Chain to Memory MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2020-01-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros Beyond Death |
| Set code | THB |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paul Scott Canavan |
Text of card
Target creature gets -4/-0 until end of turn. Scry 2.
Those who do not learn from their mistakes are bound to relive them.
Cards like Chain to Memory
Chain to Memory occupies a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering as a blue instant that challenges both the board and the library. Drawing parallels, we have cards like Unsummon and Vapor Snag that also deal with creatures but in a different way by returning them to the owner’s hand. While these cards don’t interact with the library, they offer more immediate and potentially disruptive solutions to creature threats.
Another akin card is Brainstorm, often celebrated for its library manipulation prowess. Although Brainstorm doesn’t deal with creatures, it shares the concept of looking at and rearranging cards in your library, which can be a tactical advantage. However, Chain to Memory adds the drama of possibly turning a foe’s strength into their weakness by shrinking an enlarged creature and scrying, which provides valuable foresight in your strategy.
Overall, Chain to Memory can be a sleeper hit in decks that seek to outsmart opponents with subtle tricks. Whereas other cards offer direct creature removal or card draw, Chain to Memory combines minor creature influence with the strategic benefit of scrying, a combo that can pave the way to victory in MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chain to Memory can be a potent tool in your arsenal when you’re aiming to stay ahead in the race for card utility. By targeting a creature that has just grown through a boost or ability, this spell not only neutralizes the immediate threat but also refills your hand with the promise of strategic plays in future turns.
Resource Acceleration: Although Chain to Memory doesn’t directly generate resources like some ramp spells, it acts as a form of indirect acceleration. By bouncing a creature back to its owner’s library, you effectively delay your opponent’s plans, giving you the precious time you may need to deploy your resources more efficiently and take the lead in the game.
Instant Speed: The real power of Chain to Memory lies in its timing. Operating at instant speed gives you the versatility to adapt to the evolving game state, respond to threats immediately, and make pivotal decisions at the most opportune moments, all without having to sacrifice the initiative on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Chain to Memory involves discarding a card, which could be detrimental when your hand is already depleted or when every card is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a particular blue mana for casting, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks needing flexibility in their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana required to cast Chain to Memory might be seen as excessive compared to other instant spells in MTG that deliver faster or more impactful effects for a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chain to Memory can be a valuable addition to decks that aim to manipulate drawing or library ordering. Its capacity to quickly scry and disrupt an opponent’s creature stats makes it applicable across various strategic plays.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with mechanics that benefit from scry and instant-speed interaction. It enables players to set up their decks for future plays while potentially hindering an opponent’s threats during combat or in response to creature buffs.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Chain to Memory offers a strategic edge by undermining key creatures. Its low mana cost and instant speed allow for easy incorporation into decks looking to maintain tempo and control over the board.
How to Beat Chain to Memory
Chain to Memory is a unique instant from Magic: The Gathering that targets players and creatures to weave a potentially complex play. It may not be the most straightforward card to counter, but with the right strategy, its impact can be minimized. Blocking the effects of Chain to Memory involves a nuanced approach to both deck building and in-game tactics.
Understanding the card’s mechanics is key. It targets a player who then scrys two—a powerful ability that can set up their next moves. However, if that player targets a creature at the same time, that creature’s power determines the number of cards drawn. This means that allowing low-power creatures to be the focus can reduce the card advantage gained.
If facing Chain to Memory, consider deploying creatures with hexproof to shield against targeting, or use countermagic to disrupt the combo directly. Additionally, graveyard manipulation cards can remove key creatures from the game to avoid the draw or decrease its efficiency. Ultimately, staying anticipative and adaptable contributes to outmaneuvering opponents wielding this spell. It’s about predicting plays and countering effectively to break the chain before it can lock in its full potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chain to Memory MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Chain to Memory 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chain to Memory has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chain to Memory card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Chain to Memory tries to resolve, the spell won’t resolve. You won’t scry 2. |