Magus of the Scroll MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set name	Time Spiral
Set code	TSP
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	169
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Provides card selection at instant speed, enhancing game control and unpredictability.
Demands red mana and card reveal, potentially limiting deck integration and strategy.
Can serve multiple roles, from damage dealing to board control, in various strategies.

Text of card

, : Name a card. Reveal a card at random from your hand. If it's the named card, Magus of the Scroll deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Magus of the Scroll gives you potential access to repeatable card selection, filtering through your deck to find the key cards you need while controlling the flow of the game. By effectively using the ability, you can indirectly increase your hand quality over time.

Resource Acceleration: This red-aligned creature can put pressure on your opponents without committing additional cards from your hand. By using its activated ability, you’re not expending extra resources, thereby accelerating your strategic impact on the game while preserving the cards in your hand.

Instant Speed: The capability to activate Magus of the Scroll’s ability at instant speed means that you can wait until the most opportune moment within the turn cycle. Optimal use of this instant-speed function can disrupt your opponent’s plans and make your plays less predictable.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Magus of the Scroll requires you to reveal a card and therefore potentially forfeit the element of surprise or strategic advantage that comes with holding cards close to your chest. This can also diminish your hand, leaving you more vulnerable to disruption.

Specific Mana Cost: Although it has a low casting cost, Magus of the Scroll’s ability requires red mana. This can be restrictive since integrating it seamlessly into decks that aren’t heavily red-dependent might be challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its initial low cost, consistent use of Magus of the Scroll’s ability demands a significant and continuous mana investment. Over time, it’s possible that this mana could be better spent on other cards or abilities offering greater board presence or impact.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magus of the Scroll offers a flexible tool for any deck, serving multiple roles from controlling the board to securing the final points of damage. Its ability to selectively deal damage makes it a valuable asset in both aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks focused on untapping mechanics or those that manipulate the top card of the library, ensuring you always have the right card in hand to activate its ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where one-for-one removal is crucial, Magus of the Scroll stands out as a repeatable source of targeted damage, disrupting your opponent’s gameplan while keeping cards in hand for your own tactical plays.

How to Beat Magus of the Scroll

Magus of the Scroll serves as a formidable tool for controlling the board in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to potentially deal damage to any target by successfully naming a card draws comparisons to the fabled Cursed Scroll. To counteract this strategic advantage, effective measures need to be taken.

Removal spells are key. Instant-speed options like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently remove Magus of the Scroll before it activates its ability. Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism also prevent the activation without needing to remove the creature from the battlefield. Board wipes remain an all-encompassing solution, though timing them can be crucial to avoid overextending.

Disrupting the opponent’s hand through discard spells or hand-scrying effects diminishes their capability to utilize Magus of the Scroll’s ability to its fullest. On a more proactive front, aggressive strategies can exert pressure and prioritize dealing with threats that, if left unchecked like Magus of the Scroll, can control the pace and outcome of the game. Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of ther hand, your reactive cards, and maintaining board presence lead to a decisive stance against Magus of the Scroll.

Cards like Magus of the Scroll

Magus of the Scroll serves a unique niche in MTG, leveraging a player’s ability to guess cards correctly for precision damage. This card bears similarity to Prodigal Sorcerer, affectionately termed “Tim,” due to its capability to ping creatures or players. Unlike the Sorcerer’s guaranteed damage, the Magus’s ability hinges on successfully calling the top card of your library.

Seal of Fire presents another parallel, offering direct damage to any target. While Seal of Fire is a one-use enchantment, Magus of the Scroll can repeatedly deal damage, though it requires a specific set-up to execute. Comparatively, Cunning Sparkmage also allows for repeated damage but must tap to activate, similarly to Magus of the Scroll, though without the guesswork involved.

Assessing the synergy and role within a deck, Magus of the Scroll potentially delivers more than just damage. Its ability to manipulate and guess cards can be advantageous in decks tailored around library and hand knowledge, distinguishing it from other damage-dealing cards in MTG.

Cards similar to Magus of the Scroll by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Scroll MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Magus of the Scroll and other MTG cards: