Study Break MTG Card

Study Break - Strixhaven: School of Mages

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Learn
Released	2021-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Strixhaven: School of Mages
Set code	STX
Number	34
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cristi Balanescu

Key Takeaways

Study Break’s tap effect and Learn mechanic offer both immediate board control and potential card advantage.
Its specific mana cost and discard requirement can limit its playability in certain decks.
Amid similar control cards, Study Break stands out for creatively disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Text of card

Tap up to two target creatures. Learn. (You may reveal a Lesson card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand, or discard a card to draw a card.)

"You've been cramming all night. You're taking a nap whether you like it or not."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Study Break allows you to tap two of your opponent’s creatures, which can benefit your strategic position by disrupting their potential attacks or defenses. Moreover, this can provide an indirect card advantage by preserving your creatures from unfavorable combat and maintaining board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Notably, Study Break includes the Learn mechanic, affording you the opportunity to select a Lesson card from outside the game and put it into your hand. If you elect a Lesson that produces mana or ramps your resources, this can significantly accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Study Break can be a pivotal play during your opponent’s turn, either by interrupting their combat phase or by being the perfect reaction to the evolving state of play without sacrificing your own turn’s actions. This versatility makes it a potent addition to your deck, enabling diverse strategies and responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Study Break demands the player to discard a card to cast it. This trade-off can be particularly detrimental when a player’s hand is already depleted or when every card in hand is vital for upcoming turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a requirement for both white and green mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can consistently provide both types of mana. Players running a multicolored deck not focused on these colors might find it challenging to meet the casting conditions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Study Break’s casting cost may be considered steep for its tap-down effect alone. In fast-paced games where tempo is crucial, there might be more mana-efficient options available for controlling the board and maintaining lead.

Reasons to Include Study Break in Your Collection

Versatility: Study Break offers a unique twist for deck builders, giving players the ability to tap opposing creatures. This effect can be utilized in a variety of decks, particularly ones aiming to control the board or protect against aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is not only a tool for disruption but also contributes to your long-term game plans. By tapping creatures, it enables smoother attacks or secures a crucial turn without interference. Plus, it can synergize with cards that benefit from ‘tap’ or ‘untap’ statuses, opening up numerous combo avenues.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Study Break can serve as a tactical asset. Its ability to interrupt combat or foil an opponent’s plan is a significant advantage. Paired with its Learn mechanic, it allows players to adapt to the game flow, making it a relevant choice in various meta environments.

How to Beat Study Break

Study Break is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt opponents by tapping up to two target creatures. Moreover, it has the Learn mechanic, allowing players to fetch a Lesson card from outside the game or draw if no Lesson is available. Despite its tactical advantage, overcoming Study Break’s effect requires strategic gameplay.

To counter Study Break, instant-speed removal and creature-protection spells are effective. Having spells like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile ready can eliminate threats before your opponent taps them for value. Protecting your creatures with hexproof or indestructible effects can also render Study Break ineffective. If you anticipate an opponent’s Study Break, holding up mana for counterspells or utilizing creatures with vigilance that don’t need to tap to attack can keep your board presence strong against this tempo play. Remember that understanding the decks you face and predicting key plays like Study Break can make all the difference in maintaining the upper hand.

While Study Break offers a temporary setback, careful planning and reactive card choices can safeguard your strategy, allowing you to sidestep its disruptive effects and press the advantage in your favor.

Cards like Study Break

In the realm of tempo spells, Study Break stands out as a unique tool for players looking to gain an edge in their matches. When discussing utility, it begs comparison with cards such as Frost Breath or Blinding Beam. Frost Breath freezes two opponents’ creatures and prevents them from untapping during the next untap step, while Study Break not only taps two creatures but also offers the learn mechanic players can leverage to shape their hand by fetching a Lesson card or discarding to draw.

Examine also the similarities to Feeling of Dread which taps two creatures and comes with flashback, allowing another use from the graveyard. Study Break may lack the repeatable effect, however, what it loses in repetition, it gains in card advantage through the learn mechanic. Then we have Gridlock, capable of tapping multiple targets based on the mana spent, offering scalability that Study Break doesn’t have. Yet, Study Break’s lower cost and additional card interaction can be more impactful in a pinch.

It’s evident upon reflection that while each of these spells offers the strategic advantage of disruption, Study Break’s unique offer of tapping creatures coupled with the learn mechanic puts it in a beneficial position within the wide array of control options available to Magic: The Gathering players.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Study Break MTG card by a specific set like 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 Study Break and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Study Break has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2021-04-16	If a card is brought into the game from outside the game, it will stay in the game until it ends or until its owner leaves the game, whichever comes first.
2021-04-16	If instructed to learn, you may do nothing. Discarding a card and putting a Lesson card into your hand are both optional.
2021-04-16	If you bring a card into the game from outside the game in a Constructed tournament (or a Constructed game played under tournament conditions), you may select only a card from your sideboard. In casual Constructed games, the card comes from your collection.
2021-04-16	If you bring a card into the game from outside the game in a Sealed Deck or Booster Draft event, you may select only a card that is in the card pool that you built your deck from.