Words of Wisdom MTG Card


Words of Wisdom - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Number114
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byEric Peterson

Key Takeaways

  1. Words of Wisdom excels in card advantage through boosting draws and offers strategic flexibility with instant speed.
  2. Limited by a discard requirement and specific mana costs, it may not suit every deck’s composition.
  3. Its potential to enrich hand synergies and combo play makes it an asset in certain meta environments.

Text of card

You draw two cards, then each other player draws a card.

Knowledge can't be kept in a bottle or sealed in a box. It yearns to be spread and shared.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Words of Wisdom provides the power to draw more cards, boosting your hand while potentially overwhelming your opponent with options.

Resource Acceleration: Though it does not directly produce mana or tokens, cycling Words of Wisdom can speed up your deck mechanics, edging you closer to key spells and resources.

Instant Speed: The capacity to use Words of Wisdom at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to adapt quickly to the evolving state of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Words of Wisdom demands that you discard another card upon resolution. This can be a detrimental trade-off, especially in late-game scenarios where each card in hand is vital for maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting requires one blue mana, potentially restricting its playability. Players running multicolored decks not heavily invested in blue might find it challenging to consistently meet the casting conditions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two and a half mana, including one blue, Words of Wisdom is on the pricier side for an instant that only draws a single card. Considering alternative draw spells in MTG, there are more mana-efficient options that could replace it in a tightly constructed deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Words of Wisdom offers a simple yet effective boost for any deck looking to enhance their draw power. Its ability to draw additional cards at a low cost makes it a flexible inclusion, fitting easily into a variety of blue-based strategies.

Combo Potential: Beyond replenishing your hand, Words of Wisdom can work wonders within decks that focus on cards in hand synergies or those utilizing spells-based combos. It meshes well with cards that benefit from casting a high number of spells or that trigger off of draw events.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where information is power, the ability to efficiently cycle through your deck can give you a decisive edge. Words of Wisdom keeps you on pace in a fast-moving meta, helping ensure you’re never without options during critical junctures of play.


How to beat Words of Wisdom

If you’re looking to counter the effects of Words of Wisdom in your MTG matchups, understanding the mechanics and timing of this card is crucial. Words of Wisdom primarily offers your opponents an instant draw, which could be pivotal for their game strategy by allowing them access to more options. To combat this, consider incorporating instant-speed disruption effects into your deck that can negate the card draw, such as Narset, Parter of Veils, which limits your opponent to one draw per turn. You can also use cards that punish your opponent for drawing, like Underworld Dreams, to turn their card advantage into a liability.

Moreover, deck strategies that focus on hand disruption can greatly reduce the impact of Words of Wisdom. Utilize spells like Thoughtseize or Duress to extract key cards from your opponent’s hand before they can gain the upper hand. Keeping pressure with a fast-paced aggressive playstyle can also prevent your opponent from having the luxury of using Words of Wisdom to its full effect, as they’ll be forced to use their mana to respond to your threats rather than to draw cards and plan ahead.

To sum it up, Words of Wisdom can be outmaneuvered with smart play that limits card advantage, uses disruption tactics effectively, and maintains a proactive approach to keeping your opponent on the defensive.


BurnMana Recommendations

Words of Wisdom is an intriguing card with the potential to refine your MTG strategy. The ability to draw cards at instant speed makes it a tactical element for any blue-focused deck. As you weigh the pros and cons and how it compares to other draw spells in the game, keep in mind its combo potential and relevance in current metagames. If you’re striving to expand your card knowledge and sharpen your gameplay, delve deeper into our resources. We offer extensive insights that can guide you in optimizing your deck and elevating your MTG prowess. Discover how Words of Wisdom can unlock new pathways to victory.


Cards like Words of Wisdom

When delving into the strategic depths of card draw spells in Magic: The Gathering, Words of Wisdom offers a notable comparison to its counterparts. Resembling the card Inspiration, both provide the advantage of drawing cards upon cast. Words of Wisdom, however, gives you the added flexibility of drawing additional cards while also allowing your opponents to do the same. This adds a layer of complexity and potential advantage depending on the board state.

Another counterpart, Peek, while only drawing a single card, has the upside of being cheaper and providing valuable information by allowing you to look at an opponent’s hand. The foresight gained here could be crucial for future plays. Conversely, Vision Skeins echoes Words of Wisdom’s symmetrical card draw effect, but it doesn’t offer the same card quantity and is less flexible due to its sorcery speed, highlighting Words of Wisdom’s utility in responsive play.

The assessment of these similar options showcases Words of Wisdom’s place in Magic: The Gathering as a blend of generosity and opportunism, carving its niche among blue card draw spells with the possible twist of filling your hand while unexpectedly aiding your adversaries.

Inspiration - MTG Card versions
Peek - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions
Inspiration - Visions (VIS)
Peek - Odyssey (ODY)
Vision Skeins - Dissension (DIS)

Cards similar to Words of Wisdom by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Commander Masters (CMM)
Hurkyl's Recall - Antiquities (ATQ)
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Lat-Nam's Legacy - Alliances (ALL)
Flash - Mirage (MIR)
Boomerang - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Rebound - Stronghold (STH)
Memory Lapse - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Hoodwink - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Tidal Bore - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Accumulated Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Impulse - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Cyclonic Rift - Commander Masters (CMM)
Thassa's Intervention - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Metamorphose - Scourge (SCG)
Echoing Truth - Modern Masters (MMA)
Early Frost - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mana Leak - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Remand - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska (DDM)
Vision Skeins - Commander 2013 (C13)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Words of Wisdom MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Words of Wisdom and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Words of Wisdom has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks