Historian's Wisdom MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | 192 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jarel Threat |
Text of card
Enchant artifact or creature When Historian's Wisdom enters the battlefield, if enchanted permanent is a creature with the greatest power among creatures on the battlefield, draw a card. As long as enchanted permanent is a creature, it gets +2/+1.
Cards like Historian's Wisdom
Historian’s Wisdom is a unique addition to the roster of knowledge-enhancing cards in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards like Omen of the Sea, which similarly enables the player to look at the top cards of their library. However, Historian’s Wisdom delves deeper into the library, allowing for an extensive glimpse into forthcoming draws, albeit without the direct card draw that Omen of the Sea provides.
In the realm of strategy and insight, Telling Time stands as an analogue. This spell also permits the player to manipulate their deck’s upcoming cards, albeit in a more controlled yet limited fashion, presenting a trade-off between depth and precision. Another parallel can be drawn with Anticipate, allowing a look at the top three cards and the selection of one, offering immediate access to resources, unlike the delay in gratification presented by Historian’s Wisdom.
All things considered, Historian’s Wisdom occupies a strategic niche within Magic: The Gathering. It forgoes the immediate hand replenishment seen in other cards for a longer-term advantage, positioning itself as a thoughtful choice for players crafting a game plan that extends beyond the current turn.
Cards similar to Historian's Wisdom by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Historian’s Wisdom not only lets you delve into the past of your library but boosts your hand with additional strategic options. By drawing cards, you position yourself for a commanding lead.
Resource Acceleration: This card is a spellcaster’s dream, offering an avenue for mana growth. By potentially uncovering lands or mana-producing spells through its effect, you set the stage for accelerated resource deployment.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is at the core of Historian’s Wisdom. It operates at instant speed, allowing you to adapt swiftly and efficiently to the ebb and flow of the match, keeping opponents guessing until the last possible moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the hurdles players face with Historian’s Wisdom is its discard condition. To make the most of this card, you’re compelled to toss another card from your hand into your graveyard. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already close to depletion, or the discarded card is crucial for your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Historian’s Wisdom comes with a very defined mana cost that includes blue mana. This specificity can make it a less versatile option for decks that are not heavily invested in blue or that have a more diversified mana base. Consequently, this could restrict the card’s integration into various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana value that some might consider on the higher side for its effects, Historian’s Wisdom may not be as mana-efficient as alternative card draw spells in the format. Many players might find that other options could provide similar benefits without the same investment, potentially leaving Historian’s Wisdom out of more competitive decklists.
Reasons to Include Historian’s Wisdom in Your Collection
Versatility: Historian’s Wisdom is not just a card for control players. Its ability to delve into your deck and provide answers or resources makes it a valuable addition across a variety of deck archetypes, whether you’re in need of graveyard interaction, card advantage, or specific tutoring.
Combo Potential: The card shines in its ability to synergize with spells that care about the number of cards in a player’s hand or those that benefit from specific card types being in the graveyard. By orchestrating the right combo, you can significantly amplify your strategy’s effectiveness.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s constantly evolving, having a card like Historian’s Wisdom can give you an edge. With the ever-shifting meta, the flexibility to adapt and select from your deck precisely what you need can be the key to overcoming your opponents’ strategies.
How to beat
The Historian’s Wisdom card is a dynamic piece in a player’s arsenal, commonly used in Magic: The Gathering for its ability to delve into the past — quite literally. Players often employ it to bring back a significant card from their graveyard, offering a versatile tactical advantage. With that said, countering it can be elemental in tilting the scales of a match.
To effectively counter Historian’s Wisdom, it’s crucial to anticipate when your opponent might be setting up for a crucial graveyard retrieval. Utilizing cards that exile cards from the graveyard or ones that control which cards can be targeted can dramatically impair the effectiveness of Historian’s Wisdom. Cards such as Ashiok, Dream Render or Leyline of the Void can be particularly crippling against strategies hinging on the function of Historian’s Wisdom. Another method is to employ counterspells at the right moment to nullify Historian’s Wisdom before it resolves, ensuring the opponent’s graveyard plan never comes to fruition.
Moreover, keeping a watchful eye on the game state and remaining a step ahead can be just as effective as any single card. Understanding the typical deck archetypes that utilize Historian’s Wisdom and preparing sideboard strategies to mitigate its impact can lead to strategic victories against decks that rely heavily on it.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Historian's Wisdom MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Historian's Wisdom 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Historian's Wisdom has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Historian's Wisdom card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | Historian's Wisdom has an intervening “if” clause in its triggered ability. This means that you will draw a card only if the enchanted permanent is a creature with the greatest power both at the time the ability triggers and at the time that it resolves. |
| 2022-02-18 | If the enchanted creature leaves the battlefield in response to the triggered ability but the Aura is still on the battlefield, the Aura will be put into its owner's graveyard as a state-based action. In that case, the last time it was on the battlefield, it wasn't enchanting a permanent, and its controller will not draw a card. |