Contingency Plan MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 52
2019-11-07 - Number 330
2020-09-26 - Number EMN-52
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Surveil |
Text of card
Look at the top five cards of your library. Put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest back on top of your library in any order.
"Improvisation is for those who failed to prepare." —Jace Beleren
Cards like Contingency Plan
Contingency Plan stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a deft tool for sculpting the perfect draw. A close relative to this spell is Taigam’s Scheming, which also allows the player to look at the top five cards of their library and then manipulate their fate by sending any number of them to the graveyard. However, unlike Contingency Plan, Taigam’s Scheming lacks the potential synergy with cards that benefit from graveyard strategies.
Index is another similar card that provides the foresight of peeking at the top five cards. Both Contingency Plan and Index allow for a rearrangement of cards to optimize future draws, yet neither offers direct card draw or discarding effects. Strategic Planning, on the contrary, goes a step further by enabling the player to not only peer into the top three cards but also to draw one, and thereby gain instant card advantage while still fueling graveyard-based strategies.
When it comes down to preparing for upcoming threats or setting up powerful combos, Contingency Plan provides players with a precision tool for deck manipulation. While other cards offer glimpses of the future or immediate card advantage, this spell’s ability to tailor both the library and the graveyard simultaneously can be the linchpin in a well-orchestrated game plan.
Cards similar to Contingency Plan by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Contingency Plan. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sultai Combo | Pioneer | HBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Contingency Plan, you’re able to rearrange the top five cards of your library, which significantly improves your draw consistency. It effectively sifts through your deck, ensuring that your upcoming draws are more impactful and relevant to the current state of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it does streamline your deck by placing unneeded cards in your graveyard. This setup can be a subtle form of acceleration, particularly in strategies that capitalize on graveyard resources or delve into synergies with cards like threshold and flashbacks.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Contingency Plan sets up your draws at a crucial time—your turn, allowing you to prepare for the rounds ahead without interruption. It’s the perfect setup for ensuring that each turn maximizes your potential plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Contingency Plan is its set-up nature that doesn’t immediately impact the board. Players need to be aware that using it requires the discard of potentially useful cards which could be detrimental if you’re in need of resources or if the game is nearing its latter stages.
Specific Mana Cost: Contingency Plan comes with a specific mana requirement which can be restrictive. It costs one blue mana to play, making it an exclusive choice for blue decks or those that can accommodate blue mana, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana might not seem steep, in the competitive landscape of MTG, efficiency is key. There are other cards in the game that might provide similar or better effects for the same or less mana, making Contingency Plan a less appealing option when deck building, especially when considering strategies that aim for quick plays and fast tempo.
Reasons to Include Contingency Plan in Your Collection
Versatility: Contingency Plan shines in its ability to adapt to a variety of deck types. Its function as a library organizer allows players to tailor their draws to their current strategy, making it a utility card that can seldom go to waste.
Combo Potential: For those who enjoy intricately woven gameplay, Contingency Plan offers the perfect setup for powerful combos by filtering the top cards of your library, thus fueling graveyard strategies or enabling the perfect draw.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where card knowledge and prediction can turn the tides, Contingency Plan holds its relevance. With a meta that cycles through different phases, this card can become indispensable in decks that aim to outpace and outsmart opponents through superior deck manipulation.
How to beat
Contingency Plan plays a unique role in the vast library of MTG cards, allowing players to manipulate the top five cards of their library and strategize future plays. Similar in purpose to cards like Ponder or Preordain, Contingency Plan permits scrying but without the immediate card draw these others offer. Instead, Contingency Plan provides a deeper look into your deck, which sets up graveyard strategies effectively.
Defeating a deck that utilizes Contingency Plan requires an understanding of its strategy. Disruption is key. Cards like Thoughtseize or Duress allow you to remove key components that your opponent needs to conduct their strategy effectively. Moreover, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can invalidate the setup that Contingency Plan provides as these can remove the strategized cards from the game completely.
Ultimately, to beat an opponent wielding Contingency Plan, one must anticipate the long game they are playing for. Quick aggression to pressure them before they can fully utilize their setup or well-placed counterspells to disrupt their line of play can turn the tables in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Contingency Plan MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Mystery Booster, 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 Contingency Plan 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 Contingency Plan Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 330 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | EMN-52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Yee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Contingency Plan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |