Distant Melody MTG Card


Distant Melody’s strength lies in card advantage, turning potential stalemates into wins. It snowballs resources, especially in decks with low-cost creatures or mana generation. While sorcery-speed, Distant Melody requires strategic timing to maximize impact.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Choose a creature type. Draw a card for each permanent you control of that type.

Oona's song is like a twisted dinner chime. All the faeries return home, but it is Oona who feasts—on the stolen dreams and rumors they serve her.


Cards like Distant Melody

Distant Melody joins the ranks of potent card draw spells tailored for tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering. It shares thematic similarities with cards like Kindred Discovery, which also enables players to draw a card for each creature they control of a chosen type. Yet, Distant Melody is distinctive due to its single-casting cost and the potential to refill a player’s hand based on their board’s tribal synergy.

In the realm of tribal card advantage, Shared Animosity provides another parallel, though its purpose is to boost creature strength rather than replenishing the hand. Cards like Shared Animosity accentuate a tribal deck’s aggressive strategies, while Distant Melody supports the card advantage angle, crucial for maintaining momentum in longer games. Then there’s the classic card draw spell, Concentrate, which offers a fixed number of cards at four, independent of the board state, unlike the variable and sometimes explosive draw provided by Distant Melody.

Ultimately, for players who capitalize on the creature types within their deck, Distant Melody stands out as a refined choice, strategically blending well with the inherent mechanics of tribal-focused strategies, and asserting its value in Magic: The Gathering’s comprehensive list of card draw spells.

Kindred Discovery - MTG Card versions
Shared Animosity - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Kindred Discovery - MTG Card versions
Shared Animosity - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Distant Melody. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
ElvesElves PauperElvesPauper Qualifier 2024-03-02
URGURG PauperPauper Showcase Challenge 2024-04-20
Four-color ElvesFour-color Elves PauperElvesLiga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 2
Simic ElvesSimic Elves PauperElvesOgonyok
URUR PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-03-23
Mono-Blue MillMono-Blue Mill PauperPauper Jungle
Mono-Green ElvesMono-Green Elves PauperElvesBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Temur ElvesTemur Elves PauperElvesBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Distant Melody provides a significant boost in hand resources by allowing you to draw a card for each creature you have of the chosen type. This can turn a stalemate or even a losing position into an overwhelming advantage by refilling your hand with options.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly producing mana or tokens, the influx of new cards into your hand can lead to a chain of plays, essentially snowballing your resource acceleration, especially in decks with low casting cost creatures or those that generate mana.

Instant Speed: Distant Melody’s sorcery speed encourages strategic play, as timing is crucial to maximize its potential. Cast it post-combat or after a board wipe to ensure you maintain creatures on the field, making it a pivotal card for maintaining momentum and pressuring opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of Distant Melody, while there’s no discard upon casting, if you’re unable to present a creature type with a significant presence on the board, it equates to an inefficient use of the card, almost as disappointing as a forced discard.

Specific Mana Cost: Distant Melody demands both generic and blue mana, which could restrict its inclusion strictly to blue decks or those with sufficient mana fixing to cater to its specific mana cost without disrupting the deck’s flow.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While four mana is a fair investment for potential card advantage, there are several alternatives in the Magic realm that can provide card draw for less or offer additional effects along with drawing cards, sometimes making Distant Melody a less enticing option for decks not heavily centered around a particular creature type.


Reasons to Include Distant Melody in Your Collection

Versatility: Distant Melody is a perfect addition to decks that rely on a high volume of creatures sharing a type. Its ability to potentially draw a card for each creature you control can provide a significant boost in any tribal-themed deck.

Combo Potential: With the vast array of tribal synergies across MTG, Distant Melody can become an engine that fuels game-winning combos. It’s the card draw that keeps giving, and in the right deck, it can help cycle through your deck at an astonishing rate.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal decks are prevalent, Distant Melody becomes an essential spell for keeping pace with the competition. The card’s ability to refill your hand can make all the difference, allowing you to maintain the pressure on your opponents or recover from board wipes.


How to beat

Distant Melody stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful card draw engine, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature type synergies. It’s a pivotal card in tribal decks, where having multiple creatures of the same type is commonplace. By drawing a card for each creature you control of a chosen type, this spell can provide an enormous advantage, refilling your hand and fueling your game plan.

To effectively counter Distant Melody, consider using strategies that limit the number of creatures your opponent has on the battlefield. Spot removal, board wipes, and counterspells are excellent tools in this regard. Cards like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can clear the board before Distant Melody has a chance to make an impact. On the other hand, efficient counters like Counterspell or Negate can prevent Distant Melody from resolving in the first place. Additionally, hand disruption techniques that force your opponent to discard cards can preemptively deal with Distant Melody before it becomes a threat. Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek are strong choices for such a tactic.

Understanding the importance of Distant Melody in tribal decks can help players craft the right response strategy. By disrupting your opponent’s creature presence or being ready to counter their key spells, you can mitigate the card advantage that Distant Melody seeks to provide and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matchups.


BurnMana Recommendations

Distant Melody occupies a unique spot in the world of MTG as a tribal deck enhancer. Whether you’re piloting a merfolk swarm or commanding an elven army, this card can be the catalyst for a massive surge in your hand’s resources. The strategic timing and utilization of Distant Melody mark the difference between an average play and a game-changing move. With MTG’s ever-evolving meta and the continuous introduction of creature types, considering this card for your collection is a smart move. Dive deeper into its applications and find out how it can up your game in our comprehensive guides. Join fellow enthusiasts in exploring the depths of tribal strategies and perfect your deck’s performance for that competitive edge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Distant Melody MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Premium Deck Series: Slivers, 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 Distant Melody and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Distant Melody Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 322003NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
22009-11-20Premium Deck Series: SliversH09 272003NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
32019-11-21Historic Anthology 1HA1 52015NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 14642015NormalBorderlessJesse LeDoux
52020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 242015NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
62021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 982015NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
72021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1032015NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
82023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2202015NormalBlackSam Guay
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8462015NormalBlackOmar Rayyan
102023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 892015NormalBlackSam Guay
112023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1542015NormalBlackSam Guay

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Distant Melody has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-04-01 Note that this spell counts the number of permanents you control of the chosen type, not just the number of creatures you control. It will also take your tribal permanents into account.