Practical Research MTG Card


Practical Research offers card advantage and instant speed, making it a game-changer in duels. Drawing a high number of cards may be offset by the drawback of a compulsory discard. The card’s inherent versatility makes it valuable in various MTG deck archetypes.
Practical Research - Strixhaven: School of Mages
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2021-04-23
Set symbol
Set nameStrixhaven: School of Mages
Set codeSTX
Number212
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEkaterina Burmak

Text of card

Draw four cards. Then discard two cards unless you discard an instant or sorcery card.

The twins each researched spells to defeat Extus in their own way. Will hit the library. Rowan hit everything else.


Cards like Practical Research

Delving into the nuances of deck-building strategies in Magic: The Gathering, Practical Research holds its ground as an intriguing card-draw option. It parallels other draw spells such as Concentrate, where you draw three cards for a total of four mana at sorcery speed. What sets Practical Research apart is its additional clause that allows the player to discard a card, thus refining your hand whilst also pulling in fresh options from your deck.

Compulsion is another card that comes to mind with a focus on hand refinement. Unlike Practical Research, Compulsion offers repeatable use, but it doesn’t provide the immediate bulk draw. It’s a trade-off between consistency and impact. Then there’s Tidings – with a higher mana cost, this spell lets you draw four cards outright, no strings attached. The cost and lack of hand-tailoring make Practical Research the more flexible choice for many decks.

When pitted against its counterparts, Practical Research’s combination of volume draw and hand sculpting is immensely valuable. Its adaptability in a variety of situations helps players maintain momentum, positioning it as a solid pick in the pantheon of draw spells.

Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Compulsion - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Compulsion - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
5c Midrange5c Midrange Pioneer5c MidrangePioneer Challenge 64 2024-02-17

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Practical Research, players can delve into their library and come up with not just one, but a handful of new strategies right at their fingertips. This kind of draw power keeps your hand filled with options, enabling you to remain a step ahead of your opponent throughout the duel.

Resource Acceleration: Filtering through your deck rapidly accelerates your resource management. This MTG card whisks you through your deck, getting you to those crucial lands and spells faster, effectively streamlining your path to victory.

Instant Speed: The flexibility to cast Practical Research at instant speed is a significant tactical advantage. Reacting to an opponent’s moves, maximizing mana usage, and adaptability during the thick of battle are what make instant-speed spells like this the unsung heroes of many winning matches.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Similar to some other strategies in deck building, the Practical Research card includes a mechanism where players must discard cards from their hand. This could lead to a strategic disadvantage, especially if your hand is already lacking in options or if you are forced to discard a key piece of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a mix of blue mana and generic mana, which makes it a potentially challenging fit for multicolored decks. Its specificity can restrict its viability, particularly in decks that struggle to generate the required blue mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end, Practical Research falls into a category where players must weigh its potential card draw benefit against other options available in that mana range. There are cards that cost less and may fit more seamlessly into the tempo of a game, making the comparatively high mana cost of Practical Research something to consider when deck building.


Reasons to Include Practical Research in Your Collection

Versatility: Practical Research is an adaptable card, suitable for a wide array of deck archetypes. From spell-slinger to wheel effects, its function as a draw engine is essential for decks that thrive on card advantage.

Combo Potential: The instant speed of this card allows for surprising combos, enabling the perfect set-up during an opponent’s turn and possibly leading to unexpected victories through synergy with cards that benefit from draw triggers or instant casts.

Meta-Relevance: Given the pace of the current meta where information is power, Practical Research’s ability to refill your hand is crucial, giving you the edge against creature-heavy or control-based matchups that rely on resource attrition.


How to Beat Practical Research in MTG

Overcoming Practical Research in a game of MTG involves strategically anticipating and reacting to this potent card draw spell. While it might not have the same instantaneity as other draw spells, its ability to draw up to four cards is a powerful advantage for any player able to cast it. One of the most effective tactics is to employ countermeasures that prevent your opponent from capitalizing on the excess cards, such as using discard effects to dwindle their hand size right after they refill it.

Counterspell strategies can be pivotal as well. Having an answer to Practical Research before it resolves disrupts the opponent’s momentum, preventing them from gaining card advantage. Making sure you have counter spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto ready can be the key to stopping Practical Research in its tracks.

Another approach is to pressure your opponent’s life total aggressively, forcing them to use their mana defensively rather than advancing their game plan with card draw. This change in dynamics can often provide you with the opportunity to gain the upper hand while they are busy dealing with your threats on the board. By defining the pace of the game and forcing them to react to your plays, you reduce the effectiveness of slower draw spells like Practical Research.


BurnMana Recommendations

Practical Research has defined its role in MTG as a powerful tool for card advantage and strategic maneuvering. The insights gained from this draw spell can swing matches in your favor when leveraged correctly. With the evolving game meta, understanding and adapting to new strategies is paramount. Embrace the competitive edge that comes with mastery of such cards and make sure you’re not left behind as the tactical landscape shifts. To deepen your knowledge and keep apace with the ever-changing dynamics of MTG, we encourage you to further explore and refine your deck with insights and advice from seasoned players. Dive into a world of strategy with us today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Practical Research MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Practical Research and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Practical Research has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 As Practical Research resolves, you can discard either one instant or sorcery card or discard two cards, each of which may or may not be an instant or sorcery card.