Discerning Taste MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 82
2021-08-26 - Number 317
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Look at the top four cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest into your graveyard. You gain life equal to the greatest power among creature cards put into your graveyard this way.
"Everyone loves a dash of crushed pixie . . . except the pixie."
Cards like Discerning Taste
Discerning Taste is a unique card in the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering, inviting players to explore the top four cards of their library, then put one of those cards into their hand and the rest into the graveyard, tweaking the card advantage dynamics. It has some semblance to the card Impulse, which allows a player to look at the top four cards, choose one, and shuffle the rest back into the library – a less risky choice since cards aren’t discarded.
Seeking Insight is another card that shares a connection with Discerning Taste but requires a more strategic approach. This spell digs only two cards deep but has the added benefit of repeatability through its Rebound ability. Traumatize stands out as a more extreme comparison to Discerning Taste, milling half the player’s library directly into their graveyard, radically altering the scope and impact on a player’s gameplan.
Each card has its own place within the strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering. While Discerning Taste allows for immediate selection and graveyard setup, other options like Impulse offer a different form of gameplay versatility without the graveyard interaction, creating a delicate balance depending on a deck’s overarching strategy.
Cards similar to Discerning Taste by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Discerning Taste. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Reanimator | Pauper | Monthly Tournament #33 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Discerning Taste bolsters your hand by letting you sift through the top four cards of your library, giving you the means to strategically select the card that best suits the situation at hand.
Resource Acceleration: Beyond card selection, Discerning Taste also functions as a surrogate for resource acceleration by potentially filling your graveyard with cards that synergize with other graveyard-focused mechanics or strategies.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Discerning Taste permits you to optimize your mana utilization by casting it at the most opportune moment, often at the end of your opponent’s turn to ensure your defenses remain fortified.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Discerning Taste, you’re required to discard a card to gain its benefits. This could create a strategic disadvantage, especially if your hand is already depleted or if each card you hold is pivotal to your game plan. Optimizing such a cost demands a well-thought-out strategy and, ideally, a deck that capitalizes on discard mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: Discerning Taste comes with a specific mana requirement that can limit its inclusion only to decks that run black mana. This specificity can restrict deck diversity and make it a less flexible pick for players who prefer a more varied mana base or those who run multicolor decks without a strong black mana presence.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost attached to activating Discerning Taste’s ability can be considered high when weighed against similar cards. For the mana investment, players might expect a more immediate or powerful effect, leading them to consider alternative cards that offer greater efficiency or more impactful outcomes for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Discerning Taste offers a unique filtering mechanism that is adaptable across various deck archetypes. It allows players to sift through their deck for the right pieces, optimizing the gameplay experience in control or combo-driven decks.
Combo Potential: Focused around life totals, Discerning Taste can pave the way for cards that thrive on life changes, harnessing its ability to set the stage for impactful plays and synergistic combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where information is power, Discerning Taste’s insight into upcoming draws has the potential to shape decisions crucial to overcoming prevalent strategies. It’s a sly way to stay one step ahead in a dynamic MTG environment.
How to beat
Discerning Taste is an intriguing sorcery card that digs through a player’s library for vital components and indirectly manipulates their graveyard in MTG. Understanding its utility is key to turning the tables on this meticulous strategy. To navigate against Discerning Taste, denying your opponent the opportunity to capitalize on their selected cards becomes your main tactic.
Graveyard manipulation may serve as the cornerstone of your adversary’s strategy when playing Discerning Taste. In this scenario, employing graveyard hate cards can dismantle their game plan. Tormod’s Crypt, a zero-cost artifact, can purge their graveyard in response to Discerning Taste’s resolution, rendering their careful selection meaningless. Alternatively, Scavenging Ooze offers not only the ability to selectively exile cards from graveyards but also serves as a growing creature threat.
Finally, countermagic or hand disruption can disrupt the card’s efficacy before it even takes effect. A well-timed Thoughtseize can remove Discerning Taste from your opponent’s hand, while Dovin’s Veto can counter it without fear of it being countered back. By anticipating and nullifying the card’s impact, you can maintain control of the match’s tempo and secure your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Discerning Taste MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Discerning Taste 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
Printings
The Discerning Taste Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 82 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 317 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Miller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Discerning Taste has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |