You Come to a River MTG Card


The card’s drawing ability can significantly bolster hand size, applying pressure on the opponent. Its instant speed allows for unexpected plays and better mana utilization. Despite its benefits, the required discard and mana specifics may limit its playability.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose one — • Fight the Current — Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. • Find a Crossing — Target creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn and can't be blocked this turn.


Cards like You Come to a River

You Come to a River carves its niche into the Magic: The Gathering landscape not only as a simple cantrip but by presenting players with a strategic choice component mid-game. In the realm of forked-path cards like this, we often compare it to the charm sets—such as Boros Charm or Dromoka’s Command—for their modal versatility, though these charms tend to offer more specific options with higher impact at an increased cost.

Another card worth mentioning is Omen of the Sea, which similarly offers card draw but aligns closer to pure card selection mechanics with a scry before drawing. While You Come to a River does not afford the same level of pre-draw filtration, it compensates for that by providing a potential diversion tactic or creature enchantment alternative. Contrastingly, Impulse lets the player look deeper into their deck to select from more options, but it foregoes the interactive aspect that You Come to a River might present during pivotal gameplay moments.

Ultimately, You Come to a River offers a unique choice-driven dynamic that can be situationally advantageous, providing more than just card advantage and stands its ground within the diverse array of decision-making cards in the game.

Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Dromoka's Command - MTG Card versions
Omen of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Dromoka's Command - MTG Card versions
Omen of the Sea - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to You Come to a River 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
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - 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
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: You Come to a River provides an option to draw cards, helping to refill your hand and keep the pressure on the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers the flexibility to bounce a nonland permanent, which can potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy and tempo, giving you a significant advantage.

Instant Speed: You can cast You Come to a River at instant speed, allowing for surprise interactions during your opponent’s turn and maximizing your mana efficiency.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing You Come to a River requires you to discard a card, which can be a hindrance if your hand is already lacking in options. This cost can set you back, especially if you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands one blue mana specifically. This requirement might restrict its inclusion to decks that are heavily blue or can reliably generate blue mana, potentially excluding it from more diverse or multicolor strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, You Come to a River’s abilities may not stand up against other choices in the same slot. Its cost can be substantial in the early game, where mana efficiency is crucial, and other cards in the format could provide greater flexibility or value for a similar investment.


Reasons to Include You Come to a River in Your Collection

Versatility: You Come to a River is a multifaceted card that can be slotted into a variety of decks due to its multiple choices. It can provide either a creature defensive buff or a way to smoothly cycle through your deck, adjusting to the game’s needs as they arise.

Combo Potential: For decks that revel in casting multiple spells in a single turn or require specific card sequences, this card can be a crucial piece. Its ability to either protect a combo enabler or dig for an essential part of your strategy adds a layer of depth to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where either tempo plays or strategic set-up is key, You Come to a River holds its ground. It can thwart an opponent’s attack or help find the answers you need, making it a timely addition to any deck that aims to navigate the complex waters of the current meta.


How to beat

You Come to a River is an enchanting blue instant that can twist the course of a game in Magic: The Gathering. It provides players with a choice, offering a versatile response during tight situations. The ability to either bounce an opponents’ nonland permanent back to their hand or to pick cards from the top five of your library and put a couple into your hand truly sets this card apart from many in its class.

Beating You Come to River requires strategic foresight. As an instant card with a fairly low mana cost, it can quickly disrupt your plays or replenish your opponent’s hand when they are in need. To counter this, consider the timing of your most essential spells. Casting high-value creatures or spells when your opponent could have blue mana open for a reaction can be risky. Leverage spells that can’t be countered, or utilize discard effects to force the river card out of your adversary’s hand before it can create a turning tide. Awareness and proactive measures can help navigate the currents that this card presents. Keeping an eye on the available mana and cards in play will enable you to cross the river safely and secure victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastery in MTG is all about understanding your cards and how they interact with the evolving game state. You Come to a River is a card rich with strategic potential, offering both a way to bolster your defenses or sift through your deck for keys to victory. Know when to hold back for a surprise bounce or push forward to refill your hand. Keep refining your deck, and consider exploring cards noted for their synergy and alternatives that offer even greater control. Dive deeper into our resources to enhance your strategies and gain the edge you need to outmaneuver your opponents. Join our community of experts and enthusiasts for a deeper look into optimizing your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase You Come to a River MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 You Come to a River and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The You Come to a River Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Viko Menezes.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 832015NormalBlackViko Menezes
22022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1362015NormalBlackViko Menezes

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where You Come to a River has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 Casting this spell and choosing the Find a Crossing mode targeting an attacking creature that has already been blocked won't change or undo that block. It will still get the +1/+0 though.