Inspiring Refrain MTG Card


Inspiring Refrain offers significant card draw and strategic depth for blue-centric decks in MTG. Fits well in control and combo decks, with potential to set up powerful card draw engines. Despite advantages, high mana cost and discard requirement may limit its utility in fast-paced games.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Abilities Suspend

Text of card

Draw two cards. Exile Inspiring Refrain with three time counters on it. Suspend 3—


Cards like Inspiring Refrain

Inspiring Refrain enters the arena of notable suspend cards within Magic: The Gathering with a unique approach to card drawing. It shares a kinship with enchantments like Ancestral Vision that similarly provide substantial card advantage after a delay. Inspiring Refrain, however, brings new dynamics by granting you two fresh cards and then exiling itself with time counters for a repeat performance.

Moving over to card draw sorceries, we have the classic Treasure Cruise. It delves into your graveyard allowing you to draw three cards for essentially one blue mana, making it a powerhouse in decks that fill their graveyard quickly. While it doesn’t possess the longevity of Inspiring Refrain, it gives an immediate and considerable spike in card advantage.

Time Spiral is another relative, offering not only a card refill but a complete untapping of lands at no net mana cost. The immediate influx of seven new cards and the untap effect can lead to game-winning plays, although it’s a one-time offering compared to Inspiring Refrain’s ongoing symphony.

Ultimately, Inspiring Refrain carves out its niche as a reliable card engine, with the potential to influence the battlefield multiple times if left unchecked, marking its significance among card draw mechanics in the game.

Ancestral Vision - MTG Card versions
Treasure Cruise - MTG Card versions
Time Spiral - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Vision - MTG Card versions
Treasure Cruise - MTG Card versions
Time Spiral - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Inspiring Refrain by color, type and mana cost

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Amnesia - MTG Card versions
Time Spiral - MTG Card versions
Cultural Exchange - MTG Card versions
Upheaval - MTG Card versions
Echo of Eons - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Epiphany - MTG Card versions
Mind's Desire - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Tides - MTG Card versions
Cut Your Losses - MTG Card versions
Spelltwine - MTG Card versions
Flow of Ideas - MTG Card versions
Tunnel Vision - MTG Card versions
Govern the Guildless - MTG Card versions
Walk the Aeons - MTG Card versions
Reality Strobe - MTG Card versions
Mass Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Mindculling - MTG Card versions
Stolen Identity - MTG Card versions
Sea God's Revenge - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Bounty - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Inspiring Refrain. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
StormStorm LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 10

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Inspiring Refrain offers a substantial boost by drawing you three cards upon resolution, ensuring you maintain a healthy hand size and outpace your opponent in resources.

Resource Acceleration: With this spell, you gain a clear pathway to propel your mana resources. By suspending Inspiring Refrain for two turns, you can plan your moves strategically for a powerful late-game surge, managing your resources effectively without using up current turn mana.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Inspiring Refrain at instant speed gives you flexibility seldom seen in large card draw spells. This allows you to adapt to the unfolding game, choosing the optimal moment to replenish your hand without skipping a beat in your defense or offense.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Inspiring Refrain offers potential card advantage, it also comes with the need to discard cards due to its suspend mechanic. This can occasionally lead to resource depletion, which might not align with your strategy, especially in a crunch when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Inspiring Refrain requires a combination of blue mana to cast. This mana specificity means it is essentially designated for blue-centric or blue-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the diverse spectrum of MTG decks that players might be building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that sits at the higher end of the spectrum, this card requires a significant mana investment before its benefits can be reaped. Given the relentless pace of many MTG games, there may be alternative cards that provide similar effects at a lower mana cost, allowing for a more efficient play and better mana curve.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Inspiring Refrain offers a unique blend of delayed gratification and continual advantage, making it a useful inclusion in control or combo decks craving consistent card draw over the course of a match.

Combo Potential: As a spell with suspend, it works wonders in decks designed to manipulate time counters, or in conjunction with cards that react to casting from exile, providing a potential springboard for powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where the game often goes long, the ability to ensure future card draw while circumventing immediate mana investments can give players the edge they need to outpace opponents in resource accumulation.


How to beat

Inspiring Refrain is a card that players often meet on the battlefield with mixed emotions. As a Blue supplemental tool, it grants the ability to draw two cards and comes with a suspend mechanic – a tempting option for any player who seeks a delayed yet potent gratification in card advantage. However, as formidable as it might seem, facing Inspiring Refrain is not without its strategies.

To effectively counter this spell, one could focus on disruption. Employing instant-speed discard effects can force the opponent to play out their hand prematurely, decreasing the value they get from the card draw. Utilizing cards with the capability to counter suspended spells is another solid method. Since Inspiring Refrain operates on a timer, having counterspells or bounce effects ready can neutralize it before it ever gets the chance to resolve. Additionally, applying pressure on the opponent’s resources through land destruction or tapping down available mana can greatly reduce their ability to capitalize on Inspiring Refrain’s eventual cast.

Being prepared with these strategies can turn Inspiring Refrain from a threat to a minor setback. It’s all about timing and resource management – disrupt the setup, and you’ll find this card’s inspiration quickly dwindles.


BurnMana Recommendations

The realm of MTG is vast and full of strategies, and Inspiring Refrain is a card that embodies the intricacies of resource management and strategic depth. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to refine your blue deck or an enthusiast hungry for unique mechanics, this card offers layers of potential. Keep your decks versatile and your options open with cards like Inspiring Refrain, which ensure a stronger late game and the possibility for some unexpected twists. Dive deeper into the mechanics and strategies that can take your MTG gameplay to new heights. Your path to mastery is just a discovery away. Wander over to our platform for more insights, tips, and guidance on building a winning MTG repertoire.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Inspiring Refrain MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2021, 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 Inspiring Refrain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Inspiring Refrain Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900342015NormalBlackIzzy
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3542015NormalBlackIzzy
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 272015NormalBlackIzzy
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 10612015NormalBlackJohn Tedrick
52023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 2162015NormalBlackJohn Tedrick
62023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 8072015NormalBlackJohn Tedrick
72023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 4702015NormalBlackJohn Tedrick

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Inspiring Refrain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 As the second triggered ability resolves, you must cast the card if able. Timing restrictions based on the card's type are ignored.
2021-04-16 Exiling a card with suspend isn't casting that card. This action doesn't use the stack and can't be responded to.
2021-04-16 If the first triggered ability of suspend (the one that removes time counters) is countered, no time counter is removed. The ability will trigger again during the card's owner's next upkeep.
2021-04-16 If the second triggered ability of suspend (the one that lets you cast the card) is countered, the card can't be cast. It remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it's no longer suspended.
2021-04-16 If you can't cast the card for any reason, it remains exiled with no time counters on it, and it's no longer suspended.
2021-04-16 When the last time counter is removed, the second triggered ability of suspend will trigger. It doesn't matter why the last time counter was removed or what effect removed it.
2021-04-16 You can exile a card in your hand using suspend any time you could cast that card. Consider its card type, any effect that affects when you could cast it (such as flash) and any other effects that could stop you from casting it (such as Revel in Silence's effect) to determine if and when you can do this. Whether or not you could actually complete all steps in casting the card is irrelevant. For example, you can exile a card with suspend that has no mana cost or requires a target even if no legal targets are available at that time.