The Mesmeric Orb is a rare artifact from Magic: The Gathering's 2003 Mirrodin set. This card disrupts opponent strategies by forcing a card mill whenever a permanent untaps.
2003 • Magic: The Gathering • Mirrodin
No listings available right now.
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$17.52 | Guide Estimate | -1.6% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 4, 2026
The Mesmeric Orb, numbered 204 in the Mirrodin set, is a pivotal artifact from Magic: The Gathering's 2003 expansion. Designed by David Martin, this rare card introduces a unique disruption mechanic that challenges opponents to manage their resources carefully. As an artifact with a mana cost of two, it offers a strategic advantage without requiring a significant investment of mana, making it a versatile inclusion for various deck archetypes. The card's primary ability triggers whenever any permanent becomes untapped, causing the controller of that permanent to mill a card. This effect can be devastating in control or mill-focused strategies, as it forces opponents to sacrifice cards from their library to maintain their board presence. The flavor text, "A step in one direction is two steps away from another," hints at the card's ability to shift the momentum of the game subtly yet effectively. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering often seek out cards from the Mirrodin set due to its innovative mechanics and thematic consistency. The Mesmeric Orb stands out as a key piece for those interested in artifact-centric decks or disruption strategies. Its rarity and strategic depth make it a valuable addition to any collection. Whether you are building a competitive deck or simply expanding your collection, the Mesmeric Orb offers a compelling blend of strategy and collectibility.
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Mesmeric Orb
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
David Martin
Card Stock
English
{2}
Artifact
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Whenever a permanent becomes untapped, that permanent's controller mills a card.
A step in one direction is two steps away from another.
FAQ
The Mesmeric Orb forces the controller of any untapped permanent to mill a card. This means they must put the top card of their library into their graveyard whenever a permanent they control untaps.
It is strategic because it disrupts opponents' resources by forcing them to mill cards. This can deplete their library faster, potentially leading to a loss if they run out of cards.
The Mesmeric Orb card was illustrated by David Martin for the 2003 Mirrodin expansion.
Explore cards with this name across sets and editions. Check each card’s details before choosing a version.
Tap an image to preview it, or a card’s name to open its page.
