Careful Consideration MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 52
2013-06-07 - Number 37
2021-03-19 - Number 56
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target player draws four cards, then discards three cards. If you played this spell during your main phase, instead that player draws four cards, then discards two cards.
"Sages who take the time to verify their sources are rewarded for their diligence." —Jhoira, to Teferi
Cards like Careful Consideration
Careful Consideration offers Magic: The Gathering players a chance to delve deep into their libraries, aligning itself with the likes of the well-known Tidings. Both cards enable a significant draw of four cards, bolstering hand options. However, Careful Consideration adds a strategic twist; it allows you to choose and discard specific cards, granting greater control over your hand at the expense of discarding three cards during your turn or only one on your opponent’s turn.
Comparatively, Jace’s Ingenuity is another peer in this draw category, straightforwardly delivering three cards to your hand without the additional discard phase, albeit at a higher mana cost and delivering one less card. Compulsion, while providing a continuous effect rather than a one-off draw, serves a similar function, enabling card filtering for strategic play but lacking the raw card advantage that Careful Consideration provides.
Assessing these alternatives, Careful Consideration presents itself as a versatile choice. It offers a balance between card advantage and strategic filtering, enabling savvy players to tailor their hand according to the game’s exigencies, an aspect that can be pivotal for maintaining an edge in a match.
Cards similar to Careful Consideration by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Careful Consideration offers a significant edge through its ability to let you draw four cards. In the strategic gameplay of Magic the Gathering, having more cards to pick from often means more routes to victory. This card shines in scenarios where replenishing your hand can keep the pressure on your opponent or provide the answers you need for their threats.
Resource Acceleration: Although Careful Consideration doesn’t directly produce additional mana or tokens, the sheer number of cards drawn increases the likelihood of hitting land drops or drawing into ramp spells. This boost in resources can facilitate more commanding plays in the subsequent turns and speed up the execution of your game plan.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Careful Consideration is further amplified by its nature as an instant. This characteristic permits players to keep mana untapped for counterplays during the opponent’s turn. Should the situation call for it, you can end their turn with a more robust hand, ready to tackle the unfolding game with a refreshed set of options.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Careful Consideration requires players to discard cards, which could potentially deplete valuable resources from their hand. This can be detrimental in game situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: With both blue mana and generic mana required, this card necessitates a commitment to blue mana sources, potentially restricting it to primarily blue or two-color decks that can accommodate this mana composition.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a four-mana value, Careful Consideration competes with other spells and effects in the same mana range. This can make it challenging to choose this card over others with potentially lower costs and comparable, if not superior, effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Careful Consideration offers flexibility in control decks, allowing players to adjust their game plans based on the situation. It can be a powerful tool whether you need to find answers or simply want to dig deeper into your library.
Combo Potential: Not only does this card allow you to see more of your deck, but it also fills your graveyard, setting the stage for potential synergies with reanimation tactics or enabling threshold and delve abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where the meta is constantly shifting and control strategies are prevalent, Careful Consideration remains a relevant addition. It keeps your hand refreshed and provides an edge against decks that aim to grind out a win over several turns.
How to beat Careful Consideration
Facing off against Careful Consideration can present a mix of challenges and opportunities in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This particular card allows players to draw an impressive number of cards, setting them up for future turns. However, to navigate successfully past its advantages involves tactical plays and strategic deck building. Including instant-speed disruption that can be played in response to the card draw, such as counterspells or hand disruption effects, can inhibit its impact.
Moreover, capitalizing on the discard aspect of Careful Consideration is also a viable strategy. Cards that benefit from your opponent discarding or cards in graveyards, like reanimation spells or abilities, can turn the tide in your favor. It’s important to remember that Careful Consideration can be cast during your opponent’s end step, minimizing the downside of discarding cards. Therefore, keeping pressure on their hand size and graveyard before it’s cast can reduce its effectiveness.
Ultimately, countering Careful Consideration itself or mitigating its advantages in subsequent turns can alleviate the pressure it puts on the game. Attentiveness to timing and board state, coupled with a keen understanding of your opponent’s potential actions, are key in coming out ahead against Careful Consideration.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Careful Consideration MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Modern Masters, 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 Careful Consideration and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Careful Consideration Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Janine Johnston.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 52 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston | |
| 3 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Janine Johnston |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Careful Consideration has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Careful Consideration card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | If a spell or ability copies Careful Consideration, the target player discards three cards for the copy after drawing four cards. This is because the copy wasn’t cast at all. |