Dwell on the Past MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2002-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Torment |
| Set code | TOR |
| Number | 124 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Text of card
Target player shuffles up to four target cards from his or her graveyard into his or her library.
None can find what hasn't been lost. —Nantuko teaching
Cards like Dwell on the Past
Exploring the rich tapestry of Magic: The Gathering brings us to Dwell on the Past, a green sorcery card that offers deck recycling capabilities. We can compare it to other cards like Regrowth or Noxious Revival which also allow players to retrieve cards from their graveyard. However, Dwell on the Past provides a unique spin by randomly targeting four cards, adding unpredictability and potential value.
Gaea’s Blessing shares a kinship with Dwell on the Past, offering the restoration of cards from the graveyard to the library as well, with the addition of drawing a card when Gaea’s Blessing itself is put into the graveyard from the library. Though it’s more direct in its effect, it lacks the broader selection offered by Dwell on the Past. Then, there’s also the card Wildest Dreams, which enables you to choose the exact cards you get back from your graveyard, albeit at a higher mana cost proportional to the number of cards chosen.
When analyzing the nuances of these cards, Dwell on the Past shines in scenarios favoring a higher volume of cards over selectivity, contributing to its unique place among MTG deck recycling options.
Cards similar to Dwell on the Past by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: “Dwell on the Past” is an excellent card for players looking to regain valuable spells from their graveyard. By selectively targeting cards to shuffle back into your library, you maintain a higher chance of drawing into those power plays again, ensuring a sustainable flow throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Acting as a recycling tool, “Dwell on the Past” can help you bring back ramp spells or land-fetching cards to your deck. This gives you a second chance at accelerating your mana base, which is crucial for outpacing your opponent and deploying threats more efficiently.
Instant Speed: The ability to use “Dwell on the Past” at the end of your opponent’s turn offers strategic flexibility. It allows you to make on-the-fly decisions based on the current state of the game. Reacting in real-time can create unexpected turns for opponents who thought they had your measure.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Dwell on the Past requires letting go of a card already in hand, which might not always align with your strategy, especially if your hand is already running low.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked behind a green mana requirement, Dwell on the Past demands a devotion to green, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce this type of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given the mana investment needed, some players might find other cards more mana-efficient for retrieving cards from the graveyard, making Dwell on the Past a less attractive option when optimizing deck performance.
Reasons to Include Dwell on the Past in Your Collection
Versatility: Dwell on the Past offers great flexibility, easily slotting into decks focused on graveyard strategies. This card can be repeatedly used to fine-tune your graveyard, setting the stage for powerful plays.
Combo Potential: It can act as a cornerstone in combos by bringing back key creatures or spells, fueling recurring synergies or enabling intricate engine setups.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where graveyard tactics prevail, Dwell on the Past proves invaluable. It can adapt to the shifting landscape, allowing players to recover essential pieces and persist against disruption.
How to beat
Dwell on the Past is an intriguing tactical spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering players a unique opportunity to manipulate their graveyard. Understanding the mechanics of this card can be critical for players striving to maintain the upper hand in a game. By returning target cards from the graveyard to the library, it showcases notable versatility, but this action is not without counterplay strategies.
One effective way to beat Dwell on the Past is the use of graveyard hate cards. Cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can completely eliminate the benefits Dwell on the Past provides by exiling graveyards and denying any potential advantage. Similarly, controlling the game’s pace through counterspells like Negate or Disallow directly challenges casting such spells, ensuring that the attempt to revisit the past remains just that—an attempt. Finally, aggressive strategies that reduce the opponent’s life total before they can leverage Dwell on the Past fully may render the card inconsequential.
Maximizing these tactics advanced players nullify Dwell on the Past’s impact, keep their opponents permanently locked in the present, and dominate the playing field, showcasing the importance of strategy in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dwell on the Past MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Dwell on the Past 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 Dwell on the Past has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |