Sage's Dousing MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Tribal Instant — Wizard
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Number	48
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Richard Sardinha

Key Takeaways

Card advantage through drawing makes Sage’s Dousing a strategic asset in wizard-themed blue decks.
This instant spell doubles as a resource accelerator if a wizard is in play, offsetting its cost.
Flexibility at instant speed allows for significant game pace control and surprise plays.

Text of card

Counter target spell unless its controller pays . If you control a Wizard, draw a card.

"Curse these merrows and their meddling! Since coming near the river, I can't so much as sneeze without being soaked." —Ashling the Pilgrim

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sage’s Dousing leverages the wisdom of wizards, potentially letting you peek at your opponent’s hand while drawing a card. This gives you the power to plan your strategy with more information, keeping you a step ahead.

Resource Acceleration: If you control a wizard, Sage’s Dousing can essentially become a free spell. The cost reduction feature acts as resource acceleration, potentially leaving you with more mana to invest in other spells or abilities within the same turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Sage’s Dousing at instant speed provides flexibility. You can disrupt opponents’ plays during their turn, maintaining control over the game’s pace and protecting your strategy from unexpected moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sage’s Dousing requires the player to reveal a Wizard card from their hand or else it costs three mana more. In a non-Wizard deck, this can prove to be a significant drawback, as it turns into an expensive counter unless you happen to draw into your Wizards.

Specific Mana Cost: The blue-intensive mana cost of this spell means it slots exclusively into blue-heavy or mono-blue decks. Players running a multicolor deck might find it challenging to meet the color requirements consistently, especially early in the game when mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even with a Wizard to reveal, Sage’s Dousing has a combined mana cost of three, which is on the higher end for a countermeasure. Given that blue boasts a suite of more cost-efficient counterspells, the additional ability to draw a card may not justify the mana investment, especially in formats where tempo and mana efficiency are key.

Reasons to Include Sage’s Dousing in Your Collection

Versatility: Sage’s Dousing is a versatile card as it can serve multiple roles within a blue-centered deck. Acting both as a counterspell and a draw card, it ensures that keeping mana open for interaction can also lead to card advantage if you control a wizard.

Combo Potential: With any deck that thrives on wizard synergy, Sage’s Dousing enhances that strategy by offering an additional layer of control and synergy. It can be a key piece in combos that involve controlling opponents’ spells while advancing your own board state.

Meta-Relevance: If wizards or control-style decks are prominent in the meta or if the format is heavy with instants and sorceries that need to be dealt with, Sage’s Dousing can provide a significant tactical edge. Its ability to counter key spells while contributing to your card advantage makes it a card that adapts well to diverse competitive environments.

How to beat

Sage’s Dousing is a card that can impact the game significantly by allowing the controller to potentially counter a spell and draw a card at the same time in MTG. The key to overcoming Sage’s Dousing lies in the timing and the strategic casting of spells. One approach is to play less critical spells first to bait out and deplete your opponent’s mana, reducing their capability to pay the cost for Sage’s Dousing’s trigger. Moreover, having an abundant mana supply yourself or spells with uncounterable features can diminish its power.

Consider also leveraging spells and abilities that restrict your opponent’s mana, which can make Sage’s Dousing harder to utilize effectively. Additionally, cards with split second or other abilities that protect your spells from being countered are useful in outmaneuvering Sage’s Dousing’s control attempt. Keep in mind that Sage’s Dousing is most effective when the controller has a Wizard on the battlefield; removing or neutralizing these creatures can significantly reduce the potency of this card in your matches.

Ultimately, understanding and predicting your opponent’s strategy makes all the difference. With careful planning and smart play, you can diminish the influence of Sage’s Dousing and maintain the upper hand in your game of MTG.

Cards like Sage's Dousing

Sage’s Dousing bridges the gap between counterspell and draw spell within Magic: The Gathering. Its kindred spirit might be seen in Mystic Confluence, which allows for various modes including counter and draw functions. However, Mystic Confluence provides a plurality of choices and is not confined to the tribal themes that bolster Sage’s Dousing’s impact, particularly in decks that utilize Wizards.

Condescend is another card that enters the fray, offering the ability to scry along with its countering capabilities. It brings a different strategic angle, allowing players to shape their draws, as opposed to Sage’s Dousing’s conditional draw. Another family member worth mentioning is Mana Leak. While it doesn’t provide card draw, the inexpensive mana cost and effectiveness make it an evergreen choice for countering spells early in the game.

Analyzing these options, Sage’s Dousing can be seen as a more niche card, catering to a specific strategy but offering a potent mix of disruption and card advantage when the conditions are met—illustrating that in the nuanced world of Magic: The Gathering, cards can serve unique roles based on deck construction and metagame.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sage's Dousing MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Sage's Dousing and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sage's Dousing has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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