Stream of Unconsciousness MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Tribal Instant — Wizard
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Number	52
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Rebecca Guay

Key Takeaways

Offers more than disruption; it helps recycle creatures for advantageous re-entry effects, maintaining momentum.
Optimizes resource management by providing flexibility and an instant speed response to opponents’ actions.
Demands careful hand and mana management, balancing its strategic benefits against potential trade-offs.

Text of card

Target creature gets -4/-0 until end of turn. If you control a Wizard, draw a card.

Dreams are tempting because one is so powerful in them. Dreams are dangerous because that power is a lie.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Stream of Unconsciousness, you get more than just card filtering. While it returns a creature to its owner’s hand, it also allows you to recast that creature for a potentially more advantageous effect or setup, thus providing a tactical edge and maintaining card flow.

Resource Acceleration: This card is part of a strategy that leverages the spells you cast to unlock powerful synergies or requirements for other cards. By bouncing a creature back, you can reuse enter-the-battlefield effects or save a creature for later use, thus optimizing your resource allocation on the board.

Instant Speed: The strength of an instant like Stream of Unconsciousness lies in its flexibility. Being able to react to your opponent’s moves, especially during their turn, can be a game-changer. This play could disrupt their plans or protect your key creatures from removal, giving you a significant advantage at crucial moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Stream of Unconsciousness demands that you discard a card, which can be detrimental when your hand is already sparse. It forces players to make tough decisions about resource management, especially in the midst of a tight game where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation is reliant on blue mana, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks that may not always have the required mana readily available. This mana specificity can hinder its inclusion in decks that are not primarily blue-centric.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may be considered steep for the effect it provides, Stream of Unconsciousness competes with other spells that could potentially give a greater advantage for the same, or even a lower, mana investment. Players must weigh its cost against its benefits, considering alternatives that could fulfill similar roles in their decks.

Reasons to Include Stream of Unconsciousness in Your Collection

Versatility: Stream of Unconsciousness offers broad utility in blue decks with its low cost and ability to tweak the power dynamics on the battlefield, proving useful in a variety of situations.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to target any Wizard allows for strategic plays and can be a key component in Wizard tribal decks, potentially unlocking powerful synergies and combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where blue decks and Wizard-themed strategies are prevalent, Stream of Unconsciousness can be a smart addition, enabling players to outmaneuver their opponents with its surprise factor and tactical advantages.

How to Beat

Stream of Unconsciousness is a unique trick in the vast sea of blue spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its ability to disrupt an opponent’s creatures by untapping them and reducing their power. To counter this spell, the key is to diversify your threats on the battlefield. Avoid relying heavily on single, powerful creatures which can be neutralized by such spells. Employing creatures with hexproof or shroud ensures they remain outside the reach of targeting spells like Stream of Unconsciousness.

Moreover, planning your attacks and creature deployment strategically can minimize the impact of this card. Instant-speed removal or countermagic can effectively negate the spell as it’s being cast. Keeping mana open for reactive plays rather than committing fully during one’s own turn can be an excellent tactic in maintaining the upper hand against blue control spells.

Lastly, resilient creatures that can benefit from being untapped or have effects that trigger upon targeting can exploit the drawbacks of Stream of Unconsciousness. This forces your opponent to consider the potential disadvantages before using the spell, often deterring them from casting it and keeping your pivotal game pieces safe and ready for combat.

Cards like Stream of Unconsciousness

Within the Magic: The Gathering strategy galaxy, Stream of Unconsciousness has peers that share its inclination towards disrupting the tempo of the game. Take Boomerang as an example; it returns target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand, similar to the way Stream of Unconsciousness can bounce a creature. Still, Stream of Unconsciousness offers a narrower focus with a tribal element, applicable only to Wizards, yet at a cheaper cost. While Boomerang acts on a broader scope, Stream of Unconsciousness aligns with deck themes keen on tribal synergies and efficiency.

Considering Unsummon, it plays a similar role by targeting creatures exclusively, yet it doesn’t provide the tribal cost reduction nor the draw effect. Stream of Unconsciousness edges ahead with the potential for both a lower casting cost and a draw, which can be pivotal in card advantage war. On the other side, there’s also the classic Counterspell, protecting your board or safeguarding your strategies. While different in application—permission versus return—Stream of Unconsciousness complements such protective strategies while rewarding players for committing to the Wizard tribe.

In the realm of cost-effective creature management and card advantage, Stream of Unconsciousness offers a unique niche. It stands out among similar MTG cards with its tribal synergy, proving to be a smart inclusion for players who specialize in Wizard-themed decks.

Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stream of Unconsciousness MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Stream of Unconsciousness and other MTG cards: