Long-Term Plans MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Long-Term Plans excels in deck manipulation, offering a predictable draw for strategic advantage.
  2. Its versatility and combo potential make it a valuable asset for diverse deck strategies.
  3. Countering Long-Term Plans involves disrupting the library order or applying game pressure.

Text of card

Search your library for a card, shuffle your library, then put that card third from the top.

"Wait, it'll come to me in a minute."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Long-Term Plans grants a unique way to search for any card in your library, ensuring you get exactly the card you need for future turns. This strategic deck manipulation can lead to a significant advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Although not immediately evident, this card sets the stage for resource acceleration by securing the tools necessary for dynamic plays, allowing you to plan several turns ahead.

Instant Speed: The ability to use this card at instant speed is crucial. It offers flexibility in gameplay, allowing you to respond to opponents’ actions and make informed decisions based on the evolving game state without sacrificing the tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Long-Term Plans necessitates the strategic timing of hand content, as failing to hold valuable cards for the search aspect may hinder optimal gameplay, potentially putting players at a disadvantage if they are already struggling with card availability.

Specific Mana Cost: Long-Term Plans costs one blue and two generic mana, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that prioritize mana flexibility or heavily feature other colors, thereby reducing its overall adaptability within the diverse MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for setting up future draws, players might find the upfront investment for Long-Term Plans less appealing when passive draw engines or lower-cost tutor options are available, which could lead to a more immediate and impacting board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Long-Term Plans offers a unique way to search for any card in your deck, subtly circumventing typical tutor restrictions. This flexibility makes it a fine addition to various decks that require specific pieces to execute their strategies effectively.

Combo Potential: This card allows you to set up game-winning combos by fetching crucial components while still giving you enough time to prepare your plays. Its sneakiness can outwit opponents who won’t see the key card coming until it’s too late.

Meta-Relevance: As metas shift towards more interactive and longer games, Long-Term Plans becomes increasingly pertinent. It ensures you have access to answers or threats three turns down the road, aligning perfectly with control or combo decks that strive to outlast their opponents.


How to beat

Long-Term Plans is an interesting card in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to manipulate their library for a strategic advantage. Essentially, the card lets you search your library for any card and place it third from the top. This sets you up for predictable draws but it also creates an opportunity for opponents to disrupt your plan.

The key to beating Long-Term Plans lies in understanding the pause it introduces in a player’s tempo. Since the sought-after card will not be drawn immediately, using library shuffling effects or mill strategies can upset the setup. Consider cards that force a player to shuffle their library, such as Field of Ruin, as they can negate the careful planning. Alternatively, mill tactics that send cards directly from the library to the graveyard can ensure the tutored card never reaches the player’s hand.

It’s also wise to apply pressure during the two turns it takes for the Long-Term Plans to come to fruition. Aggressive plays or disruption tactics can further throw off your opponent’s meticulously laid plan. Understanding the card’s strengths and timing is crucial to ensuring Long-Term Plans doesn’t pay off for your adversaries.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves intricate tactics and Long-Term Plans stands as a testament to strategic deck engineering. Its capacity to secure the perfect card for upcoming turns can be a game-changer, granting savvy players a chance to steer the match’s direction. If precision and planning are part of your playstyle, or if you’re keen to finesse your combo deck with a card that adds depth to your strategy, Long-Term Plans could be a valuable asset. Eager to expand your tactical horizons? Dive deeper with us and discover how to optimize your deck’s potential with Long-Term Plans at your side.


Cards like Long-Term Plans

The strategic fabric of Magic: The Gathering is woven with a variety of cards that shape the future plays, and Long-Term Plans follows this tradition. It resembles cards such as Mystical Tutor and Personal Tutor in its ability to search your library for a card. Yet, Long-Term Plans introduces a twist as it places the sought card third from the top, rather than on top of your deck, requiring further planning and patience.

Analogous in intent, Sylvan Tutor also lets players search for a card—specifically a creature card—and put it on top of their library. However, Long-Term Plans offers a broader selection without the restriction to creature cards. It also contrasts in mechanics with Worldly Tutor, which is another creature-specific tutor but exhibits instant speed allowing for more reactive gameplay, while Long-Term Plans operates at sorcery speed.

Ultimately, Long-Term Plans stands out for players who favor a more deliberate and secretive approach to setting up game-winning conditions, distinguishing itself among library manipulation tools in Magic: The Gathering as a card that rewards strategic foresight and intricate game board orchestration.

Mystical Tutor - MTG Card versions
Personal Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Tutor - MTG Card versions
Worldly Tutor - MTG Card versions
Mystical Tutor - Mirage (MIR)
Personal Tutor - Portal (POR)
Sylvan Tutor - Portal (POR)
Worldly Tutor - Mirage (MIR)

Cards similar to Long-Term Plans by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Rushing River - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Vex - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Psionic Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Capsize - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Intuition - Tempest (TMP)
Forbid - Amonkhet Invocations (MP2)
Catalog - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Frantic Search - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Exclude - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Crystal Spray - Invasion (INV)
Hibernation - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Circular Logic - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Keep Watch - Judgment (JUD)
Archmage's Charm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Commander's Insight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Rushing River - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Ixidor's Will - Onslaught (ONS)
Vex - Darksteel (DST)
Thirst for Knowledge - Modern Masters (MMA)
Murmurs from Beyond - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Venser's Diffusion - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Long-Term Plans MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and The List, 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 Long-Term Plans and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Long-Term Plans Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2003-05-26. Illustrated by Ben Thompson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-05-26ScourgeSCG 381997normalblackBen Thompson
22020-09-26The ListPLST SCG-381997normalblackBen Thompson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Long-Term Plans has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 If there are fewer than 3 cards in your library, put the card on the bottom of your library.

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