Tolarian Winds MTG Card


It gives players the ability to swap out their hands instantly, nurturing new strategies mid-game. The need to discard can be a drawback, but facilitates various graveyard-focused tactics. Though mana-specific, its potency in adjustment and hand optimization makes it valuable.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Discard your hand, then draw that many cards.

Afterward, Tolaria's winds were like the whispers of lost wizards, calling for life.


Cards like Tolarian Winds

Tolarian Winds stands out as a unique spell in the realm of card draw and discard strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Among its brethren, it finds close comparison to cards such as Windfall. Like Tolarian Winds, Windfall involves discarding your hand, but it then compensates by drawing cards equal to the greatest number discarded by a player, which can be a game changer in multiplayer settings.

Another card with a parallel effect is Jace’s Archivist, which also equalizes the playing field by having each player discard their hand and then draw cards equal to the highest discard count. Whilst Tolarian Winds is a one-time use sorcery, Jace’s Archivist can be used repeatedly via its tap ability. Meanwhile, Forgotten Creation offers a more controlled approach to hand refreshment, allowing a discard and redraw at the beginning of your upkeep without altering your opponents’ hands.

While Tolarian Winds may not provide the potential card advantage of Windfall or the repeatable effect of Jace’s Archivist, its consistency and the element of surprise at two mana make it a notable option for decks looking to cycle through cards rapidly or capitalize on discard synergies.

Windfall - MTG Card versions
Jace's Archivist - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Creation - MTG Card versions
Windfall - MTG Card versions
Jace's Archivist - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Creation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tolarian Winds by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Flash Counter - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tolarian Winds is a valuable card for players looking to refresh their hand. By discarding your hand and drawing that many cards, you can trade in unwanted or situational cards for new opportunities, potentially gaining an edge against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Tolarian Winds does not directly accelerate resources like producing mana or tokens, it can rapidly cycle through your deck to find vital combo pieces or lands, indirectly speeding up your game plan.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Tolarian Winds at instant speed offers strategic flexibility. This means you can end your opponent’s turn with a new set of cards in hand, ready for your next move without missing a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you cast Tolarian Winds, the card compels you to discard your entire hand, which can turn into a significant drawback if you’re in a tight spot or have valuable cards that you’re not ready to give up. This can be strategically limiting and might disrupt your game plan by forcing you to lose key pieces that you would prefer to keep for later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Tolarian Winds has a mana cost that includes blue mana. This specificity requires a commitment to blue mana resources in your deck, making it less flexible for decks that are not centered around or heavily featuring blue. Players running multicolored decks might find the card restrictive if their mana base isn’t tuned to consistently produce blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At two mana, the card’s impact on the game may not align with its cost, especially when compared to other card draw or cycling options available in the game. While the instant speed of the card is useful, the price might outweigh the benefit in situations where you need to manage your resources more conservatively, or when a more impactful play could be made with the mana.


Reasons to Include Tolarian Winds in Your Collection

Versatility: Tolarian Winds serves as a crucial game accelerator for players looking to refresh their hands. It can seamlessly be incorporated into decks that thrive on cycling through cards to find the perfect combo or those that benefit from having a filled graveyard.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of powerful synergies, especially in strategies revolving around discarding cards. It pairs well with mechanics like madness or jump-start, as well as enabling reanimation tactics or graveyard-based strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a constantly shifting meta, being able to adapt your hand to counter your opponents’ moves is invaluable. Tolarian Winds offers you the chance to do just that, making it a smart addition to decks that need to pivot their strategy on the fly and stay one step ahead.


How to beat

Tolarian Winds is an intriguing card in the realm of hand disruption and card draw in Magic the Gathering. Notably, this card allows players to draw a number of cards equal to the number they discarded, setting the stage for drawing into key spells or combo pieces. It plays a significant role in decks focusing on graveyard strategies or those looking to cycle through their deck rapidly.

But how do you outmaneuver an opponent wielding such a card? Key strategies involve denying them the opportunity to capitalize on their full hand before they have the chance to execute Tolarian Winds. This can be through using hand disruption of your own, countering the spell, or implementing graveyard hate cards to mitigate the benefits they receive from discarding. Efficiency is critical as Tolarian Winds offers a surge of new cards. Thus, timely responses and preemptive plays are essential. Moreover, understanding the flow of your opponent’s deck that includes Tolarian Winds will inform your decisions on when to apply pressure and when to hold back resources.

Ultimately, while Tolarian Winds can offer a substantial advantage, it opens a window during which a savvy player can exploit their opponent’s temporary vulnerability to secure victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the winds of change in MTG can give any player an edge, and Tolarian Winds is a testament to that. If your strategy leans towards fresh hands and graveyard dynamics, this card is tailor-made for your deck. It’s crucial to weigh its benefits against the risks of discarding valuable cards. For those curious about optimizing deck performance or seeking new strategies to stay ahead of the meta, Tolarian Winds is a card to consider. Dive deeper into MTG strategy with us and discover how to wield the winds to your advantage on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tolarian Winds MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Beatdown Box Set, 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 Tolarian Winds and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tolarian Winds Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 1041997NormalBlackLawrence Snelly
22000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 161997NormalWhiteLawrence Snelly
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 105★1997NormalBlackBob Petillo
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1051997NormalWhiteBob Petillo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tolarian Winds has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 It counts how many cards you discard. Since this card will not be in your hand at that time, this card is not counted.