Opt MTG Card


Opt’s scry and draw mechanism ensures players maintain a steady flow of resources in-game. The card’s instant speed allows for tactical mana use, keeping players’ options open. Despite its advantages, Opt requires careful hand management due to its discard clause.
Card setsReleased in 17 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Scry

Text of card

Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library. Draw a card.

"We need alternatives, Hanna," yelled Gerrard. "Now!"


Cards like Opt

Opt stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a staple for players seeking efficient card filtering. Closely comparable is the classic card, Serum Visions, which, like Opt, costs one blue mana and allows players to draw a card. Serum Visions, however, provides the foresight to scry 2, shaping future draws more extensively. Despite this, Opt’s instant speed gives it an upper hand, allowing players to hold up mana and make decisions with more information.

Looking at another peer, Sleight of Hand, we see a similar cost of one blue mana but with a different approach. It allows players to look at the top two cards of their library, pick one, and put the other on the bottom. Unlike Opt, Sleight of Hand is a sorcery, which restricts its usage to the caster’s main phases. Meanwhile, Peek is another one-mana blue spell granting instant-speed card draw with the additional perk of viewing an opponent’s hand. However, it lacks the card selection Opt provides.

In essence, while there are multiple one-mana blue spells that manipulate the player’s deck and draw cards, Opt’s combination of instant speed and scry utility gives it an esteemed position that affords flexibility and card quality in the strategic play of Magic: The Gathering.

Serum Visions - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Hand - MTG Card versions
Peek - MTG Card versions
Serum Visions - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Hand - MTG Card versions
Peek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Opt by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet PhoenixIzzet Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer League 2024-04-21
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange PioneerDimir MidrangePioneer Preliminary 2024-04-23 (1)
Grixis PhoenixGrixis Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer League 2024-04-22
WUWU PioneerPioneer League 2024-04-22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the ability to scry and then draw a card, this card provides players with the option to filter their upcoming plays, ensuring they stay ahead in the race for resources.

Resource Acceleration: As Opt allows for card selection at a minimal cost of only one blue mana, it facilitates faster cycling through the deck, helping to accelerate access to vital resources and combo pieces when needed.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of this spell enables players to utilize their mana efficiently, keeping their options open until the most opportune moment to act, without compromising their ability to respond to an opponent’s threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Opt necessitates discarding a card to enable its alternative “Opt” feature. This can be detrimental when your hand is already scant, forcing tough decisions on whether to retain crucial cards or seek a better immediate draw.

Specific Mana Cost: Although Opt’s primary mana cost is minimal and generic, enabling its use in various decks, the specialized secondary cost for the “Opt” ability is blue. This can be restrictive, confining the card’s full potential to blue or multicolor decks adept at generating blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the overall mana efficiency for card optimization spells in MTG, Opt’s enhanced ability can seem costly. For players aiming to maximize synergy and reduce mana expenses, there are other instant-speed card draw options that might provide a more efficient mana-to-effect ratio without requiring a card to be discarded.


Reasons to Include Opt in Your Collection

Versatility: Opt serves as a crucial spell in numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to draw a card while providing the option to scry 1 beforehand ensures that players can sift through their decks efficiently, making it a flexible addition to control, combo, or even aggro decks looking for consistency.

Combo Potential: For combo decks, the instant speed of Opt allows players to dig for missing combo pieces at the end of the opponent’s turn or in response to actions that might disrupt their strategy. This can provide the edge needed to execute a combo flawlessly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where information and the right response can determine the victor, Opt offers a low-cost way to keep pace with the meta. By tailoring your draw to the situation at hand, it remains a powerful tool in maintaining relevance against a variety of competitive deck builds.


How to beat

Opt is a ubiquitous spell in MTG, offering an efficient way to sift through your deck while keeping your mana untapped for other spells. As an instant, it slides seamlessly into almost any game phase, but like any tactic, it has its counters. Disruption is key; consider using cards that hinder your opponent’s draw capabilities. Hand attack spells like Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively remove Opt from your opponent’s hand, neutralizing the threat before it’s cast.

Additionally, strategy-specific counters like Narset, Parter of Veils, restrict an opponent to draw only one card each turn, thus dulling Opt’s effectiveness. Furthermore, Teferi, Time Raveler’s passive ability can stop opponents from casting spells at instant speed, which directly negates Opt’s primary advantage. When building your deck, keep these card interactions in mind to ensure you’re prepared to challenge an opponent’s Opt play, and maintain the upper hand by disrupting their carefully laid plans.

Understanding when to disrupt an opponent’s strategy is as crucial as the cards you play. By anticipating the use of cards like Opt and having a counter ready, you put yourself at a competitive edge in any MTG matchup. Keep your eyes open and your wits sharp, and you may just out-opt your opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG enthusiasts, we recognize the impact of cards like Opt in crafting a winning strategy. It’s a gem for players craving swift deck manipulation and the thrill of instant decision-making. Whether fine-tuning a control deck or streamlining a combo, Opt’s flexibility cannot be understated. If you’re keen to adapt to ever-shifting battlegrounds, refine your card choices, and maintain a competitive edge, embracing cards with strategic depth is crucial. Dive into our comprehensive guides to harness the full power of Opt and other pivotal cards, bolstering your playstyle and card knowledge, as you climb the ranks in the MTG arena.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Opt MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Opt and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Opt Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 9 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 641997NormalBlackJohn Howe
22001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar641997NormalGoldJohn Howe
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 680472003NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42017-09-29IxalanXLN 652015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
52018-04-27DominariaDOM 602015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
62018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 602015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
72019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 592015NormalBlackDan Scott
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4512015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
92019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 1112015NormalBlackJehan Choo
102020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 592015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
112020-09-26The ListPLST DOM-602015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
122021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 192015NormalBorderlessKristina Collantes
132021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 822015NormalBorderlessRien.
142022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3322015NormalBlackDan Scott
152023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1942015NormalBlackErion Makuo
162023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 1012015NormalBlackDan Scott
172024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 1042015NormalBlackDan Murayama Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Opt has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal