Mesmeric Orb — Magic: The Gathering card

Mesmeric Orb

{2}
Artifact

Whenever a permanent becomes untapped, that permanent's controller mills a card.

*A step in one direction is two steps away from another.*

Set Double Masters
Rarity Rare
Mana Value 2
Artist David Martin
Collector # 272
Scryfall

Why Play Mesmeric Orb

Mill strategies appreciate the symmetric but exploitable effect, especially when paired with ways to minimize your own untapping or benefit from cards in your graveyard. The artifact shines in decks that can break parity through graveyard recursion, flashback spells, or creatures that benefit from being milled. Play it early to maximize value over multiple turns, as each opponent's untap step becomes a significant mill engine that accelerates toward their defeat.

Format Notes

Commander represents the strongest home for Mesmeric Orb due to multiplayer games creating multiple untap steps per turn cycle, dramatically increasing mill output. The card sees occasional fringe play in Legacy mill decks and has historical significance in Modern, though it's less common in competitive constructed formats. Its $24+ price reflects strong casual demand and its status as a powerful multiplayer engine rather than tournament dominance.

Combos & Synergies

Basalt Monolith creates an infinite mill combo by repeatedly untapping itself for colorless mana while milling all opponents simultaneously. Psychic Corrosion amplifies the mill strategy by dealing damage whenever opponents mill cards, creating multiple win conditions. Gaea's Blessing and other shuffle effects can protect you from decking yourself while maintaining pressure on opponents, making the symmetric effect heavily favor your gameplan.

Learn More

Artifact Modern Commander Legacy