Scatter to the Winds MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 85s
2015-10-02 - Number 85
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Awaken |
Text of card
Counter target spell. Awaken 3— (If you cast this spell for , also put three +1/+1 counters on target land you control and it becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste. It's still a land.)
Cards like Scatter to the Winds
Scatter to the Winds is a versatile counter spell in Magic: The Gathering, occupying a unique position among its peers. It’s akin to classical spells like Cancel, which straightforwardly counters any spell for a cost of three mana. Scatter to the Winds takes this a notch higher with its awaken mechanic, giving players an additional option to turn a land into a creature with three +1/+1 counters for six mana. Comparatively, Cancel offers no extra upside beyond the initial counter.
Considering other similar spells, Dissolve comes to mind. It also counters any spell at the same mana cost, but it lets the player scry 1, refining their next draw. While the scrying ability is valuable, it lacks Scatter to the Winds’ potential to alter the battlefield state substantially. Then there’s Cryptic Command, offering even more flexibility with its four different modes. Nevertheless, its higher mana cost and specific color requirement can make it less accessible in some decks.
When evaluating the quality and adaptability of counter spells available, Scatter to the Winds holds a significant place, providing both immediate disruption and a potential late-game threat through its awaken ability.
Cards similar to Scatter to the Winds by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Scatter to the Winds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Control | Legacy | MO78#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scatter to the Winds offers a unique twist on the conventional counterspell by providing the option to Awaken. If you have the mana available, not only do you counter a troublesome spell, but you also transform a land into a formidable creature, effectively adding another threat to your board and advancing your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Scatter to the Winds itself does not directly accelerate resources, the Awaken mechanic it features can turn a mere land into an asset that contributes to your offensive strategy. This dual utility ensures your mana investment isn’t solely focused on negation but also on future board impact, potentially saving you from having to commit additional resources to develop your battlefield later on.
Instant Speed: The power of Scatter to the Winds is greatly amplified by its instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react and adapt during your opponent’s turn. Not only can you disrupt their plans at a critical moment, but you can also choose the opportune moment to strengthen your position by Awakening and taking them by surprise with a sudden creature on the field.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Scatter to the Winds does not have a discard requirement, players must be wary of card advantage when considering counterspells. Using this spell eliminates a potential threat at the cost of one card from your hand, potentially putting you behind in the card advantage race.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires one blue and two other mana to cast. The specific need for blue mana means it fits best in decks with a strong blue mana base, limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Scatter to the Winds competes with other spells in its mana range. In some situations, players might find other counterspells like “Mana Leak” or “Negate,” which are lower in casting cost and can provide more flexibility for a player’s mana during their turn.
Reasons to Include Scatter to the Winds in Your Collection
Versatility: Scatter to the Winds offers more than a mere counterspell. With its Awaken ability, it can transform a land into a creature, making it a dual-purpose card that fits in control decks and those seeking to have an extra attacker or blocker.
Combo Potential: As a counterspell with upside, it works well in decks that aim to control the game and gradually gain advantage. It can also synergize with decks that care about land creatures or elemental interactions, adding layers to your in-game strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its flexibility and strength as a disruption tool, Scatter to the Winds remains relevant in match-ups that lean towards longer games where countering key spells and establishing a board presence can dictate the pace and outcome of the game.
How to beat
Scatter to the Winds brings versatility and control to a player’s arsenal within Magic: The Gathering. As a counterspell with the added ability to awaken a land when its awaken cost is paid, it can pivot a game in your favor. Beating this card involves a strategic approach. It’s crucial to bait out the counterspell with less critical spells before casting your game-winning moves. Knowing your opponent’s mana pool is vital as well; capitalizing on moments when they’re tapped out or low on mana can make your spells more likely to resolve.
Alternatively, play cards that can’t be countered, ensuring your key spells aren’t vulnerable to such interference. Lastly, employing spells that grant hexproof to your spells or using spells that punish your opponent for casting noncreature spells can weaken the effectiveness of Scatter to the Winds. Winning against this card means thinking one step ahead and making each play with the potential of a counter in mind. It’s a dance of precision and prediction.
In essence, overcoming Scatter to the Winds is more about the mental game and timing than simply overpowering it. It requires careful consideration of each action taken during gameplay to ensure success in your match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scatter to the Winds MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar Promos and Battle for Zendikar, 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 Scatter to the Winds and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Printings
The Scatter to the Winds Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2015-10-02. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar Promos | PBFZ | 85s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 2 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 85 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scatter to the Winds has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scatter to the Winds card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | Awaken doesn’t give the land you control a color. As most lands are colorless, in most cases the resulting land creature will also be colorless. |
| 2015-08-25 | If a spell with awaken has multiple targets (including the land you control), and some but not all of those targets become illegal by the time the spell tries to resolve, the spell won’t affect the illegal targets in any way. |
| 2015-08-25 | If the non-awaken part of the spell doesn’t require a target and you cast the spell for its awaken cost, then the spell won’t resolve if the target land you control becomes illegal before the spell resolves (such as due to being destroyed in response to the spell being cast). |
| 2015-08-25 | If the non-awaken part of the spell requires a target, you must choose a legal target. You can’t cast the spell if you can’t choose a legal target for each instance of the word “target” (though you only need a legal target for the awaken ability if you’re casting the spell for its awaken cost). |
| 2015-08-25 | The land will retain any other types, subtypes, or supertypes it previously had. It will also retain any mana abilities it had as a result of those subtypes. For example, a Forest that’s turned into a creature this way can still be tapped for . |
| 2015-08-25 | You can cast a spell with awaken for its mana cost and get only its first effect. If you cast a spell for its awaken cost, you’ll get both effects. |