Expedition Diviner MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Wizard |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2020-09-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Zendikar Rising |
| Set code | ZNR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 57 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Heonhwa Choe |
Key Takeaways
- Expedition Diviner provides card advantage by drawing a card upon death in wizard decks.
- With a four mana cost, it’s a flexible addition to the field, fostering early plays.
- Card-drawing at instant speed can be advantageous during either player’s turn.
Text of card
Flying As long as you control another Wizard, Expedition Diviner has "When this creature dies, draw a card."
Wizards' spells twist the fabric of reality to channel elemental energies, peer into the future, and even calm the Roil.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Expedition Diviner enables players to maintain hand consistency by drawing a card when it dies, provided you control another wizard. This synergizes well with wizard tribal decks, giving them a significant edge.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting resources, Expedition Diviner’s modest mana cost of four allows for a quick deployment on the battlefield, effectively giving players more flexibility to cast other spells sooner in the game.
Instant Speed: Its ability to draw a card upon death can be triggered on either player’s turn. Given its flying ability, opponents might be forced to remove it in their turn, potentially drawing you a card at instant speed, thus not losing tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Expedition Diviner requires a card to be discarded for its ability to trigger, potentially draining your hand and leaving fewer options for future plays.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a blue-centric mana cost, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck types, particularly those that are mana-diverse or heavily reliant on other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands four mana, inclusive of two blue mana symbols, this card competes with other spells at similar cost points which could impact the overall tempo of your gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Expedition Diviner offers a stable inclusion in any blue-based deck strategy. Its flying ability gives it a solid presence in the air, making it a reliable blocker or an evasive threat against opponents.
Combo Potential: With its card draw capability upon death if you control another wizard, Expedition Diviner can synergize with decks that focus on wizard tribal or those that capitalize on drawing cards for various beneficial interactions.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta oscillates between fast-paced aggro and sluggish control decks, Expedition Diviner’s modest mana cost and protective card draw mechanic ensure that it remains a pertinent choice for many players looking to maintain card advantage and board presence.
How to beat
Expedition Diviner is a card that holds a unique position on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a 3/2 flying Wizard, it can be a persistent nuisance in the skies, dealing consistent damage. One of its standout features is its ability to protect itself; if you control another Wizard, Expedition Diviner will grant itself protection by negating the next instance of damage when it would be dealt damage for the first time each turn.
This ability to self-shield makes it especially tricky to remove through combat. To effectively counter Expedition Diviner, consider using removal spells that bypass its protection ability. Spells that don’t deal damage, but instead provide effects like exile or forced sacrifice, can be effective. Spot removal such as ‘Path to Exile’ or ‘Fatal Push’ (under the right conditions), as well as edict effects like ‘Diabolic Edict’ can be efficient ways to remove the Diviner without triggering its damage prevention ability. In a match where the board state allows, blocking with creatures that have death-touch or using spells that cause all creatures to be sacrificed can also be a tactical way to clear the Diviner from the board.
Leveraging these strategies can help maintain control over the board and prevent the Expedition Diviner from providing incremental value and advantage to your opponent.
Cards like Expedition Diviner
Expedition Diviner brings its own flavor to the array of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This card reminds seasoned players of classics like Cloudkin Seer but with a notable twist in gameplay dynamics. Where Cloudkin Seer allows for card draw upon entering the battlefield, Expedition Diviner requires a slightly different condition to unlock its potential—a party member’s presence to draw a card upon death.
Windreader Sphinx emerges as another kin to Expedition Diviner, offering card draw every time a creature with flying attacks. However, this comes at a higher mana cost and provides more consistency in card advantage. This makes Windreader Sphinx a powerhouse in decks that heavily feature flying creatures, contrasting with Expedition Diviner’s situational yet cost-effective advantage.
In assessing these comparisons, Expedition Diviner stands out for its balanced cost and party mechanic synergy. It’s an excellent pick for players favoring decks that exploit party dynamics or who enjoy tactical plays involving card advantage through creature interactions. While its flying kin offer varied benefits, Expedition Diviner carves out its own niche within the Magic: The Gathering landscape.
Cards similar to Expedition Diviner by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Expedition Diviner MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Expedition Diviner and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Expedition Diviner 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 Expedition Diviner card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-09-25 | Expedition Diviner has just one instance of its triggered ability, no matter how many other Wizards you control beyond the first. |
| 2020-09-25 | If Expedition Diviner dies at the same time that each other Wizard you control leaves the battlefield, its ability triggers. For example, if the only creatures you control are two Expedition Diviners and both die at the same time, their abilities each trigger. |
