Depths of Desire MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Treasure
Released	2017-09-29
Set symbol
Set name	Ixalan
Set code	XLN
Number	52
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Stanko

Key Takeaways

Gains card advantage by bouncing nonland permanents and reusing enter-the-battlefield effects.
Provides resource acceleration with an extra mana via a Treasure token.
Instant speed offers flexibility, disrupting opponent’s plays for tempo control.

Text of card

Return target creature to its owner's hand. Create a colorless Treasure artifact token with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

Pockets full of gold, lungs full of brine.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Depths of Desire shines in providing card advantage through its unique ability. By returning a nonland permanent to the owner’s hand, it opens an opportunity for the player to remove a problematic enemy card while potentially reusing one of their own enter-the-battlefield effects, effectively gaining value with a single cast.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to its primary function, Depths of Desire also helps in resource acceleration. It creates a Treasure token upon resolution, offering players an extra mana that could be the difference in casting a game-changing spell a turn earlier than expected, or smoothing out mana curves to ensure an uninterrupted development of their board.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of this card provides tactical flexibility. Players can use this at the most opportune moment, like during the combat phase to thwart an opponent’s plans or at the end of an opponent’s turn to maximize mana efficiency. This level of control gives Depths of Desire a strategic edge in tempo play, allowing clever players to dictate the pace of the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Depths of Desire necessitates pitching away another card from your hand, which can deplete your options, especially in critical moments when card advantage is paramount.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires specifically blue mana to cast, which may not align smoothly with a multi-colored deck’s mana base, potentially causing delays or inconsistencies in play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and factoring in its specific requirement for blue mana, Depths of Desire is somewhat costly when you consider other alternatives in the game that may offer similar or superior effects for a lower or more flexible mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Depths of Desire offers flexibility by providing both a creature tempo swing and an artifact token. This can be quite beneficial in decks that take advantage of bounce mechanics or require mana fixing through Treasure tokens.

Combo Potential: The Treasure token created by this spell has synergy with strategies that capitalize on artifact-related triggers or need additional mana for combo execution. Depths of Desire smoothly integrates into such combos without demanding a high mana cost.

Meta-Relevance: Given the frequent presence of powerful creatures and commanders in the current gameplay environment, having an instant-speed answer like Depths of Desire can disrupt opponent’s strategies effectively, making it a useful tool in various meta scenarios.

How to beat Depths of Desire

Depths of Desire, a common Instant spell in MTG, has the utility to temporarily disrupt an opponent’s strategy by returning target creature to its owner’s hand and creating a colorless Treasure artifact token. This card can be a setback when you’re building a formidable presence on the battlefield. To strategically overcome Depths of Desire, consider holding up mana for counter spells or playing creatures with enter the battlefield effects that provide value, rendering the bounce effect less detrimental.

Moreover, playing around this card involves careful observation of the opponent’s available mana and their patterns of play. Having three mana open could hint at Depths of Desire, so it’s wise to bait it out with a less critical creature or use the opportunity to resolve more important spells while their mana is tied up. By doing so, you force them either to waste the effect on a minor threat or to let your major plays pass unchallenged

Utilizing instant speed spells of your own can also be a key factor. Casting important creatures or spells during the opponent’s end step or after they’ve used Depths of Desire can catch them off guard. Timing is everything, and outmaneuvering an opponent holding up Depths of Desire can destabilize their tempo and pave the way for a winning position.

Cards like Depths of Desire

Depths of Desire carves out its niche in MTG’s rich tapestry of control spells. This card offers versatility much like other blue spells, such as Unsummon, which serves a similar purpose in bouncing creatures back to an opponent’s hand. Yet, Depths of Desire has an edge by also providing a Treasure token, an additional resource that can be pivotal for casting future spells or activating abilities.

Also standing in comparison is the spell Run Away Together. Although it doesn’t provide the Treasure token that Depths of Desire does, it has the unique twist of targeting two creatures, one from each player. This can turn a tight spot into a tactical advantage. Sail into the Aether is another interesting parallel but it launches permanents right into the library instead of the hand, delaying the opponent’s plans further.

Evaluating these options, Depths of Desire offers a balanced mix of immediate board impact and resource acquisition, making it a notable choice for players who value flexibility and the long game in their MTG strategies.

Cards similar to Depths of Desire by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Depths of Desire MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Depths of Desire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Depths of Desire 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