Interpret the Signs MTG Card


Provides potential massive card advantage by drawing cards equal to the top card’s mana cost. Demands specific mana types, with a high cost that can be prohibitive in fast-paced games. Worth collecting for its versatility in control and combo decks, and meta-relevant card draw power.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Scry

Text of card

Scry 3, then reveal the top card of your library. Draw cards equal to that card's converted mana cost. (To scry 3, look at the top three cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)


Cards like Interpret the Signs

Interpret the Signs stands out in the roster of scrying and card advantage spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its lineage traces back to classic card drawing spells such as Concentrate, which similarly allows a player to draw multiple cards at once. Interpret the Signs, however, introduces a unique dynamic by incorporating scrying to set up a potentially massive card draw based on the converted mana cost of the revealed card. This offers a more strategic depth compared to Concentrate’s straightforward card draw.

Foresee is another card that dances into the realm of scry and draw, allowing the controller to scry four before drawing two cards. This serves a more consistent outcome albeit with less explosive potential compared to Interpret the Signs which is highly situational and can draw an enormous amount of cards with the right setup. Then there’s Tidings, a spell that enables drawing four cards for a heftier five mana without any preliminary setup, delivering immediate card advantage.

Upon examining these comparable options, Interpret the Signs may require a more tailored deck design to maximize its effect but it certainly brings excitement to the table and the potential for a staggering payoff in card draw scenarios within Magic: The Gathering.

Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Foresee - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Foresee - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Interpret the Signs by color, type and mana cost

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Amnesia - MTG Card versions
Cultural Exchange - MTG Card versions
Echo of Eons - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Epiphany - MTG Card versions
Mind's Desire - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Tides - MTG Card versions
Cut Your Losses - MTG Card versions
Time Spiral - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Refrain - MTG Card versions
Flow of Ideas - MTG Card versions
Tunnel Vision - MTG Card versions
Govern the Guildless - MTG Card versions
Reality Strobe - MTG Card versions
Mass Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Mindculling - MTG Card versions
Stolen Identity - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Interpret the Signs is a powerful draw spell that can potentially provide a significant boost in card advantage. When played, it allows you to delve into the top card of your library and draw cards equal to that card’s mana cost, refilling your hand and giving you more options to respond to the game’s state.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the burst in card draw from Interpret the Signs can indirectly accelerate your resources. By drawing into additional land or mana-producing cards, you set yourself up for future plays that can outpace the opposition.

Instant Speed: This sorcery does not have instant speed, but the vast amount of card draw it provides can often set you up with a range of instant-speed responses for your next turns, thus maintaining the element of surprise and readiness that instant-speed spells confer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Interpret the Signs necessitates discarding a card when playing, which can leave you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already depleted or if you’re preserving key cards for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires a specific mix of mana, including blue, which can be restrictive, making it a less flexible option for decks not heavily invested in blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that involves six mana, including three blue, Interpret the Signs has a steep casting cost. Considering the fast pace of many games, by the time you have the mana to cast it, it could be too late to impact the game significantly.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Interpret the Signs boasts a unique flexibility, seamlessly integrating into control or combo decks. The ability to scry, then draw a number of cards equal to the revealed card’s mana value, offers a dynamic draw engine that can suit multiple game plans.

Combo Potential: This card excels by potentially drawing a massive number of cards in one fell swoop. It is excellent for decks built around high mana value spells, as it could turn into a game-changing draw spell. Moreover, it can synergize with cards that benefit from instant-speed draws or high spell counts in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where card advantage is crucial, Interpret the Signs stands out. It can shine in environments filled with slower, grindier matches by offering a formidable surge in resources that could overwhelm opponents not equipped to handle vast amounts of card draw.


How to beat

Interpret the Signs sits in a unique position within the pantheon of blue card draw spells in MTG. As a sphinx’s revelation, it could spiral into a significant card advantage by revealing a high mana cost card from the top of your deck. A well-timed Counterspell can efficiently handle this spell before it grasps the potential to overpower you with a wave of new cards and tactical insights.

Discard effects are another avenue to disrupt an Interpret the Signs play. If your opponent’s hand is forced to shrink before they orchestrate their grand reveal, the spell might be demoted to just going through the motions, without the payoff. Hand attack cards such as Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively strip this threatening card from your opponent’s grasp before they get a chance to cast it.

Finally, pressure is key. By maintaining aggressive board presence, you can force your opponent to address your threats rather than invest their mana and turn into drawing cards. Keep them on the back foot, and an expensive card like Interpret the Signs could become a dead draw, stuck in hand while they fend off your advances.


BurnMana Recommendations

Interpret the Signs serves as a beacon for those who navigate the deep seas of Magic the Gathering, searching for strategic depth and a revelation in card advantage. While its demanding mana requirement and discard effect stand as tall waves to overcome, its potential to rally an armada of options into your hand is undeniable. We pave the way towards optimizing your deck with gems like Interpret the Signs and invite you on a voyage to unlock its full potential. Unearth the synergies, adapt to the meta, and command the tide of battle. Ready to harness the power of scrying and turn the tides in your favor? Set sail with us, and discover how to make the most of this spellbinding card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Interpret the Signs MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Commander Legends, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Interpret the Signs and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Interpret the Signs Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Cynthia Sheppard.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-05-02Journey into NyxJOU 432003NormalBlackCynthia Sheppard
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 752015NormalBlackCynthia Sheppard
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3092015NormalBlackCynthia Sheppard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Interpret the Signs has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Interpret the Signs card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-11-10 If a card in a player's library has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2020-11-10 If you reveal a card with mana value 0, such as a land card, you won't draw any cards. Otherwise, the card you revealed will be the first card you draw.