Temple of Mystery MTG Card

Scry 1 feature of Temple of Mystery refines strategies by filtering draws for better card quality. Dual mana access facilitates casting diverse spells, enhancing deck flexibility and potential combos. Despite entering tapped, the land remains relevant by contributing to strategic play and consistency.
Card setsReleased in 23 setsSee all
RarityRare
TypeLand
Abilities Scry

Text of card

Temple of Mystery enters the battlefield tapped. When Temple of Mystery enters the battlefield, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.) : Add or to your mana pool.

Cards like Temple of Mystery

Temple of Mystery holds its ground in the niche of MTG dual lands with both utility and versatility. Similar to other scry lands like Temple of Silence, it not only taps for two types of mana but also offers a scry 1 upon entering the battlefield, providing a modest deck filtering bonus. In comparison to its counterparts in the Theros set, each temple shares this commonality, but caters to different color combinations.

Breeding Pool is another comparable land that provides the same color pairing of green and blue mana. Unlike Temple of Mystery, Breeding Pool has the option to come into play untapped at the cost of 2 life—a small price for an immediate impact on the game. Then there’s Hinterland Harbor, which enters untapped if you control a Forest or an Island. While Hinterland Harbor lacks the scrying ability, it doesn’t set you back with its land comes into play tapped condition as Temple of Mystery might.

Considering the broader landscape of MTG lands, Temple of Mystery affirms its place by offering a balanced compromise between immediate availability and strategic foresight, making it a reliable choice for decks that value both mana consistency and deck manipulation.

Temple of Silence - MTG Card versions
Breeding Pool - MTG Card versions
Hinterland Harbor - MTG Card versions
Temple of Silence - MTG Card versions
Breeding Pool - MTG Card versions
Hinterland Harbor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer League 2024-04-14
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer
Lotus Field ComboLotus Field Combo PioneerHidden StringsReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Landing on the battlefield tapped, Temple of Mystery may initially seem slow, but the scry 1 ability offers a subtle edge. Peeking at the top card of your deck, you can decide whether to keep it on top or send it to the bottom, thus increasing the likelihood of drawing cards that are beneficial to your strategy. This filter mechanic can provide a consistent path to the cards you need, acting as an incremental advantage in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: As a dual land, this card contributes to resource acceleration by providing access to two types of mana – blue and green. This versatility is key in multicolored decks where mana fixing is crucial. The ability to tap for either color can be pivotal in casting impactful spells earlier than your opponents expect, which can lead to a formidable position as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Temple of Mystery itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with a strategy that includes instant-speed spells. By setting up your draws with the scry ability, you can arrange your deck to ensure you have access to instant-speed interactions when they are most needed. This makes Temple of Mystery a strategic land choice in decks that aim to operate efficiently on both their own and their opponents’ turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Temple of Mystery does not have a discard requirement, it’s important for players to consider this aspect when evaluating their mana base. Cards with discard requirements may pair unfavorably with Temple of Mystery if you’re aiming for optimal hand retention.

Specific Mana Cost: Temple of Mystery enters the battlefield tapped unless you control two or fewer other lands. This can be a setback as it requires a green and a blue mana to tap for either color, potentially clashing with decks needing a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a scry land, Temple of Mystery can be considered to have a higher opportunity cost. While the scry 1 ability upon entering the battlefield is useful, other lands or cards may provide immediate mana or other advantages at a lower cost to the deck’s tempo.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Temple of Mystery slides easily into numerous deck archetypes, particularly those looking for a smooth manabase. With its ability to scry 1 upon entering the battlefield, it assists in setting up future draws which is crucial for any deck.

Combo Potential: Being a land with an extra ability, the Temple of Mystery has the capability to be part of intricate combos. It is perfect for decks that aim to capitalize on top-deck manipulation or need to filter through their decks for key pieces.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the cards in play can shift the tide, the Temple of Mystery holds a place in the current playing field. Its subtle yet substantial scry effect can make a difference, especially in formats that favor longer, more strategic games.

How to beat

The Temple of Mystery is not just a land card in MTG, it’s a gateway to strategic depth and mana stability. Featuring in decks that run green and blue mana, this card offers a beneficial scry effect upon entering the battlefield. This seemingly simple act of looking at the top card of your deck and deciding its fate can greatly enhance the consistency of a player’s game, smoothing out draws and aiding in finding the right resources at the right times.

To gain an edge over opponents using the Temple of Mystery, it’s crucial to apply pressure early in the game. Aggressive strategies can capitalize on the fact that the Temple comes into play tapped, delaying your opponent’s optimal plays. Dismantling their mana base with cards that destroy or exile lands can be very effective as well. If you’re leading with a control archetype, countering key spells right after the scrying action can thwart pivotal plays, given that your opponent might have arranged the top of their deck expecting to draw into answers or threats.

It ultimately comes down to recognizing the brief window of opportunity the Temple of Mystery provides and crafting a strategy that leverages its entrance, exploiting the moments it aims to prepare for. With well-thought-out plays and responses, you can turn the tide against this distinctive land card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Temple of Mystery MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Temple of Mystery and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Temple of Mystery Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 538462015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 819922015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
32013-09-27TherosTHS 2262003NormalBlackNoah Bradley
42019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2552015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
52020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3892015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
62020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 2542015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
72021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3242015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
82022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 4342015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
92022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 299★2015NormalBlackEliz Roxs
102022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2992015NormalBlackEliz Roxs
112023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 4342015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
122023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 11192015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
132023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 5282015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
142023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3182015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
152023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9092015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
162023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3572015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
172024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 3032015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
182024-03-08FalloutPIP 8362015NormalBlackAlexander Forssberg
192024-03-08FalloutPIP 5222015NormalBlackAlexander Forssberg
202024-03-08FalloutPIP 10502015NormalBlackAlexander Forssberg
212024-03-08FalloutPIP 3082015NormalBlackAlexander Forssberg
222024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 3322015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
232024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 3902015NormalBlackPiotr Dura

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Temple of Mystery has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-15 Scry appears on some spells and abilities with one or more targets. If all of the spell or ability's targets are illegal when it tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't scry.
2013-09-15 When you scry, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards on the bottom of your library, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them on the bottom.
2013-09-15 You choose how to order cards returned to your library after scrying no matter where you put them.
2013-09-15 You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, that means you'll scry last. For others, that means you'll scry and then perform other actions.