Introduction
The world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a strategic battlefield where every decision matters. From the initial deck construction to the final, decisive play, the ability to anticipate and manipulate the cards you draw can be the difference between victory and defeat. At the heart of this crucial element lies a mechanic so fundamental, yet so powerful, that it has become a staple in countless decks across formats: scry.
This guide will delve deep into the intricacies of scry, revealing why it’s considered one of the most valuable and versatile mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. We’ll explore its strategic advantages, its impact across various formats, highlight some of the best cards featuring this ability, and provide tips to master this skill and boost your win rate.
What is Scry? (The Basics)
Scry, in its simplest definition, allows you to “Look at the top X cards of your library, put any number of them on the bottom of your library in any order, and then put the rest on top of your library in any order.” The beauty of this mechanic lies in its deceptively simple wording, which contains layers of strategic depth.
Breaking Down the Definition
Let’s break down the key aspects:
- “Look at”: This grants you precious information about your immediate future. Knowing what cards are coming allows you to plan your turns more effectively, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and adjust your strategy on the fly. This foresight is invaluable in a game where information is power.
- “Any number”: The flexibility to put any number of the revealed cards on the bottom of your library is crucial. You can send one card you don’t need at the moment, or all of them if they are all bad. This provides control over the quality of your future draws.
- “In any order”: This allows you to fine-tune your topdeck. Need a land on your next turn? Place it on top. Need a specific answer to your opponent’s threat? Arrange the cards to ensure you draw it when you need it most.
A classic example of a card with scry is Preordain. For a single blue mana, you get to scry two, effectively smoothing out your draws and increasing your chances of finding the cards you need early in the game. Similarly, Serum Visions, another powerful blue card, allows you to scry two and then draw a card. Scry is also often associated with the color blue as its forte.
It is important to note that, per the rules of Magic, players are allowed to reveal the cards that they scry to other players, assuming they do not conflict with other in-game rules. This means that the ability is not entirely in secret.
The Strategic Advantages of Scry
Scry’s value stems from its ability to provide several key strategic advantages:
Improving Draw Quality
This is the most obvious and fundamental benefit of scry. It allows you to filter out unwanted cards, such as lands in the late game when you need spells, or spells early on when you need to establish your mana base. Scry also enables you to dig for specific answers, such as removal spells to deal with threats, powerful threats to apply pressure, or combo pieces to assemble your winning strategy. Ultimately, scry increases the consistency of your deck, making it more likely to draw the cards you need at the right time.
Gaining Card Advantage (Indirectly)
While scry doesn’t directly put cards into your hand, it provides card advantage by improving the quality of your draws. By setting up future draws to maximize impact and avoiding “dead draws” that waste resources, you effectively gain an advantage over your opponent. Making more informed decisions based on knowledge of future draws also contributes to this advantage.
Synergy with Other Mechanics
The power of scry is amplified when combined with other mechanics. For instance, scrying cards to the bottom of your library can synergize with graveyard strategies, filling your graveyard with cards you can later reanimate or use for other effects. There are also cards that specifically benefit from you knowing the top card of your library. Scry also has a natural synergy with the Surveil mechanic, which is another keyword that synergizes well with knowing the top of your library.
Bluffing & Information Warfare
Scry can be a powerful tool for misleading opponents. By strategically manipulating the cards you scry, you can create the illusion of having a specific card in your hand or pursuing a certain strategy. This can influence your opponent’s decisions and open up opportunities for you to exploit. In addition, simply observing how your opponent manipulates their top cards can give you valuable insight into what they need and what they’re planning.
Scry in Different Formats
The impact of scry varies across different Magic: The Gathering formats:
Constructed (Standard, Modern, Legacy, Pioneer, etc.)
In constructed formats, where decks are highly refined and optimized, scry plays a crucial role in ensuring consistency and efficiency. For example, in a control deck, scry can help you find the necessary removal spells to keep the board clear and the counterspells to protect your win conditions. In an aggro deck, it can help you find the creatures needed to apply early pressure and the burn spells to finish off your opponent. Some formats, such as Modern, even have powerful Scry lands that allow mana fixing in addition to a scry trigger.
Limited (Draft, Sealed)
In limited formats, where you’re building a deck from a limited pool of cards, consistency is even more important. Scry cards become invaluable for mitigating mana screw or flood and for finding the key cards in your deck. Identifying valuable scry cards in specific limited environments is crucial for success. For example, a common card in a particular set might be a creature with a scry ability when it enters the battlefield, making it a highly sought-after pick in draft.
Commander (EDH)
In Commander, a multiplayer format with one hundred card decks, scry becomes an essential tool for finding combo pieces and key cards in your vast deck. It synergizes well with commanders that benefit from top-of-library manipulation, allowing you to set up powerful plays and control the game.
Top Scry Cards Throughout Magic’s History
Throughout Magic’s history, several scry cards have stood out as particularly powerful and influential:
Classic Scry Cards
Preordain and Serum Visions are two of the most iconic scry cards, known for their efficiency and versatility. Brainstorm, although not strictly a scry card, offers a similar effect by allowing you to draw three cards and then put two back on top of your library.
Stronger Modern Options
Opt is a modern staple, offering instant-speed scry and a draw for just one blue mana. Ponder is a blue sorcery that allows the user to look at the top three cards of their library, put them back in any order, shuffle, and draw a card.
Budget-Friendly Scry Cards
For newer players or those on a budget, there are many affordable scry options available. Temple lands, which enter the battlefield tapped and allow you to scry one, are excellent choices for mana fixing and card selection.
Niche/Synergistic Scry Cards
Some cards combine scry with other effects, such as Magmatic Insight, which allows you to discard a land to draw two cards and scry one.
Common Mistakes When Using Scry
Despite its simplicity, scry is a mechanic that can be easily misused. Some common mistakes include:
- Rushing the decision: It’s crucial to take your time and carefully consider your options before deciding which cards to keep and which to send to the bottom of your library.
- Not considering future turns: Think ahead and anticipate what cards you’ll need in the coming turns.
- Ignoring mana curve considerations: Ensure that you have a balanced mana curve by keeping lands when you need them and discarding them when you don’t.
- Underestimating the value of a single land: Sometimes, even in the late game, having access to an extra land can be crucial for casting a key spell.
Tips & Tricks for Mastering Scry
To truly master scry, consider the following tips and tricks:
- Practice and learn your deck’s contents.
- Pay attention to your opponent’s deck and strategy.
- Think several turns ahead.
- Use scry in combination with other card selection effects.
- Consider your mana situation.
- Don’t be afraid to keep lands if you’re mana screwed.
The Future of Scry
As Magic: The Gathering continues to evolve, the scry mechanic is likely to remain a staple of the game. Future sets may introduce new scry cards with unique twists and synergies, further expanding the strategic possibilities of this powerful mechanic.
The lasting impact of scry on Magic: The Gathering is undeniable. It has shaped countless decks, influenced countless games, and continues to be a fundamental element of the game’s strategic depth.
Conclusion
Scry is more than just a card selection mechanic; it’s a powerful tool that can significantly improve your win rate in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding its strategic advantages, mastering its nuances, and incorporating it into your gameplay, you can unlock a new level of consistency and control in your decks. Embrace the power of scry and elevate your Magic: The Gathering game to new heights.
