Preferred Selection MTG Card


Preferred Selection offers strategic draw manipulation, giving players an edge through foresight in gameplay. Instant speed interaction enhancements allow for precise and calculated actions, maximizing each play’s impact. Despite its power, the necessity to discard and its mana requirements can limit its practical utility.
Preferred Selection - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Number233
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Text of card

At the beginning of your draw phase, look at the top two cards of your library and choose one. Put that card on the bottom of your library, or sacrifice Preferred Selection and pay o Go G to draw the card.


Cards like Preferred Selection

Preferred Selection is a unique entry in the world of green sorceries within Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to other card selection tools such as Sylvan Library, which allows players to look at the top few cards of their library each turn. Unlike Sylvan Library, Preferred Selection, with its cumulative upkeep, gives players a guaranteed draw from among the top two cards of their library every turn, albeit at an increasing cost.

Another parallel can be drawn with Mirri’s Guile, which similarly lets players organize the top three cards of their library. Yet, Preferred Selection stands out by ultimately letting the player add one of the cards to their hand. However, it is worth noting that the cumulative upkeep can make it less sustainable over time than the no-cost advantage of Mirri’s Guile.

In essence, while Preferred Selection comes with an intrinsic cost that escalates each turn, it can be a powerful tool for ensuring quality draws in the long game. This aspect puts it in a meaningful position among green’s card selection spells, balancing card advantage with the strategic planning of upkeep costs.

Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Mirri's Guile - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Mirri's Guile - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Preferred Selection by color, type and mana cost

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Primitive Etchings - MTG Card versions
Hum of the Radix - MTG Card versions
Living Lands - MTG Card versions
Titania's Song - MTG Card versions
Arboria - MTG Card versions
Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Splintering Wind - MTG Card versions
Barbed Foliage - MTG Card versions
Aluren - MTG Card versions
Sporogenesis - MTG Card versions
Defense of the Heart - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Overlaid Terrain - MTG Card versions
Rowen - MTG Card versions
Epic Struggle - MTG Card versions
Court of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Greater Good - MTG Card versions
Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions
Upwelling - MTG Card versions
Primitive Etchings - MTG Card versions
Hum of the Radix - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Preferred Selection capitalizes on granting you the upper hand by offering insight into each player’s next draw. This predictive power can potentially translate to strategic card advantage, as you skew draws in your favor or to the detriment of your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: By improving the quality of each draw, Preferred Selection indirectly accelerates your access to crucial resources. Instead of merely drawing into random cards, you’re more likely to draw into the lands or spells you need to dominate the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Preferred Selection itself isn’t an instant, it influences instant speed plays significantly. With foreknowledge of upcoming draws, you can better decide when to deploy your own instants or hold back to disrupt your opponent’s game plan, making each play more impactful.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Preferred Selection is the need to discard another card to utilize its ability. This can be particularly taxing in gameplay scenarios where your hand size is already depleted, leaving you scrabbling for options.

Specific Mana Cost: Preferred Selection comes with a stringent mana requirement that can be tricky to satisfy in a multi-colored deck. Decks that don’t consistently generate the necessary mana types may struggle to use this card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to utilizing Preferred Selection, the mana investment is significant. For decks that aim for a quick setup or fast play, the mana cost poses a considerable obstacle, potentially slowing down the pace and leaving you vulnerable to more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include Preferred Selection in Your Collection

Versatility: Preferred Selection offers flexibility to players by allowing them to manipulate the top card of their library. This can be integrated into a variety of deck archetypes which value top deck control, such as those utilizing ‘Miracle’ cards or setting up for crucial draws.

Combo Potential: As a card that influences the top of the library, Preferred Selection has the potential to combo well with cards that benefit from knowing or manipulating the top card, enhancing the power of scry mechanics or setting up the perfect draw with shuffle effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that frequently changes with the shifting meta, having access to a card that allows you to adjust your draws and react to the current game environment is valuable, making Preferred Selection a strategically sound addition regardless of the prevalence of control or aggressive decks.


How to beat Preferred Selection

Dealing with Preferred Selection in MTG involves strategic planning, as this card has the potential to sway the game with its card selection capability. To counter this card, a well-timed hand disruption spell can be decisive. Consider Thoughtseize, which not only reveals an opponent’s hand but also allows you to choose and discard a nonland card. This preemptive action can effectively neutralize Preferred Selection before it even becomes a threat on the battlefield.

Additionally, instant speed removal spells are your ally in this duel. A well-placed Abrupt Decay or Assassin’s Trophy can destroy Preferred Selection while your opponent is still choosing which card to draw. Counter spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto are also effective, halting Preferred Selection in its tracks and keeping the upper hand in card advantage. When facing this card, precision and timing are crucial. Properly leveraging these control elements in your deck can make Preferred Selection less of a concern, letting you maintain the momentum of the game in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Preferred Selection MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Preferred Selection and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Preferred Selection has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2005-11-01 This is no longer a draw, it’s simply putting the card into your hand.