Sage of Mysteries MTG Card


Sage of Mysteries - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Constellation,Mill
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 0
Toughness 2
Number62
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohn Stanko

Key Takeaways

  1. By casting enchantments, Sage of Mysteries advances library filtering and sets up powerful deck interactions.
  2. Flexible usage during any game phase is possible due to synergy with instant-speed enchantments.
  3. Requires enchantments for its ability, which could limit utility if such cards are not readily available.

Text of card

Constellation — Whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, target player puts the top two cards of their library into their graveyard.

"I see destruction, suffering, and one tormented glimmer of hope."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Enhances your library manipulation, letting you filter through your deck faster with the “mill” ability each time you cast an enchantment, setting up for potentially valuable interactions and synergies within your deck.

Resource Acceleration: While Sage of Mysteries doesn’t directly accelerate resources through mana generation, enabling consistent deck thinning can indirectly hasten your access to key spells and lands, smoothing out draws for a more efficient game plan.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Sage of Mysteries synergizes well with instant-speed enchantments. This dynamic allows you to exploit its ability both during your turn and on your opponent’s turn, providing a level of flexibility and interaction at any phase of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sage of Mysteries requires that you have an enchantment to trigger its ability, potentially limiting its utility if your hand or board lacks these card types.

Specific Mana Cost: With an exclusively blue mana cost, the card can be restrictive and not easily splashed into multi-colored decks without a stable mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At one blue and one generic mana for a 2/1 creature, Sage of Mysteries may seem efficient, but in decks not tailored to heavily utilize its constellation mechanic, it may underperform compared to other two-drops with immediate impact or stronger stats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sage of Mysteries complements a variety of deck builds, particularly those centered around enchantments or devotion to blue. Its ability to consistently fuel the graveyard turns it into a valuable asset for strategies that capitalize on casting spells from the graveyard or for enabling escape mechanics.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with other cards that benefit from self-mill, such as Thassa’s Oracle or Jace, Wielder of Mysteries, for an alternative win condition. Utilizing its constellation trigger, the Sage of Mysteries can set off a chain of powerful plays leading to game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where graveyard strategies are prevalent or enchantment-based decks are on the rise, Sage of Mysteries becomes an essential piece due to its ability to quickly populate the graveyard while offering a body for blocking early aggro threats.


How to beat

Sage of Mysteries is an intriguing blue human wizard creature that provides synergy with enchantment-heavy and self-mill decks in Magic: The Gathering. As a 2/1 for one blue mana, its constellation ability allows you to mill two cards whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, setting up your graveyard for future plays.

To conquer a game against Sage of Mysteries, the strategy becomes twofold: controlling the battlefield and managing your opponent’s graveyard. Removal spells are effective in dealing with Sage of Mysteries itself, especially those that can bypass its potential hexproof or indestructible status. Cards like Fatal Push and Path to Exile can be quick answers to this pesky wizard. Beyond the creature, enchantment removal is crucial. Tools such as Disenchant or Thrashing Brontodon not only disrupt the flow of your opponent’s game but prevent the milling engine from going off. Additionally, consider using graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus or Rest in Peace to ensure that the milled cards don’t fuel your opponent’s game plan. In essence, dismantling the enchantment synergy and keeping the graveyard in check are key to mastering the game against Sage of Mysteries.


Cards like Sage of Mysteries

Sage of Mysteries introduces an intriguing dimension to the enchantment synergy within Magic: The Gathering, bearing similarities to other cards that enable players to put the top cards of their library into their graveyard, known as milling. Comparable to Merfolk Secretkeeper, Sage of Mysteries also possesses the mill ability, however, it requires an enchantment to be cast, not just entering the battlefield.

Another card with a kindred spirit is Drowned Secrets, which activates its milling effect upon casting a blue spell, not restricted to enchantments. This broader condition can potentially be more consistent for mill strategies. However, unlike the Merfolk Secretkeeper or Drowned Secrets, Sage of Mysteries offers a static ability on a creature, which may repeatedly activate in enchantment-heavy decks.

Analyzing these options, Sage of Mysteries holds its ground in the MTG universe by catering to players who building around enchantments. This strategic focus distinguishes it from other mill cards, offering continuous value in the right context and establishing it as a key piece in enchantment-based milling strategies.

Drowned Secrets - MTG Card versions
Drowned Secrets - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sage of Mysteries MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 of Mysteries and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sage of Mysteries has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-01-24 A constellation ability triggers whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control for any reason. Enchantments with other card types, such as enchantment creatures, will also cause constellation abilities to trigger.
2020-01-24 An Aura spell that has an illegal target when it tries to resolve doesn’t resolve and is instead put into its owner’s graveyard. It doesn’t enter the battlefield, so constellation abilities don’t trigger.

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