What Is Scry?
Scry is a Magic: The Gathering keyword that helps you control what you’ll draw next. When a card says “Scry N,” you look at the top N cards of your library, then decide whether to keep any on top or put them on the bottom in any order. That’s it. Instead of guessing what you’ll draw, you peek at your future options. Then you either keep them or send them away.
Why Scry Matters
This little mechanic can steer your deck toward the spells you need. Let’s say you have a hand full of lands but desperately want an instant counter target creature spell, or maybe you need an instant destroy target artifact effect. When you scry, you see if those answers are near the top. If they aren’t, you can tuck them underneath and try again later. That’s especially handy when you’re stuck searching for critical pieces like an instant counter target spell, a sorcery exile target creature, or even a historic spell that you must cast soon. Scry also pairs well with mechanics that read “whenever enchanted creature attacks” or “target creature enters the battlefield,” because it keeps your momentum going by ensuring you draw something useful.
Scry vs. Draw: Which Is Better?
Some players wonder if drawing a card is always superior to scrying. The answer depends on what you need:
- Searching for specifics: If you must find a single “silver bullet”—maybe a target creature card with lifelink or an equipment or vehicle card to seal the deal—scry is great for digging deeper.
- General card advantage: If any good topdeck works (like a green spell, blue spell, or even a big legendary creature), drawing might be stronger because you gain a guaranteed card in hand.
- Context of the game: If you have eight or more cards in hand and you’re flooded with lands or useless spells, it might help to scry first. If your deck relies on huge combos, seeing the top two cards and deciding if they’re worth keeping can be a life-saver.
Scry 2, for example, lets you check your next two draws and arrange them or put them on the bottom. But if you really need extra resources right now, simply drawing 1 might be best. It also depends on timing—if it’s your opponent’s turn and you need an instant return target creature to bail yourself out, you might value an immediate draw more.
Tips for Using Scry in Your Deck
- Plan for synergy: Some creatures, like Cloudreader Sphinx (it scryed when it enters) or Burning Prophet (it scrys when you cast a noncreature spell), make repeated scry triggers. Even something like Charming Prince can give you a “Scry 2” option.
- Combine with shuffle effects: If you see junk with a scry, put it on the bottom, then use something like a fetch land to shuffle. That can reopen access to those cards if you change your mind.
- Go for that key card: When you must find an instant target creature or a planeswalker spell to answer a threat, scry gives you a better shot. You’ll know if you should keep a removal piece like a sorcery exile target creature or an instant destroy target artifact on top. If it’s not there, you send the rest on bottom.
- Scry before you draw: If you can do it in the same turn, scry first. That way, you filter out bad draws and hopefully land the perfect piece. It might be your next noncreature spell or a big dragon wizard you’ve been waiting to cast.
Final Thoughts
Scry smooths your deck’s performance by letting you peek ahead. It makes sense when you want to avoid drawing dead cards or when you’re hunting for an important piece, like an instant counter target spell or a wordy spell that can swing the game. Sometimes drawing a card is better, especially if any card from your library is a good option. Other times, scrying 2 or more helps you dodge what you don’t want and sets up the perfect topdeck.
The next time you’re unsure, ask yourself: do I need a specific card this instant, or do I just need to keep up general pressure? If it’s the former, consider scry. If it’s the latter, raw card draw might be best. Either way, knowing the top of your library can make all the difference when it comes to controlling your fate in Magic: The Gathering.
