Stern Lesson MTG Card


Stern Lesson provides a library delve feature, gaining strategic card advantage during games. Aside from searching, it accelerates resources by obtaining lessons from the sideboard. Its instant speed allows for adaptable and opportunistic gameplay, crucial for victories.
Stern Lesson - The Brothers' War
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set nameThe Brothers' War
Set codeBRO
Number64
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLie Setiawan

Text of card

Draw two cards, then discard a card. Create a tapped Powerstone token. (It's an artifact with ": Add . This mana can't be spent to cast a nonartifact spell.")

"The brothers are brilliant, but their quarreling will be the death of me." —Tocasia, journal entry


Cards like Stern Lesson

Stern Lesson takes its place among the intriguing draw spells in the library of Magic: The Gathering aficionados. It invites comparison to cards such as Omen of the Sea. Both provide card draw options; however, Stern Lesson, has the distinct advantage of potentially ramping your mana. This capability is not present in Omen of the Sea, which focuses solely on card scrying and drawing.

Peering into the vast collection of draw spells, Accumulated Knowledge stands out with a twist. It draws cards based on the number in your graveyard, potentially providing a larger haul than Stern Lesson. However, it lacks the mana acceleration that makes Stern Lesson a dual-purpose tool. Foresee is another spell worth mentioning; it digs four cards deep, allowing for selective drawing, but again does not offer the ramping benefit Stern Lesson provides upon learning.

Ultimately, Stern Lesson holds a noteworthy position among its peers. Its dual functionality of drawing cards and providing mana acceleration upon learning makes it a unique asset for players who seek to balance their mana curve while maintaining card flow in their decks.

Omen of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Foresee - MTG Card versions
Omen of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Foresee - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stern Lesson by color, type and mana cost

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Capsize - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions
Oona's Grace - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Deluge - MTG Card versions
Stoic Rebuttal - MTG Card versions
Dissipate - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet Indomitable CreativityIzzet Indomitable Creativity PioneerIzzet Indomitable CreativityPioneer League 2024-03-26
Jeskai Indomitable CreativityJeskai Indomitable Creativity PioneerJeskai Indomitable CreativityPioneer League 2024-04-04
Izzet ControlIzzet Control StandardIzzet ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
Jeskai ArtifactsJeskai Artifacts StandardJeskai ArtifactsPro Tour Thunder Junction
Izzet CreativityIzzet Creativity PioneerIzzet Indomitable CreativityReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 12:30 pm (Bronze)
Mono-Blue ArtifactsMono-Blue Artifacts StandardMono-Blue ArtifactsTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 1, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stern Lesson allows players to delve into their library, revealing cards that can make or break their strategy in the midst of a tense match. It gives players the option to grab exactly what they need, thereby upkeep a strong card advantage over their foes.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to its searching capabilities, Stern Lesson can quite literally pay off by offering lessons from the sideboard. This opens up an unexpected lane for resource acceleration, especially when you’re in a pinch for specific answers or threats.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of this card offers flexibility and adaptability during gameplay. With Stern Lesson, you can wait until the most opportunistic moment to make a move, ensuring that every play counts towards your victory. By operating on the fly, you maintain unpredictability and pressure that can easily outpace your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stern Lesson demands that players part with another card from their hand, which could be costly during critical moments when maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a precise mana arrangement that includes blue, it necessitates a dedicated slot in blue or blue-aligned decks, potentially limiting its versatility across different playstyles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a total of three mana, including two of any kind and one blue, Stern Lesson may be outpaced by other options offering similar effects for less, thereby affecting its potential inclusion in fast-paced or mana-efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include Stern Lesson in Your Collection

Versatility: Stern Lesson offers a strategic advantage by serving dual purposes; it functions as both a mana ramp and card draw spell. It can slide into many archetypes, particularly those looking for ways to accelerate their game and improve their hand options.

Combo Potential: It has the unique ability to synergize with decks that capitalize on life gain triggers or spellslinger themes. The acquisition of lessons from outside the game also provides a toolbox approach, adapting to variable in-game scenarios.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where card advantage can tip the scales, Stern Lesson can provide that edge. In formats where lessons and learn mechanics are prevalent, having access to sideboard or outside-the-game cards can offer a significant tactical advantage against the prevalent strategies.


How to beat

Stern Lesson is a unique card in the MTG realm, presenting players with an intriguing opportunity to fuel their spell strategies. As a potent draw spell, Stern Lesson allows you to peek into the future of your deck, making card selection a critical element of your gameplay. Its combination of life loss and card advantage makes it a challenge worth facing head-on. To effectively navigate against Stern Lesson, a strategic approach is paramount.

One approach is to utilize spell counters or hand disruption techniques, curbing your opponent’s ability to gain its benefits. Disrupting their hand before they can cast Stern Lesson or countering it directly ensures that they spend mana without affecting the board state. Additionally, employing cards with lifegain abilities can offset the life loss your opponent tries to inflict, dulling the edge Stern Lesson provides. Thus, keeping a keen eye on your spells and maintaining board control can turn the tables on Stern Lesson, leveraging its potential against the caster and steering the match towards your favor.

Overall, while Stern Lesson can be a formidable card, understanding its mechanics and knowing how to minimize its impact can be the key to overpowering its strategic advantage in a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG gameplay involves more than just knowing the rules; it’s about strategies that adapt and evolve. Stern Lesson is a prime example of a card that offers more than meets the eye. With its ability to accelerate resources and provide card advantage, it’s a solid choice for players looking to optimize their deck’s performance. While navigating its pros and cons can be as complex as the game itself, the potential payoff makes it a contender for your collection. Curious to enhance your game with Stern Lesson and other pivotal cards? Dive deeper with us and expand your MTG expertise for the next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stern Lesson MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Stern Lesson and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stern Lesson has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stern Lesson card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-10-14 Although all the cards in The Brothers' War that create Powerstone tokens create a tapped Powerstone token, entering the battlefield tapped isn't part of the token's definition. Notably, if you create a token that is a copy of a Powerstone token, the token copy won't enter the battlefield tapped.
2022-10-14 Powerstone tokens are a kind of predefined token. Each one has the artifact subtype "Powerstone" and the ability ": Add . This mana can't be spent to cast a nonartifact spell."
2022-10-14 You can use the added by a Powerstone token on anything that isn't a nonartifact spell. This includes paying costs to activate abilities of both artifact and nonartifact permanents, paying ward costs, and so on.