Expand the Sphere MTG Card


Card drawing and extra mana make Expand the Sphere a powerful asset in MTG matches. Instant speed execution provides unparalleled flexibility and adaptability in gameplay. Discarding a card may be a drawback when casting Expand the Sphere in tight situations.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Proliferate

Text of card

Look at the top six cards of your library. Put up to two land cards from among them onto the battlefield tapped and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. If you put fewer than two lands onto the battlefield this way, proliferate a number of times equal to the difference. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)


Cards like Expand the Sphere

Expand the Sphere is an intriguing entry in the pantheon of ramp and card advantage mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. When eyeing peers within its category, a card like Growth Spiral immediately comes to mind. Both cards allow a player additional land plays and card draw, essential for pacing in a game. However, Expand the Sphere offers a variable bonus depending on the board state, which can be a decisive advantage over Growth Spiral’s consistent yet fixed benefit.

Another card that draws attention for comparison is Urban Evolution. Also marrying the concepts of ramp and card draw, Urban Evolution costs more mana but guarantees a higher number of cards and a land drop, setting it apart from Expand the Sphere’s potential variability. In contrast, Circuitous Route focuses solely on ramp, allowing for the fetching of two lands, yet it lacks the card draw mechanic that gives Expand the Sphere its flexible edge.

Evaluating them side-by-side, Expand the Sphere reflects a balanced option in MTG. Its utility in land manipulation and varied card advantage can be pivotal, positioning it as a versatile choice in decks that can capitalize on its potentially changing benefits.

Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Urban Evolution - MTG Card versions
Circuitous Route - MTG Card versions
Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Urban Evolution - MTG Card versions
Circuitous Route - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Expand the Sphere by color, type and mana cost

Tsunami - MTG Card versions
Taste of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Splendid Genesis - MTG Card versions
Unyaro Bee Sting - MTG Card versions
Natural Balance - MTG Card versions
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Rejuvenate - MTG Card versions
Titania's Boon - MTG Card versions
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Pack Hunt - MTG Card versions
Reverent Silence - MTG Card versions
Nature's Resurgence - MTG Card versions
Invigorating Falls - MTG Card versions
Venomous Vines - MTG Card versions
Natural Order - MTG Card versions
Scapeshift - MTG Card versions
Explosive Vegetation - MTG Card versions
Reap and Sow - MTG Card versions
Tsunami - MTG Card versions
Taste of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Splendid Genesis - MTG Card versions
Unyaro Bee Sting - MTG Card versions
Natural Balance - MTG Card versions
Elven Cache - MTG Card versions
Creeping Mold - MTG Card versions
Bee Sting - MTG Card versions
Rejuvenate - MTG Card versions
Titania's Boon - MTG Card versions
Splinter - MTG Card versions
Pack Hunt - MTG Card versions
Reverent Silence - MTG Card versions
Nature's Resurgence - MTG Card versions
Invigorating Falls - MTG Card versions
Venomous Vines - MTG Card versions
Natural Order - MTG Card versions
Scapeshift - MTG Card versions
Explosive Vegetation - MTG Card versions
Reap and Sow - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari PoisonGolgari Poison StandardGolgari PoisonTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024
Selesnya ToxicSelesnya Toxic StandardJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Expand the Sphere offers players the chance to draw additional cards, making it a valuable resource for building up your hand and ensuring you have the right tools to stay ahead in the match.

Resource Acceleration: This card acts as a catalyst for growth in your resources by providing access to extra mana swiftly, which can be pivotal in outpacing your opponents and casting key spells when they matter most.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Expand the Sphere at instant speed grants flexibility in gameplay, allowing the player to adapt to the evolving game state and utilize their mana efficiently during the full extent of the turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Expand the Sphere necessitates discarding a card from your hand upon casting. This condition can lead to a tough decision, particularly if your hand is already lacking in options or if the match is at a critical juncture where each card’s value is amplified.

Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a precise mana composition to cast, this card requires both blue and green mana. This stipulation can be a stumbling block for players running a multicolor deck that may not always have the necessary mana available, potentially causing delays or hindering its timely play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits on the higher end of the spectrum for its offered benefits, players might find it challenging to justify the allocation of resources for Expand the Sphere when other cards in the same mana range could provide a more immediate impact on the game state or offer a stronger late-game advantage.


Reasons to Include Expand the Sphere in Your Collection

Versatility: Expand the Sphere offers flexibility in deck-building, catering to strategies that seek mana fixing or a diverse mana base. It can slide into multicolor decks, easing the strain on mana requirements.

Combo Potential: As a mana acceleration tool, it works well with cards that benefit from increased mana availability or that can leverage lands entering the battlefield for powerful synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where the pace is fast and efficiency is key, Expand the Sphere helps players stay on par or ahead with ramping capabilities, making it a timely addition to competitive play.


How to beat

Expand the Sphere is a card that can be both a boon and a bane to Magic: The Gathering players. This intricate card allows a player to change the target of a spell with a single target, creating opportunities for flexibility in gameplay. To successfully navigate the challenges this card presents, strategic execution is essential. Keeping a keen eye on the stack and managing it effectively is key, as timing your spells and abilities can prevent your opponent from exploiting the versatile nature of Expand the Sphere.

Utilizing instant-speed removal or counterspells when the opponent attempts to cast Expand the Sphere can disrupt their plans. By preserving these resources until crucial moments, you can maintain control over the flow of the game. Moreover, assessing when to hold back or push your spells, considering the risk of Expand the Sphere altering your strategy, is fundamentally important. Consequently, being patient and waiting for the opportune time to act can mitigate the card’s impact on your strategy.

Ultimately, the combination of precision and foresight in handling encounters with Expand the Sphere could make the difference between victory and defeat. Recognizing the situational utility of this card and preparing accordingly positions savvy players to outmaneuver the potential shifts it introduces to the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Grasping the multifaceted nature of Expand the Sphere can mean the difference between a win or a setback in your MTG journey. With its blend of card advantage and resource acceleration at instant speed, this card presents opportunities for strategic depth and creative maneuvers. If you’re looking to enhance your gameplay, learning to utilize and counter this card effectively in various situations is crucial. To expand your knowledge and refine your approach, delve deeper into the tactics and potential this card holds. We encourage you to keep exploring and growing your skills with us as you journey through the evolving meta and strategic intricacies of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Expand the Sphere MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art Series, 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 Expand the Sphere and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Expand the Sphere Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Sergey Glushakov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 1682015NormalBlackSergey Glushakov
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art SeriesAONE 382015Art seriesBorderlessSergey Glushakov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Expand the Sphere has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-02-04 An ability that triggers "Whenever you proliferate" triggers even if you chose no permanents or players while doing so.
2023-02-04 If a permanent ever has both +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it at the same time, they're removed in pairs as a state-based action so that the permanent has only one of those kinds of counters on it.
2023-02-04 If a player or permanent has more than one kind of counter on it, and you choose for it to get additional counters, it must get one of each kind of counter it already has. You can't have it get just one kind of counter it already has and not the others.
2023-02-04 Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it's too late for anyone to respond.
2023-02-04 To proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can't choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
2023-02-04 You don't have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter, only the ones you want to add another counter to. Since "any number" includes zero, you don't have to choose any permanents at all, and you don't have to choose any players at all.