Scroll of Origins MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Number	159
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dany Orizio

Key Takeaways

Gaining extra cards with Scroll of Origins can critically outpace opponents during gameplay.
It enables the conversion of large hand sizes into additional mana, accelerating your strategy.
Using Scroll of Origins at instant speed offers strategic flexibility and timely answers.

Text of card

, : Draw a card if you have seven or more cards in hand.

The words from which language sprang, the knowledge from which thought was born, the story from which history was woven.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the Scroll of Origins, you can gain a significant edge by obtaining extra cards in hand. This is essential in outmaneuvering opponents, ensuring you have the resources needed as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers a distinct advantage by transforming large hand sizes into potential mana sources. It can propel you ahead by ramping up your resources and giving you the ability to cast more impactful spells sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: The beauty of the Scroll of Origins lies in its ability to be utilized at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to adapt to the unfolding game. You can respond to your opponent’s actions, make informed decisions, and potentially draw into answers or threats exactly when needed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to the Scroll of Origins is that it requires you to discard a card in order to activate its ability. This can pose a dilemma for players who might be holding onto key pieces of their strategy or who are already at a disadvantage in terms of card advantage. Getting rid of a potentially useful card is sometimes too steep a price to pay for the effect offered.

Specific Mana Cost: While colorless mana in its cost makes it flexible, it still needs two generic mana to cast and one to activate, which means it’s not always the best choice in the early game when mana resources are still being established. This can delay the efficiency of your game plan, particularly in decks that aim for a quick setup.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The total cost to draw a card using the Scroll of Origins can be rather inefficient. You must spend three mana overall—one to activate and two to cast. Considering other cards in the MTG universe may offer card draw for less or provide additional benefits, the Scroll’s cost-benefit ratio may not always align with a deck’s needs, particularly in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include Scroll of Origins in Your Collection

Versatility: Scroll of Origins shines in various deck builds due to its simple yet effective ability to draw cards. It works well in decks that capitalize on having numerous cards in hand or require a steady flow of card draw to execute their strategies.

Combo Potential: This artifact can serve as a crucial component in combos by allowing you to convert a large hand size into additional card advantage, potentially unlocking powerful synergies in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where card advantage can be the key to success, Scroll of Origins helps keep your hand filled with options, making it a competitive choice for players who aim to outlast their opponents through superior resources.

How to beat

Overcoming the Scroll of Origins on the battlefield requires a deep understanding of its mechanics. This artifact allows players to tap into extra card draw by paying two mana and revealing a card with a higher converted mana cost from their hand. This strategic play can turn the tides by bolstering a player’s hand, but it can also be mitigated or even turned to your advantage.

The most straightforward method is to limit your opponent’s ability to amass a range of mana costs in their hand, thereby restricting the effectiveness of the scroll. Control decks that consistently force opponents to play out their hands or disrupt their draw flow can reduce the scroll’s impact. Card denial spells disrupt an opponent’s planned plays while pinpoint removal or countermagic ensures the Scroll doesn’t provide continuous value.

It’s also worth considering the tempo lost when your opponent invests mana into activating the Scroll of Origins. Astute players can capitalize on those moments, developing their own board presence or advancing their strategy while the opponent is caught in the act of setting up their draw. Keeping these tactics in mind, a player can deftly navigate around the challenges posed by the Scroll of Origins and maintain the upper hand.

Cards like Scroll of Origins

The Scroll of Origins is a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering that weaves its magic by converting cards in hand to life fueling points. It invites comparison with the likes of Mind Stone, which provides a consistent mana boost and converts into a card when you’re low on resources. While Mind Stone serves as a ramp tool and offers late-game draw, Scroll of Origins can potentially provide a more significant life gain if you’ve got a full grip of cards.

Another card to consider in line with Scroll of Origins is Book of Rass. Like Scroll, the Book offers a draw option but at the cost of life rather than providing it. This card demands considerable life payment for its benefits, thus creating a strategic balancing act for the player. Conversely, Scroll of Origins gives life instead of taking it, with the tradeoff of being dependent on a player’s hand size to optimize its effect.

Ultimately, comparing these artifacts reveals Scroll of Origins as an intriguing choice for decks that can maintain a heavy hand, beautifully aligning resource management with life-gaining strategy and shining in the late game where others may fall short.

Cards similar to Scroll of Origins by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scroll of Origins MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Scroll of Origins and other MTG cards: