Tishana's Wayfinder MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Scout |
| Abilities | Explore |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 211 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Shreya Shetty |
Text of card
When Tishana's Wayfinder enters the battlefield, it explores. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)
"There is always another way."
Cards like Tishana's Wayfinder
Tishana’s Wayfinder fills a niche role in MTG’s roster of creature spells, inviting comparisons with other cards that combine creature presence with library manipulation. For instance, Satyr Wayfinder is a creature that also delves into the deck, albeit for land cards and with a smaller body. Tishana’s Wayfinder, with its explore mechanic, potentially draws a card and strengthens itself – an advantage over the Satyr’s guaranteed land reveal but lack of stat boost.
Merfolk Branchwalker stands in a similar camp. It boasts the explore feature as well, yet it carries with it the consistency of always being a 2/1 creature for two mana, compared to the variable nature of Tishana’s Wayfinder. Nevertheless, the potential for Tishana’s Wayfinder to become a larger threat can’t be disregarded, offering a more substantial presence on the board if luck favors the draw.
When weighing Tishana’s Wayfinder against its peers, this card holds its own by offering a blend of card selection and the opportunity for a stronger board state. Its adaptability in reacting to the top-deck can either set up future plays or immediately surprise opponents with an unexpected 3/3 for three mana, making it a valued piece in decks that enjoy a touch of unpredictability.
Cards similar to Tishana's Wayfinder by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Tishana's Wayfinder. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Domain Zoo | Modern | Domain Zoo | Modern $10K Trial - SCG CON Hartford - Friday - 1:00 pm (Silver) |
 | Azorius Spirits | Pioneer | Bant Spirits | #31 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tishana’s Wayfinder provides insight into your upcoming draws with its explore mechanic. When it enters the battlefield, you get to reveal the top card of your library, potentially drawing the card if it’s a land or putting a +1/+1 counter on Tishana’s Wayfinder if it’s not, which helps filter your deck and increases the chances of drawing into more impactful cards as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Although Tishana’s Wayfinder doesn’t directly ramp up your mana resources, the potential card draw from a revealed land can smooth out your land drops, keeping you on curve. This kind of indirect resource acceleration ensures you’re utilizing your mana efficiently every turn, maintaining pressure on your opponent while developing your board.
Instant Speed: While Tishana’s Wayfinder itself is not an instant, the explore ability can have an immediate effect on the board, and by knowing the next card in your library, the information gained can inform your decisions for plays at instant speed, which can be crucial during complex game states. This sort of foresight into whether to hold up mana for counter spells or other instant-speed interactions can be invaluable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tishana’s Wayfinder’s effect hinges on exploring, which can feel like an indirect discard requirement if a nonland card is revealed. This can deplete your hand and possibly leave you without a critical card later on.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both green and blue mana, narrowing down its flexibility. Only decks with these colors can accommodate Tishana’s Wayfinder, which could limit its playability across the broader game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one green and one blue, Tishana’s Wayfinder competes with other three-drop creatures that could potentially offer more immediate board presence or value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tishana’s Wayfinder stands out because of its adaptability. This creature fits naturally into decks that revolve around creatures, as well as strategies that focus on deck manipulation or enjoying the benefits of exploring.
Combo Potential: The card’s explore ability is not only great for setting up your draws but also works wonders in conjunction with library and graveyard synergy decks, as it can help sculpt the perfect hand while padding your graveyard for various combo enablers.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and utility in setting up your deck’s strategy, Tishana’s Wayfinder can be a solid addition to battle against fast-paced decks as well as a value play in longer, grindy matches, making it a card to consider in an ever-changing MTG meta.
How to Beat
Tishana’s Wayfinder is a utility creature that brings with it the unique ability to explore when it enters the battlefield. This means when you play Tishana’s Wayfinder, you not only get a creature on the board, but you also get to potentially draw a land card or strengthen your creature if a non-land card is revealed.
To effectively counter Tishana’s Wayfinder, one strategy is to control the timing and outcome of its explore ability. Counterspells can prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether, thereby nullifying its explore effect. Another tactic is to remove it before the ability resolves using instant-speed removal, minimizing the advantage your opponent gains. Graveyard manipulation is also a clever way to handle the aftermath of the explore mechanic, by ensuring that beneficial cards don’t stay accessible for long. Lastly, since Tishana’s Wayfinder relies on what’s on top of the library, cards that manipulate deck order can be detrimental to its efficacy, turning its ability into a disadvantage for your opponent.
By understanding the mechanics surrounding Tishana’s Wayfinder and incorporating these strategies, players can mitigate the benefits this card brings to the table, maintaining a competitive edge in their matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tishana's Wayfinder MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Tishana's Wayfinder and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tishana's Wayfinder 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tishana's Wayfinder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger “whenever a creature you control explores” trigger if appropriate. |
| 2018-01-19 | If no card is revealed, most likely because that player’s library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2018-01-19 | Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it’s done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter. |