Sensei's Divining Top MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Artifact |
Text of card
: Look at the top three cards of your library, then put them back in any order. : Draw a card, then put Sensei's Divining Top on top of its owner's library.
Cards like Sensei's Divining Top
Situated amongst some of the best artifact cards in Magic: The Gathering, Sensei’s Divining Top holds its ground with a unique draw ability. It’s closely akin to cards like Crystal Ball and Soothsaying. Though these cards share a similar goal, they operate quite differently. For instance, Crystal Ball may seem like a marginally enhanced Divining Top due to scrying two cards deeper, but the ‘Top can actually look at the cards and rearrange them.
On another axis, we find Soothsaying with its unlimited scry potential. Of course, unlimited doesn’t mean free, as it does cost mana per card to scry. This is where Sensei’s Divining Top takes the route of efficiency, with no additional mana cost but limited scry options. Yet, its low cast and activation cost, along with the card draw option, give Sensei’s Divining Top a solid stability across games.
In summary, after deconstructing each card’s nuances, Sensei’s Divining Top stands firm in Magic: the Gathering’s pantheon of top-tier artifacts. Despite other contenders, its unique blend of abilities and economy of resources gives it a captivating edge.
Cards similar to Sensei's Divining Top by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sensei's Divining Top. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Turbo Vault | Vintage | Turbo Vault | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Beseech Storm | Vintage | Beseech Storm | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Jewel Shops | Vintage | Jewel Shops | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | |
Esper Tempo | Vintage | Blue Tempo | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Oath of Druids | Vintage | Oath of Druids | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | |
Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage | Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Grixis Underworld Breach | Vintage | Underworld Breach | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | |
Mardu Initiative | Vintage | Mardu Initiative | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-11 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sensei’s Divining Top, known as one of the most iconic constructs in Magic, excels at providing a constant flow of card advantage. Its ability to look at the top three cards of your library and rearrange them translates into finding the best options for any scenario.
Resource Acceleration: With its low casting cost of one mana, Sensei’s Divining Top accelerates your resources by allowing you to optimize your draws. It provides the player with the power to manage their resources more efficiently without spending excess mana.
Instant Speed: By having the innate ability to spin itself to the top of your library at instant speed, Sensei’s Divining Top can protect itself from most threats. This allows players to use their mana for other spells, knowing they can activate the Top’s abilities whenever they need.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Sensei’s Divining Top requires you to pay one mana and tap the card in order to use its ability – an action equivalent to discarding a card. This can be disadvantageous in circumstances where mana is in short supply or you want to keep your card untapped for potential use against an opponent’s move.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation cost is colorless, but it has an additional cost of drawing a card then placing Sensei’s Divining Top on top of your deck. This may limit its usage in decks that rely heavily on particular colors or have limited draw power.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When taking into consideration the card’s ability to rearrange the top three cards of your deck, it offers limited immediate impact for your mana investment. There are alternatives in the game that might provide more immediate benefits or control for the same or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Sensei’s Divining Top fits into various deck types due to its unprecedented ability to control the top three cards of your deck. This gives you control over your immediate future draws, making it adaptable to almost any situation.
Combo Potential: Consider this card’s potential in combo decks. By using the Top and other cards like Counterbalance or Future Sight, you can create deadly control suites that will put your opponents to the test.
Meta-Relevance: In MTG worlds where control or combo strategies dominate, the information advantage provided by the Sensei’s Divining Top becomes incredibly valuable. You’ll always know what’s coming, enabling you to formulate strategies that will keep you ahead in the game.
How to Beat
Sensei’s Divining Top, a prominent card in MTG due to its unique ability to manipulate a player’s upcoming draws. This artifact power can significantly drive a game to your favor, providing a strategic edge. However, every card has a counteraction, and taking down Sensei’s Divining Top is no piece of cake, but it can be done.
Firstly, artifacts disruption is a key plan. Opt for cards like Smelt or Shatterstorm, knowing that they have immense potential to destroy this artifact swiftly and effectively. Secondly, the use of instant spells to counter timing is a valuable tactic. Utilize Krosan Grip, for example, it interrupts the activation and can’t be responded to, making the removal of Sensei’s Divining Top a surefire success.
Thirdly, if your aim is damage control, use cards such as Pithing Needle or Phyrexian Revoker to suppress the Top’s activation. Ultimately, dealing with Sensei’s Divining Top lies in agile decision making and the precise application of negation and removal. Be vigilant, anticipate, adapt and overthrow the card, and you could become a formidable opponent in the arena of MTG.
BurnMana Recommendations
Diving into the nuances of Sensei’s Divining Top reveals its profound impact on gameplay in the MTG realm. While considering its pros, cons, and notable traits, MTG enthusiasts like you understand that this card is more than a mere tool; it’s an intricate piece that can orchestrate victories. It complements various strategies and counters diverse threats, making it a quintessential addition to your collection. However, it’s also essential to understand its vulnerabilities and adapt your play to exploit them. We invite you to expand your knowledge and strategies with us. Unravel the complexities of Sensei’s Divining Top and other pivotal cards by continuing your quest with BurnMana, where mastery meets the magic of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sensei's Divining Top MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Champions 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 Sensei's Divining Top and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Sensei's Divining Top Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 102327 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | ||
2 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 268 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
3 | 2009-08-28 | From the Vault: Exiled | V09 | 10 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
4 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 232 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
5 | The List | PLST | EMA-232 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | ||
6 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 398 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Greg Staples | |
7 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 314 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
8 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 566 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sensei's Divining Top has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Banned |
Modern | Banned |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Banned |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sensei's Divining Top card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2016-06-08 | If Sensei’s Divining Top leaves the battlefield while its second ability is on the stack, you’ll draw a card and leave Sensei’s Divining Top in the zone it’s moved to. |
2016-06-08 | Sensei’s Divining Top’s second ability may be activated in response to its first ability. If so, you’ll draw a card, put Sensei’s Divining Top on top of your library, and then look at the top three cards and rearrange them. |