Ugin's Insight MTG Card


Offers card advantage by scrying based on permanents’ converted mana cost, then drawing three cards. Requires careful mana base management due to its blue mana intensity and five-mana cost. Potential inclusion for decks focusing on scry and high mana value permanents.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Abilities Scry

Text of card

Scry X, where X is the highest converted mana cost among permanents you control, then draw three cards.

"You speak to me of the threat of Ulamog. But do not forget: they came as three." —Ugin, to Jace Beleren


Cards like Ugin's Insight

Ugin’s Insight is a unique draw spell in MTG, allowing players to scry X, where X is the highest converted mana cost amongst permanents they control, before drawing three cards. This card finds its kin in the likes of Tidings, which also allows for a substantial draw of four cards, though it lacks the scry mechanic. The absence of scry means Tidings doesn’t offer the same level of control over upcoming draws.

We can also compare Ugin’s Insight to Precognitive Perception which provides an option to draw three cards for five mana as well. What makes this comparison interesting is Precognitive Perception’s Addendum ability that allows a player to scry three if it’s cast during their main phase. However, it lacks the scalability of Ugin’s Insight, where the scry number could far exceed three depending on the board state.

Jace’s Ingenuity is another comparable card, exact in mana cost and immediate card gain, but as with Tidings, it omits the pre-draw strategy enhancement granted by scry. Consequently, the capacity to shape subsequent turns that Ugin’s Insight offers secures its place as a notable spell among its peers in the realm of Magic: The Gathering.

Tidings - MTG Card versions
Precognitive Perception - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions
Precognitive Perception - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ugin's Insight by color, type and mana cost

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Library of Lat-Nam - MTG Card versions
Psychic Transfer - MTG Card versions
Balance of Power - MTG Card versions
Cruel Fate - MTG Card versions
Temporal Manipulation - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Memories - MTG Card versions
Brilliant Plan - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Reverse Engineer - MTG Card versions
Invoke the Winds - MTG Card versions
Essence Fracture - MTG Card versions
Rush of Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Temporal Fissure - MTG Card versions
Bribery - MTG Card versions
Acquire - MTG Card versions
Petals of Insight - MTG Card versions
Heed the Mists - MTG Card versions
Ribbons of the Reikai - MTG Card versions
Reduce to Dreams - MTG Card versions
Tidings - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ugin’s Insight is pivotal in ensuring you come out ahead in terms of cards in hand, allowing you to scry X, where X is the highest converted mana cost among permanents you control, then draw three cards. This substantial draw ability can turn the tide by stocking up your options.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly create mana like some spells, the scry mechanism helps sift through your deck to find the resources you need more efficiently, fueling your game plan and accelerating your access to key components.

Instant Speed: Although Ugin’s Insight is a sorcery, anticipating the right moment for its cast generates strategic advantages, aligning with the instant-speed dynamics that dominate competitive formats. Timing this sorcery when your board is developed can ensure maximal gain.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ugin’s Insight necessitates a certain board state to optimize its effect, compelling you to shape your gameplay around it. If your setup isn’t ideal, you may find yourself at a disadvantage, as expecting to have a high converted mana cost (CMC) permanent to scry for significant value can often be a risky gamble. This can be particularly challenging when facing aggressive decks that don’t give you enough time to establish the precondition for a rewarding scry.

Specific Mana Cost: Ugin’s Insight asks for a triple blue mana commitment, which can sometimes be tough to achieve, especially in multicolored decks. Being heavy on blue can skew the mana base of your deck, potentially making it less consistent in producing the varied mana needed for other spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, including three blue mana, Ugin’s Insight sits at a higher level on the mana curve. This makes it susceptible to being outpaced by lower-cost cards that provide immediate card advantage or affect the board. In a game where tempo can be pivotal, spending a full turn casting Ugin’s Insight might be a luxury you cannot afford against swift and efficient strategies. Moreover, other card-drawing options available in the mana pool might yield similar or better results without the steep mana investment or the dependency on the board state.


Reasons to Include Ugin’s Insight in Your Collection

Versatility: Ugin’s Insight serves a flexible role in decks that emphasize scrying and card advantage. Its ability to organize upcoming draws ensures that you’re well prepared for future turns, making it a solid fit in a variety of blue-focused control and combo setups.

Combo Potential: This spell’s power to scry X where X is the highest converted mana cost among permanents you control, then draw three cards, sets the stage for potentially game-altering combos. It synergizes well with decks that have high-cost spells or creatures, exploiting their presence for extensive deck manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: Given that card advantage is perennially valuable in the shifting metagame, Ugin’s Insight could provide the upper hand against opponents, especially in formats where blue-based control or combo decks are thriving. Its ability to fill your hand with options keeps it relevant across various MTG formats.


How to beat

Ugin’s Insight is a powerful spell that can swing the game by providing substantial card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. The key to overcoming Ugin’s Insight often lies in maintaining pressure and minimizing the opponent’s opportunity to leverage the scry and draw mechanics effectively. Denying your opponent the calm board state they need to benefit fully from Ugin’s Insight’s potential is crucial.

Interaction is also paramount. Counterspells, hand disruption, and spells that restrict the opponent from casting big sorceries prevent the setup Ugin’s Insight requires. Cards like Thoughtseize or Negate can disrupt an opponent’s plan before Ugin’s Insight even hits the board. Moreover, applying constant pressure can force your opponent to deal with your threats instead of setting up for their card draw. Aggressive strategies can outpace the slow value gain from Ugin’s Insight, making it less impactful when it does resolve.

Remember that monitoring your opponent’s mana and holding back disruption for when you suspect Ugin’s Insight can play a significant role in negating its advantage. Through strategic play and proper timing, this potent spell can be effectively managed and defeated in the MTG arena.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ugin’s Insight holds the key to drawing the full potential from your MTG deck. By facilitating a powerful scry and draw combo, this card is essential in sculpting your hand for future turns. If you aim to stay ahead of the metagame or give your blue-centric strategies an extra edge, consider integrating Ugin’s Insight into your collection. It’s an asset for control and combo architects alike, assuring that the right resources are at your fingertips. Keen to refine your deck with Ugin’s Insight and harness its full power? Learn how this card can revolutionize your playstyle and elevate your game by joining us for more insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ugin's Insight MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Battle for Zendikar 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 Ugin's Insight and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ugin's Insight Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-10-02Battle for ZendikarBFZ 872015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22015-10-02Battle for Zendikar PromosPBFZ 87s2015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
32024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 1962015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ugin's Insight has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-08-25 If X is 0, you won’t scry at all. Any abilities that trigger whenever you scry won’t trigger.
2015-08-25 Use the highest converted mana cost among permanents you control as Ugin’s Insight resolves to determine how many cards you scry.