Endless Detour MTG Card


Endless Detour provides control by exiling nonland permanents or spells during crucial gameplay moments. The instant speed feature facilitates informed reactions to threats, offering strategic advantage. Although powerful, its specific mana cost and card discard requirement may limit versatility.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

The owner of target spell, nonland permanent, or card in a graveyard puts it on the top or bottom of their library.


Cards like Endless Detour

Endless Detour is a unique card in the multiverse of Magic: The Gathering with its ability to redirect spells or abilities to new targets. One might compare it to the classic spell Redirect, which also changes the focal point of spells, yet it does so at a lower cost. However, Endless Detour offers the flexibility of targeting abilities as well, a feature not present in Redirect.

Another card that stands shoulder to shoulder with Endless Detour is Narset’s Reversal. This card not only changes the course of a spell but effectively bounces it back to its owner’s hand allowing them to rethink their strategy. The cost is similar, but the rebound effect creates a different dynamic during gameplay. Then we have Wild Ricochet, offering a similar redirection effect but including a copy of the spell as well, adding to your arsenal of responses. However, its higher mana cost could be a consideration for deck-building strategies.

While evaluating these cards’ utilities and strategic advantages, Endless Detour secures its position as a versatile and potentially game-changing spell, especially when absolute control over spell and ability targets in Magic: The Gathering is desired.

Redirect - MTG Card versions
Narset's Reversal - MTG Card versions
Wild Ricochet - MTG Card versions
Redirect - MTG Card versions
Narset's Reversal - MTG Card versions
Wild Ricochet - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Bant ControlBant Control StandardBant ControlStandard Challenge 32 2024-03-22
Bant Land ComboBant Land Combo StandardBant Land ComboStandard Preliminary 2024-05-02
All Other DecklistsAll Other Decklists StandardBant ControlWPN QUALIFIERS SEASON 6
Five-color ControlFive-color Control Standard4c Control16 Day3
Bant RampBant Ramp StandardBant Control16 Day3
Bant TempoBant Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
Bant FlashBant Flash PioneerBant FlashNRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Endless Detour has the unique ability to select and exile any nonland permanent or spell. By disrupting opponents’ strategy, this card can essentially negate a key play, turning the tables in your favor while maintaining the balance of cards in hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct resource accelerator, Endless Detour plays a pivotal role in preserving your current board state. By protecting your significant investments, it indirectly ensures that your resources continue to generate value without impediment.

Instant Speed: The strength of Endless Detour shines in its instant speed. This aspect is critical as it allows you to respond reactively to threats or pivotal moments during the game. This flexibility ensures that you can always make the most informed decisions with the most current information, giving you the upper hand during crucial turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Endless Detour comes with the prerequisite of discarding a card. This condition can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling, potentially putting you at a further disadvantage during crucial moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting specifics for Endless Detour involve a precise combination of mana colors, which may not seamlessly fit into every player’s deck construction. Its requirement for both blue and white mana shelters it firmly within the Azorius color pair, potentially excluding a broader use across the various MTG archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in with a somewhat steep mana value, Endless Detour demands a significant investment for its controlling ability. When compared to other options available within its mana range, one might find more impactful spells or creatures that could better contribute to their overall gameplan without setting back their mana development.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Endless Detour offers a wide range of options, fitting neatly into decks that demand flexible responses. Its ability to exile any spell or permanent brings substantial control to the table, adapting to various situations.

Combo Potential: The card’s unique mechanism allows for creative combos, especially in decks that manipulate the stack or benefit from casting spells of different colors. This can lead to game-changing plays that keep opponents on their toes.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where unpredictable threats are common, Endless Detour’s utility can be a game-changer. It addresses a wide spectrum of challenges, remaining relevant regardless of shifting meta trends, making it a dependable card to have at your disposal.


How to Beat Endless Detour

Endless Detour presents a unique challenge, revealing its capability when it comes to protecting key pieces on the board or saving them from removal. To effectively counteract this spell, it’s essential to bait it out or overload your opponent’s ability to respond. Cards that force multiple actions in a turn, like cascade triggers or spells with storm, can exhaust an opponent’s resources and leave them unable to defend against everything.

Another strategy involves playing around the expected mana cost, as Endless Detour requires specific mana investment. Presenting threats at a faster pace than an opponent can handle ensures that by the time they have the resources to cast this spell, they’ll be too far behind to recover. Ultimately, while Endless Detour can seem daunting, it’s all about pacing and overwhelming its singular reactive potential.

In terms of gameplay dynamics, understanding when to commit to the board and when to hold back is pivotal. Tactics that include diverse threats or use recursive elements can force Endless Detour out prematurely, thus assuring its impact on the game state remains minimal. Expert navigators of the game can turn this potential detour into a mere bump on their road to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to sharpen your response time and control the board, Endless Detour might be the card you need to round out your collection. Its utility in exiling spells and permanents at instant speed gives you the ability to neutralize threats and protect your prized board state on the fly. While its mana cost is steep, and the discard requirement demands careful hand management, including Endless Detour in your arsenal could give you an edge in an Azorius control deck or others that value flexibility. Dive deeper into MTG strategy and optimize your deck with this dynamic card to ensure your next game could be a strategic masterpiece.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Endless Detour MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Endless Detour and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Endless Detour Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 3702015NormalBlackJack Hughes
22022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 3052015NormalBlackJack Hughes
32022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 183p2015NormalBlackEddie Mendoza
42022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 1832015NormalBlackEddie Mendoza
52022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 183s2015NormalBlackEddie Mendoza
62024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 442015NormalBorderlessYohann Schepacz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Endless Detour has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 Endless Detour doesn't counter spells. A spell that can't be countered can still be put on the top or bottom of its owner's library this way.
2022-04-29 If Endless Detour is targeting a spell and that spell is countered or otherwise goes to its owner's graveyard before Endless Detour resolves, it is no longer the same object and it will not be put on the top or bottom of its owner's library.