Form of the Approach of the Second Sun MTG Card


Approach of the Second Sun offers a win condition bypassing combat, ideal for non-creature centric decks. A precise mana mix and high cost require strategy, potentially hampering deck flexibility and tempo. Countering or disrupting the spell is vital as its second cast can be a game-ending move.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Text of card

When this enchantment enters the battlefield, you gain 7 life. You become a card until you leave your library or that library is shuffled. Put yourself seventh from the top, balancing the cards on top of you on your head. When you draw yourself, you win the game. When one or more cards fall off your head, exile them and all cards on your head, then sacrifice this enchantment.


Understanding the Unique Aspects of Approach of the Second Sun

Approach of the Second Sun offers a distinctive win condition in Magic: The Gathering, differing it from other cards in its category. Its closest counterparts might be Enduring Ideal or Near-Death Experience, both of which also present alternative ways to achieve victory. Unlike those, Approach of the Second Sun doesn’t rely on the board state or life totals but instead sets a challenge for the player to cast it twice.

Cards like Form of the Approach of the Second Sun

Approach of the Second Sun falls into an intriguing niche of MTG cards that can clinch a game without traditional combat. Exquisite Archangel provides a sense of comparison, offering a safety net by resetting a player’s life total instead of an outright win. On another note, Felidar Sovereign sets a condition for a win based on life gain, requiring strategy around building high life totals. However, while these cards provide alternate paths to victory, they lack the self-contained mechanism of Approach of the Second Sun which aims for a singular objective – cast it again for a game win.

The clever design of Approach of the Second Sun calls for strategic deck construction and game play maneuvers, especially compared to the immediate impact of other win-con cards. Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, this aspect makes it a captivating choice for players looking for an unconventional route to victory.

Enduring Ideal - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Exquisite Archangel - MTG Card versions
Felidar Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Enduring Ideal - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Exquisite Archangel - MTG Card versions
Felidar Sovereign - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Form of the Approach of the Second Sun by color, type and mana cost

Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Rabble Rousing - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Rabble Rousing - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The distinct mechanism of the card allows a player to win the game on casting it a second time, significantly reducing the need for additional win conditions. This can streamline your deck’s focus, essentially doubling the value of a single card slot.

Resource Acceleration: Upon its first cast, the card is placed seventh from the top of the library. This offers a predictable and strategic planning opportunity, allowing players to accelerate their resources through draw effects or library manipulation to achieve the win condition faster than usual.

Instant Speed: While this card itself does not function at instant speed, its ability to pair with cards that can alter your library or draw at instant speed synergizes perfectly, giving a sense of imminent threat as you quickly approach the critical second casting.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One major drawback of utilizing this spell is the condition that necessitates the forfeit of another card from your hand. This can be particularly detrimental during late game scenarios where each card’s value is magnified and losing a potential game-changer could lead to a swift defeat.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a very particular array of mana to cast, including an imposing amount of white mana. For players who don’t specialize in white mana or multi-color decks that can struggle with mana fixing, consistently getting this card on the battlefield can be challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of seven mana required to cast this spell, it sits on the higher end of the mana curve. In fast-paced games, that cost can severely slow down your momentum as there are alternative strategies that could utilize such resources more efficiently for board presence or direct player impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Form of the Approach of the Second Sun card shines in various strategies due to its unique win condition, which doesn’t rely on combat. This makes it a perfect fit for spell-heavy and control decks.

Combo Potential: It pairs beautifully with cards that allow you to sift through your deck quickly or with effects that copy spells, potentially bringing you much closer to that game-winning second casting in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: As a card that can bypass traditional creature defenses, it’s particularly useful in environments where creature removal is prevalent, allowing you to chart a direct course to victory irrespective of your opponent’s board state.


How to beat Approach of the Second Sun

Approach of the Second Sun is a unique sorcery card in MTG that can lead to an instant win for the caster. Its first casting allows a player to gain a significant life boost, but its second casting – if it remains in the player’s deck – ensures a victory that does not rely on the traditional combat route. Thus, countering this spell becomes imperative in competitive play.

To effectively beat Approach of the Second Sun, players should focus on strategically timing counter spells or leveraging discard effects to ensure the card is removed from the opponent’s hand before it can be cast. Additionally, milling strategies can help remove it from the opponent’s deck, but players should be cautious as this may inadvertently aid the opponent in getting the card back into their hand for the decisive second casting.

Remember, Approach of the Second Sun requires that the second casting originates from the player’s hand, so any temporary exile or hand disruption can significantly hinder its success. In essence, maintaining an awareness of the opponent’s strategy and employing the right counter measures is crucial to prevent Approach of the Second Sun from ending the game prematurely.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Form of the Approach of the Second Sun MTG card by a specific set like Unfinity and Unfinity, 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 Form of the Approach of the Second Sun and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Form of the Approach of the Second Sun Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Aaron J. Riley.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07UnfinityUNF 2952015NormalBlackAaron J. Riley
22022-10-07UnfinityUNF 92015NormalBlackAaron J. Riley

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-07 As clever as it may be, drawing a picture of yourself doesn’t count as drawing yourself in this context.
2022-10-07 As long as you’re still in your library, you’ll remain a card even if Form of the Approach of the Second Sun leaves the battlefield.
2022-10-07 If Form of . . . you know . . . leaves the battlefield, there will be no consequence for cards falling off your head. Just put the cards back and try not to knock your library over in the middle of the game. Of course, you won’t win the game for drawing yourself either. You’ll just stop being a card and the game will continue.
2022-10-07 If you draw yourself, you stop being a card, but you don’t immediately draw another card to replace yourself.
2022-10-07 If you put yourself into your hand (ow) without drawing yourself, such as with a “tutor” effect, you’ll just stop being a card. The ability that has you win the game won’t trigger.
2022-10-07 If you put yourself somewhere else in your library without shuffling, all cards on top of you should be balanced on your head. This is also true if cards are put on top of your library while you’re in that library.
2022-10-07 If you’re on top of your library, and the top card of your library is revealed, this should have no effect on what you’re wearing.
2022-10-07 No player may physically interfere with you or touch you in any way to try and get the cards on top of you to fall. If another player is instructed to touch your library while you are a card, communicate with them to follow the instructions safely and comfortably. For example, if an opponent is instructed to look at the top card of your library, you should hand them that card, and so on.
2022-10-07 To balance cards on top of your head, the cards must be above your head and physically connected to your head in some way, held up only by gravity. The cards don’t have to be touching your head, so they can be balanced on top of a hat, for example, but you can’t put something on top of them or use adhesives to keep them in place. A good test to see if you’re balancing them properly is that the cards should be able to fall off if you tilt your head until it is horizontal.
2022-10-07 While in your library, you are a planeswalker card, but you don’t have a mana cost or any other characteristics. If instructed to search for a planeswalker card or for any card, you could find yourself (literally as well as spiritually).