Learn from the Past MTG Card


Instant speed shuffling deters mill decks and revives graveyard cards, expanding your strategic options in-game. Restrictive blue mana and discard requirements may limit its use, demanding savvy deck construction expertise. Versatility in deck strategies makes Learn from the Past a pivotal card for controlling the game’s flow.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target player shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library. Draw a card.

"I've been told my whole life that the great Ojutai holds all knowledge, but I wonder what our forebears knew." —Narset


Cards like Learn from the Past

Learn from the Past is a unique card within Magic: The Gathering that offers players the chance to reshuffle their graveyard into their library. This ability is reminiscent of the card Elixir of Immortality, which also has a graveyard-to-library shuffling effect along with a modest life gain. However, Learn from the Past comes with an added advantage of drawing a card, giving it a slight edge in card advantage.

Moving beyond the graveyard shuffle, it’s interesting to note the strategic similarities it has with Day’s Undoing. While Day’s Undoing ends the turn as part of its effect, it refreshes the player’s hand fully by drawing seven cards. Learn from the Past, while less impactful immediately, does not have such a severe drawback and can be cast at instant speed, offering more flexibility during critical moments of a match.

While it may not directly replace these similar cards, Learn from the Past offers a more subtle and strategic approach to controlling the game’s flow. It’s valuable in decks that aim to maximize the use of their graveyard, making it a purposeful inclusion for players considering long-term tactics over immediate gain.

Elixir of Immortality - MTG Card versions
Day's Undoing - MTG Card versions
Elixir of Immortality - MTG Card versions
Day's Undoing - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Learn from the Past by color, type and mana cost

Deflection - MTG Card versions
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Gifts Given - MTG Card versions
Discombobulate - MTG Card versions
Deflection - MTG Card versions
Ray of Command - MTG Card versions
Inspiration - MTG Card versions
Turnabout - MTG Card versions
Quash - MTG Card versions
Foil - MTG Card versions
Thwart - MTG Card versions
Repel - MTG Card versions
Plagiarize - MTG Card versions
Fact or Fiction - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Urza's Command - MTG Card versions
Wheel and Deal - MTG Card versions
Gifts Ungiven - MTG Card versions
Fold into Aether - MTG Card versions
Part the Veil - MTG Card versions
Surging Aether - MTG Card versions
Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions
Gifts Given - MTG Card versions
Discombobulate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you cast Learn from the Past, it renders the opportunity to refresh your library, thus indirectly defending against mill strategies while offering a fresh inventory of cards for future draws. This mechanic strategically places you in a position to access a broader range of options as the game advances.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, the shuffle effect of Learn from the Past ensures that all your powerful spells which have been buried in the graveyard throughout the game get a second chance to be drawn and played, effectively accelerating your resource potential.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Learn from the Past at instant speed gives the flexibility needed in the heat of battle. You can navigate through a tight game by waiting for the optimal moment to thwart graveyard-dependent strategies your opponent relies on or simply recirculate your resources when your deck is at its thinnest.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Learn from the Past necessitates discarding a card, which could deplete your hand when you might need those resources to respond to your opponent’s moves or to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a blue mana in its casting cost, which may not be readily available in all deck types, potentially restricting its integration outside of blue-centric or multicolored decks that can accommodate the color requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, this card’s ability to shuffle your graveyard into your library may come at a higher opportunity cost, especially when you consider other cards at similar mana levels that offer immediate board presence or more impactful effects.


Reasons to Include Learn from the Past in Your Collection

Versatility: Learn from the Past offers a unique spin to any deck strategy by shuffling all cards from the graveyard into the library. This card is not confined to just one type of deck; it can be a crucial inclusion in control decks aiming for long-term sustainability or even in combo decks looking to recycle valuable pieces.

Combo Potential: This card enables players to bring back their entire graveyard, thereby setting up the stage for powerful combos. It can be paired with cards that thrive on drawing or those that benefit from repeated casting from the graveyard. It offers players a safety net against mill strategies and a second chance with their best spells.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based strategies often making waves in the competitive scene, having a card that can effectively reset your graveyard is extremely useful. This can disrupt opponent’s plans who rely on graveyard interaction and grant you a significant advantage in grindy, attrition-based matches.


How to beat

Learn from the Past is a unique card in the world of Magic the Gathering, offering players a chance to shuffle their graveyard back into their library and draw a card. This ability can be pivotal in long, drawn-out games where resources become scarce. To effectively counter this card, strategic graveyard management is essential. One method is through prioritizing the use of graveyard-hate cards that can remove key cards from your opponent’s graveyard, disrupting their plans and ensuring those cards don’t return to the library.

Another tactic involves applying constant pressure to deplete the opponent’s resources quickly, aiming to win before Learn from the Past becomes a significant factor. Additionally, incorporating instant-speed disruption allows players to respond to the spell effectively, potentially countering it and keeping the opponent’s graveyard ripe with targets for your own strategies. It’s important to anticipate the potential reset Learn from the Past provides and plan your plays accordingly to maintain your advantage in the game.

Overall, beating this card requires a mixture of foresight, smart resource management, and a willingness to adapt. By employing these strategies, the advantage Learn from the Past offers can be minimized or completely neutralized.


BurnMana Recommendations

In your journey through MTG, delving into nuanced strategies fortifies your position as a formidable player. Learn from the Past serves as a strategic asset, rebuffing mill tactics and rejuvenating your library for an upper hand in protracted battles. As the card weaves into your game plan, you’ll discover newfound combos and overcome meta challenges while preserving deck integrity. We invite you to explore the depths of your deck’s potential and harness the subtle power of this unique card. For more insights and tactics to revolutionize your gameplay, connect with us and embrace your next level of MTG dominance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Learn from the Past MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Tales of Middle-earth Art Series, 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 Learn from the Past and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Learn from the Past Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 602015NormalBlackChase Stone
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth Art SeriesALTR 702015Art seriesBorderlessTorgeir Fjereide
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1922015NormalBlackTorgeir Fjereide

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Learn from the Past has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-02-25 If the player's graveyard is empty, the player will shuffle their library, then you'll draw a card.