Solve the Equation MTG Card


Solve the Equation offers consistent access to instants or sorceries, enhancing strategic gameplay. It ensures preparedness, providing options and promoting efficient mana use during your turn. Demands precise player timing, due to its sorcery speed, to maximize its potential on the game.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Search your library for an instant or sorcery card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.

Zimone's brilliance drew attention from many, including the sinister mages known as the Oriq.


Cards like Solve the Equation

Solve the Equation is a noteworthy tutor card in Magic: The Gathering that stands out for its ability to search a library for an instant or sorcery card, effectively increasing the predictability and consistency of a player’s deck. When considering its peers, Merchant Scroll comes to mind, allowing players to fetch blue instant cards specifically, though it does restrict the color which can be a limitation compared to the broader search parameters of Solve the Equation.

Pondering further, we come across Mystical Tutor, another strong comparison due to its similar tutor capability. Mystical Tutor holds an advantage with its lower casting cost and the fact that it’s an instant, giving players flexibility to act during an opponent’s turn. However, it places the card on top of the library rather than into the hand like Solve the Equation does. This requires an additional step to draw the card, potentially delaying the player’s strategy.

Through analyzing the strengths and trade-offs of these tutor spells in the game, Solve the Equation offers a reliable and versatile option for players looking to secure their key spells directly into their hand, even though its sorcery speed and cost are points for strategic consideration.

Merchant Scroll - MTG Card versions
Mystical Tutor - MTG Card versions
Merchant Scroll - MTG Card versions
Mystical Tutor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Solve the Equation. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Omni-TellOmni-Tell LegacyOmni-TellLegacy League 2024-04-14
Sultai ComboSultai Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024
Temur ComboTemur Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Four-color MidrangeFour-color Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024
Izzet ComboIzzet Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Temur ControlTemur Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024
Bant ControlBant Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Sultai Some Brand of CerealSultai Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Solve the Equation bolsters your strategic edge by allowing you to search your library for an instant or sorcery card. This not only hones your game plan but also mitigates the fluctuations in your draw, ensuring you have access to the spells you need when you need them.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating mana, Solve the Equation ensures you find key pieces to unlock powerful spell combinations ahead of time. By retrieving essential spells from your deck, it accelerates your resources in terms of options and preparedness rather than raw mana.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Solve the Equation demands careful timing. It allows players to use their mana efficiently during their main phase, freeing them up to cast the tutored spells at optimal moments. This deliberate use of turns can stream into a cascade of well-timed plays that enhance board position and pressure opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Solve the Equation enables you to search for an instant or sorcery card, it requires you to have a specific card type in your hand to maximize its utility. This can become a setback if you’re facing an empty hand or you need to keep key cards for later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity to pay both blue mana can complicate your game if you’re running a multicolored deck that may not consistently produce blue mana, potentially stranding Solve the Equation in your hand when you need to cast it most.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its mana cost of two blue and one colorless, it offers no immediate board impact, which can be costly during fast-paced games where tempo is crucial. Other cards at a similar cost may provide more immediate benefits or flexibility. Thus, Solve the Equation often competes for deck space with spells that either influence the battlefield directly or provide cheaper card selection.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Solve the Equation is a utility spell that seamlessly slots into a variety of blue-based decks. Its ability to search for a critical instant or sorcery ensures that it can adapt to multiple game strategies, whether you’re seeking an answer to a threat or the key piece for your combo.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that aim to assemble powerful synergies. It finds combo pieces reliably, acting as a linchpin that brings your strategic vision to reality. When timing and precision are key, Solve the Equation helps connect the dots.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, having access to the right spells at the right time can be the difference between victory and defeat. Solve the Equation has carved out a niche in formats where knowing and responding to popular strategies is crucial. It’s a valuable tool for staying one step ahead of the competition.


How to beat

Solve the Equation is a unique spell in MTG, granting players the ability to search their library for an instant or sorcery card. Its utility lies in the flexibility it offers, from digging out a solution for board threats to nabbing a key piece for a combo. To effectively counter this card, one must apply disruption at the opportune moment. Dispel is a direct route, countering Solve the Equation as it attempts to work its magic.

Another effective strategy involves utilizing cards that limit searches such as Ashiok, Dream Render, which not only prevents searching libraries but also exiles the opponent’s graveyard. Hand disruption spells, such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, can preemptively remove the card from the player’s hand before it can be cast, thus preserving your strategic position. Graveyard interaction is another angle; cards like Tormod’s Crypt can render any efforts to recur Solve the Equation from a graveyard futile.

When facing a card with the sheer versatility of Solve the Equation, foresight and timing are critical. Implementing these countermeasures can effortlessly turn the tide of the game in your favor and dismantle an opponent’s carefully laid plans.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unraveling the potential of Solve the Equation in your MTG collection can sharpen your gameplay and strategy, ensuring you uphold a strong position across the board. Our in-depth analysis showcased the card’s capability to fetch vital spells, pivot your game plan, and adjust to the shifting metagame. If you’re passionate about anchoring your deck with versatility and keen on maintaining a tactical advantage, this card is a worthy contender. Delve deeper into deck-building tips, gather insights for optimal card interactions, and refine your strategic acumen with us. Engage with fellow enthusiasts and discover the nuances that make Solve the Equation an essential component in your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Solve the Equation MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Solve the Equation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Solve the Equation Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-12-02 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10222015NormalBlackRyo Kamei
22021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 542015NormalBlackLie Setiawan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Solve the Equation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal