River of Tears MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 179
2017-11-17 - Number 246
2022-06-10 - Number 912
2022-11-18 - Number 197
2023-10-13 - Number 1100
2023-10-13 - Number 297
2023-10-13 - Number 888
2023-10-13 - Number 509
2024-02-09 - Number 283
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool. If you played a land this turn, add to your mana pool instead.
"The Westfolk wept, and their tears wore winding rivers into the cheek of the world." —Glem the Lonebard, "Origins of Kholon"
Exploring the Depths of River of Tears
River of Tears is a land card that catches the eye for its unique mana ability in MTG. Much like its land counterparts, such as Sunken Ruins, it plays a pivotal role in mana generation. However, River of Tears has a distinctive trait that sets it apart. During the turn you play a land, it provides you with blue mana. Otherwise, it yields black mana – a dual-faceted nature not common among other lands.
Cards like River of Tears
When assessing River of Tears against other dual lands like Drowned Catacomb, it’s apparent how its immediate utility can outshine the Catacomb’s conditional entrance untapped. On the other hand, both support the crucial two-color deck strategy. Underground River also comes to mind, allowing the choice of blue or black mana at the cost of life – a significant factor in comparison to the free-flowing, condition-based mana from River of Tears.
Moreover, reflecting upon the celebrated Watery Grave, it showcases a similar function but offers a painful choice: come into play tapped or provide an immediate impact at the expense of life points. River of Tears affords flexibility without the direct life trade-off, which can be invaluable in tight gameplay situations where life totals are key.
In a world where timing and mana efficiency can make or break a game, River of Tears offers a strategic depth that is as intriguing as the land itself, striking a balance between immediate needs and future plays within the game of MTG.
Cards similar to River of Tears by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using River of Tears. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Faeries | Modern | Dimir Faeries | Modern Showcase Challenge 2024-01-06 |
 | Dimir Control | Modern | Dimir Control | Modern Challenge 64 2023-12-30 |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Modern | Dimir Scam | Nexus Game Emporium, Regional Champion Qualifier Season 2 Round 2 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: River of Tears is a versatile land that offers you flexibility in your mana usage depending on the timing of your land drop, thus potentially enhancing your card advantage. It can help you stay ahead by ensuring you have the right mana to play different spells throughout your turns.
Resource Acceleration: This card accelerates your resources by giving you instant access to two types of mana. It can produce blue mana on the turn you play it and black mana on subsequent turns, making it a dynamic addition to multicolor decks that require a stable mana base.
Instant Speed: Although not a spell, the benefit of River of Tears at instant speed comes into play indirectly. By providing a blue mana the turn it’s played, it enables the casting of instant speed spells within your arsenal without the need to tap out, keeping your options open and your plays unpredictable. On the following turn, the black mana it generates can fuel your sorcery speed threats or defenses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players must consider their current hand before using River of Tears, as its ability hinges on whether a land has been played. In certain situations, this could mean missing out on vital mana if the sequencing isn’t carefully planned.
Specific Mana Cost: River of Tears produces colorless mana or blue mana under specific conditions, which may not always align with a player’s needs, especially in multi-colored decks requiring diverse mana at various times in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although River of Tears does not have a mana cost itself, its conditional mana production can be a detriment in decks that require consistent mana availability. This makes it less favorable compared to other dual lands or lands that provide mana without conditional requirements.
Reasons to Include River of Tears in Your Collection
Versatility: River of Tears offers a unique land choice that provides two types of mana. Ideal for blue and black dual decks, it allows for a subtle mana curve adjustment depending on your play phase.
Combo Potential: The card adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability, with its ability to produce either blue or black mana. This can enable powerful combos, particularly in decks that need to carefully time their mana pool for maximum effect.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where land flexibility can make or break a game, River of Tears holds a significant place. It keeps your opponents guessing while providing you with a reliable mana base that is less vulnerable to nonbasic land hate.
How to beat
River of Tears is an intriguing land card in Magic: The Gathering that shifts its behavior depending on the timing of the land play. During the turn you play another land, River of Tears provides blue mana. However, outside of this brief window, it supplies black mana instead. This dual nature requires strategic planning to use effectively or to counteract when playing against it.
To navigate around River of Tears’ flexibility, adapt your strategy to target the limitations of your opponent’s mana base. One approach is to apply pressure during the opponent’s turn, which may force them to play lands and alter the mana River of Tears can provide. Another method is employing land destruction or control elements that either neutralize the River of Tears or limit the number of lands your opponent can play, restricting their access to the color of mana they need most at that moment.
Ultimately, understanding when and how your adversary can benefit from River of Tears’ fluctuating mana pool is key. Anticipate their plays, and adjust your tactics to keep them off balance, mitigating the advantages River of Tears could offer them in a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase River of Tears MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Iconic Masters, 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 River of Tears and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The River of Tears Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 179 | future | Normal | Black | Chris J. Anderson | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris J. Anderson | |
| 3 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 912 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris J. Anderson | |
| 4 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Commander | BRC | 197 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Chris J. Anderson | |
| 5 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 1100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Oliver Wetter | |
| 6 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 297 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Oliver Wetter | |
| 7 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 888 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Oliver Wetter | |
| 8 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 509 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Oliver Wetter | |
| 9 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 283 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris J. Anderson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where River of Tears has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering River of Tears card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-11-17 | River of Tears produces only after you've played a land, not after you've put a land onto the battlefield (such as with Evolving Wilds). |
| 2017-11-17 | The turn you play River of Tears, it will produce when tapped for mana. |