and spell copying such as Mirari, Echo Mage, Uyo, Silent Prophet, Nivix Guildmage and Wild Ricochet. Instant and sorcery payoffs include Guttersnipe, Charmbreaker Devils and Arcane Melee.

Key Cards

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Nekusar, the Mindrazer

Group Draw · Damage

A 2/4 for {2}{U}{B}{R}. At the beginning of each player's draw step that player draws an additional card, and whenever an opponent draws a card Nekusar deals 1 damage to that player. It gives everyone cards, but it damages only your opponents.

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Spiteful Visions

Group Draw · Enchantment

An enchantment for {2}{B/R}{B/R}. At the beginning of each player's draw step that player draws an additional card, and whenever a player draws a card it deals 1 damage to that player. It hurts you too, so it works best with lifegain.

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Mirari

Spell Copying · Artifact

An artifact for {5}. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may pay {3} to copy it. Every big spell can be cast twice.

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Thraximundar

Edict · Big Body

A 6/6 for {4}{U}{B}{R}. It has haste, whenever it attacks defending player sacrifices a creature of their choice, and whenever a player sacrifices a creature it may get a +1/+1 counter. It is a 6/6 that eats creatures every turn.

Playing the Deck

The early game is about mana and card flow. Sol Ring, Obelisk of Grixis, Armillary Sphere, Wayfarer's Bauble and Nightscape Familiar ramp you or lower costs, and Augur of Bolas, Baleful Strix and Strategic Planning find the right cards. Fog Bank and Guard Gomazoa hold the ground.

The middle of the game is about drawing and burning. Nekusar, the Mindrazer and Spiteful Visions punish opponents for drawing, Temple Bell and Vision Skeins draw extra cards, Guttersnipe and Charmbreaker Devils turn spells into damage, and True-Name Nemesis has protection from the player you choose. Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge attacks for free spells.

The late game is about huge spells and board control. Cruel Ultimatum swings a game, Baleful Force draws a lot of cards, Thraximundar eats creatures, Starstorm, Molten Disaster and Decree of Pain clear the board, and Army of the Damned makes a huge army. Incendiary Command and Opportunity give flexibility.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths: The deck has a lot of card advantage and spells that punish opponents for drawing cards, and it can copy its best spells. It also has plenty of interaction, including Dismiss, Annihilate, Grixis Charm, Crosis's Charm, Soul Manipulation and Illusionist's Gambit.

Weaknesses: Symmetrical effects help opponents too, so the deck can accidentally feed a strong opponent, and several enchantments, such as Spiteful Visions, damage you. It is three colours with many gold cards, and it has only 21 creatures.

Want to improve it? See the Mind Seize upgrade guide: nine swaps with the data behind each one.

Verdict

Mind Seize is a flashy spellslinger deck with a mean streak. It is a good choice for players who like to draw lots of cards, copy spells and watch the table take damage.

Want to see what a fully optimised Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge build looks like? Try the Oracle.

✦ Build with The Oracle

Frequently Asked Questions

What cards are in the Mind Seize decklist?
The Mind Seize precon is a 100-card Commander deck led by Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge. The full Mind Seize decklist, with every card, current prices and a button to copy the list into your deck builder, is on this page.

When was Mind Seize released?
Mind Seize was released on November 1, 2013 as part of Commander 2013.

Who is the commander of Mind Seize?
Mind Seize is led by Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge, a Grixis (U/B/R) legendary creature.

How many creatures are in Mind Seize?
The 99 cards besides Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge include 21 creatures.

How many lands does Mind Seize have?
Mind Seize has 40 lands in the 99 cards besides Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge, including basic lands.

Full Decklist

All 100 cards from the out-of-the-box Mind Seize precon, with current prices. Click any card to expand it.

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Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge (commander), Akoum Refuge, Bojuka Bog, Command Tower, Crumbling Necropolis, Dimir Guildgate, Evolving Wilds, Grixis Panorama, 9 Island, Izzet Boilerworks, Izzet Guildgate, Molten Slagheap, 5 Mountain, Opal Palace, Rakdos Carnarium, Rakdos Guildgate, Rupture Spire, 8 Swamp, Temple of the False God, Urza's Factory, Vivid Creek, Vivid Marsh, Army of the Damned, Cruel Ultimatum, Decree of Pain, Fissure Vent, Incendiary Command, Infest, Molten Disaster, Phthisis, Prosperity, Skyscribing, Strategic Planning, Tempt with Reflections, Armillary Sphere, Eye of Doom, Mirari, Obelisk of Grixis, Sol Ring, Swiftfoot Boots, Temple Bell, Wayfarer's Bauble, Annihilate, Crosis's Charm, Dismiss, Grixis Charm, Illusionist's Gambit, Opportunity, Soul Manipulation, Starstorm, Sudden Spoiling, Vision Skeins, Wild Ricochet, Augur of Bolas, Baleful Force, Baleful Strix, Charmbreaker Devils, Diviner Spirit, Echo Mage, Fog Bank, Guard Gomazoa, Guttersnipe, Hooded Horror, Jace's Archivist, Mnemonic Wall, Nekusar, the Mindrazer, Nightscape Familiar, Nivix Guildmage, Terra Ravager, Thraximundar, True-Name Nemesis, Uyo, Silent Prophet, Vampire Nighthawk, Viseling, Arcane Melee, Curse of Chaos, Curse of Inertia, Curse of Shallow Graves, Price of Knowledge, Propaganda, Spiteful Visions.