Visions of Beyond MTG Card


Offers a major draw for one blue mana, potentially equalling the famed Ancestral Recall’s efficiency. Versatile and synergistic in graveyard-centric decks, catalyzing powerful combos and game plans. Meta-relevant as it thrives in environments with prevalent milling and self-milling strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Draw a card. If a graveyard has twenty or more cards in it, draw three cards instead.

"The past is the foundation for all that exists in the present. We merely reconstruct what our ancestors have already discovered." —Sachimir, Sage of Memories


Cards like Visions of Beyond

Visions of Beyond has carved its niche in the realm of card draw spells in MTG, drawing an analogy to the iconic Ancestral Recall. While Ancestral Recall is famed for its efficiency, offering three cards for one blue mana, Visions of Beyond distinguishes itself with a conditional boost – it draws a player three cards only if there are twenty or more cards in a single graveyard. Otherwise, it draws just one card for the same mana cost. This conditional clause can turn it into a powerhouse in formats where graveyards fill up rapidly.

It shares space with other card-draw effects like Thought Scour, which also interacts with graveyards by milling two cards and drawing one. Thought Scour, however, doesn’t hold the potential for massive card advantage like Visions of Beyond does under the right circumstances. Another peer, Brainstorm, allows a draw of three cards for one blue mana, but it requires two cards to be put back on top of the library. It offers immediate card selection but lacks the sheer draw power of Visions of Beyond when its condition is met.

In effect, Visions of Beyond’s potential for providing considerable card advantage in certain decks makes it a standout in matchups where graveyards are a focal point, enriching the strategic depth of MTG.

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Thought Scour - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Thought Scour - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Visions of Beyond by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir MillDimir Mill ModernMillModern Challenge 64 2024-04-29
Azorius MillAzorius Mill ModernMillModern Challenge 64 2024-05-12
Mono-Blue MillMono-Blue Mill ModernMillModern Challenge 32 2024-05-11

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Visions of Beyond offers the potential to draw three cards for just one blue mana, making it an incredibly efficient way to refuel your hand and edge out opponents in terms of available resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly ramping your mana, this card can rapidly sift through your deck to find the necessary lands or spells to accelerate your game plan, thereby indirectly benefiting your resource development.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Visions of Beyond at instant speed ensures maximum flexibility, allowing players to react to an opponent’s actions or end their turn by significantly improving their hand without skipping a beat in their own strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Visions of Beyond can be a powerful draw tool, it hinges on having twenty or more cards in a player’s graveyard to unlock its maximum potential. This condition can be a notable downside in decks that do not consistently fill the graveyard, effectively making the card’s optimal use case situational.

Specific Mana Cost: Visions of Beyond requires blue mana, which necessitates its inclusion primarily in blue or blue-inclusive multicolor decks. This requirement can restrict deck-building options, preventing the card’s adoption in other types of decks that do not run blue mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In scenarios where the graveyard does not meet the threshold, drawing a single card for a single blue mana may not be the most effective use of resources. Other options in the game offer more immediate value or alternative benefits for a similar, if not lower, mana investment, making Visions of Beyond less attractive when its condition is not met.


Reasons to Include Visions of Beyond in Your Collection

Versatility: Visions of Beyond offers remarkable adaptability, sliding into multiple archetypes with ease. It shines in decks eager to stockpile their graveyards, making it a staple draw spell across various formats.

Combo Potential: This card’s true power is unveiled when reaching the threshold of twenty cards in a graveyard, transforming it into an ancestral recall. It synergizes incredibly well with strategies designed to rapidly fill graveyards, bolstering those looking for game-ending combinations.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to become a significantly cost-effective draw engine, Visions of Beyond maintains relevance in metas heavy with mill or self-milling strategies. Its presence in your arsenal ensures that you have a potent draw option tailored for matches that hinge on large graveyard counts.


How to Beat Visions of Beyond

Visions of Beyond is a powerful draw spell in Magic: The Gathering. Its potency mirrors that of the famous Ancestral Recall when the criteria of twenty or more cards in a single graveyard is met, giving the player a substantial card advantage. The comparison to Ancestral Recall here is not taken lightly – it’s one of the most efficient draw cards in the history of the game, albeit with very conditional activation for Visions of Beyond.

Defeating a strategy that includes Visions of Beyond relies on graveyard control. By limiting the number of cards that can enter the graveyard, you directly negate the card’s full potential. Cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus serve as excellent counters because they keep graveyards empty, thus preventing Visions of Beyond from reaching its maximum draw capacity. On another note, proactive discard strategies can also dismantle a hand boosted by Visions of Beyond before the cards gained from it can be utilized.

Strategy and timing are key against Visions of Beyond, so stay alert to graveyard buildup and keep your disruption tools at the ready to ensure you maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG veterans, we understand that strategic plays and the right card choices can tip the scales in your favor. Visions of Beyond stands as a beacon for those looking to maintain card flow efficiency. Its potential to unleash a torrent of cards for a minimal mana investment can be a game-changer in deck performance. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind the mechanics and scenarios where it excels. Whether you’re weaving it into a robust mill deck or using it as a flexible draw spell, this card has proven its worth in a multitude of settings. Amplify your deck’s capabilities with savvy card choices like Visions of Beyond and explore more strategies with us to stay ahead in your MTG endeavors.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Visions of Beyond MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Ultimate Masters, 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 Visions of Beyond and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Visions of Beyond Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Terese Nielsen.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-07-15Magic 2012M12 802003NormalBlackTerese Nielsen
22018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 812015NormalBlackTerese Nielsen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Visions of Beyond has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-12-07 You determine whether you’ll draw one or three cards as Visions of Beyond begins to resolve. This means that if you have nineteen cards in your graveyard and use a dredge ability to replace the one card draw, you won’t draw two more cards after that even though your graveyard now has twenty cards in it.