River of Tears MTG Card


Offers blue mana on land play turn, black mana otherwise for strategic mana usage. Enables instant speed spells first turn, fuels sorceries in subsequent turns. Strategic land sequencing is crucial to maximize benefits of adaptable mana.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
RarityRare
TypeLand

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. If you played a land this turn, add to your mana pool instead.

"The Westfolk wept, and their tears wore winding rivers into the cheek of the world." —Glem the Lonebard, "Origins of Kholon"


Exploring the Depths of River of Tears

River of Tears is a land card that catches the eye for its unique mana ability in MTG. Much like its land counterparts, such as Sunken Ruins, it plays a pivotal role in mana generation. However, River of Tears has a distinctive trait that sets it apart. During the turn you play a land, it provides you with blue mana. Otherwise, it yields black mana – a dual-faceted nature not common among other lands.

Cards like River of Tears

When assessing River of Tears against other dual lands like Drowned Catacomb, it’s apparent how its immediate utility can outshine the Catacomb’s conditional entrance untapped. On the other hand, both support the crucial two-color deck strategy. Underground River also comes to mind, allowing the choice of blue or black mana at the cost of life – a significant factor in comparison to the free-flowing, condition-based mana from River of Tears.

Moreover, reflecting upon the celebrated Watery Grave, it showcases a similar function but offers a painful choice: come into play tapped or provide an immediate impact at the expense of life points. River of Tears affords flexibility without the direct life trade-off, which can be invaluable in tight gameplay situations where life totals are key.

In a world where timing and mana efficiency can make or break a game, River of Tears offers a strategic depth that is as intriguing as the land itself, striking a balance between immediate needs and future plays within the game of MTG.

Sunken Ruins - MTG Card versions
Drowned Catacomb - MTG Card versions
Underground River - MTG Card versions
Watery Grave - MTG Card versions
Sunken Ruins - MTG Card versions
Drowned Catacomb - MTG Card versions
Underground River - MTG Card versions
Watery Grave - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to River of Tears by color, type and mana cost

Underground Sea - MTG Card versions
River Delta - MTG Card versions
Underground River - MTG Card versions
Salt Marsh - MTG Card versions
Dimir Aqueduct - MTG Card versions
Temple of Deceit - MTG Card versions
Watery Grave - MTG Card versions
Darkwater Catacombs - MTG Card versions
Dreadship Reef - MTG Card versions
Secluded Glen - MTG Card versions
Jwar Isle Refuge - MTG Card versions
Drowned Catacomb - MTG Card versions
Darkslick Shores - MTG Card versions
Tainted Isle - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Depths - MTG Card versions
Sunken Hollow - MTG Card versions
Submerged Boneyard - MTG Card versions
Dismal Backwater - MTG Card versions
Choked Estuary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildgate - MTG Card versions
Underground Sea - MTG Card versions
River Delta - MTG Card versions
Underground River - MTG Card versions
Salt Marsh - MTG Card versions
Dimir Aqueduct - MTG Card versions
Temple of Deceit - MTG Card versions
Watery Grave - MTG Card versions
Darkwater Catacombs - MTG Card versions
Dreadship Reef - MTG Card versions
Secluded Glen - MTG Card versions
Jwar Isle Refuge - MTG Card versions
Drowned Catacomb - MTG Card versions
Darkslick Shores - MTG Card versions
Tainted Isle - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Depths - MTG Card versions
Sunken Hollow - MTG Card versions
Submerged Boneyard - MTG Card versions
Dismal Backwater - MTG Card versions
Choked Estuary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildgate - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries ModernDimir FaeriesModern Showcase Challenge 2024-01-06
Dimir ControlDimir Control ModernDimir ControlModern Challenge 64 2023-12-30
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro ModernDimir ScamNexus Game Emporium, Regional Champion Qualifier Season 2 Round 2

Card Pros

Card Advantage: River of Tears is a versatile land that offers you flexibility in your mana usage depending on the timing of your land drop, thus potentially enhancing your card advantage. It can help you stay ahead by ensuring you have the right mana to play different spells throughout your turns.

Resource Acceleration: This card accelerates your resources by giving you instant access to two types of mana. It can produce blue mana on the turn you play it and black mana on subsequent turns, making it a dynamic addition to multicolor decks that require a stable mana base.

Instant Speed: Although not a spell, the benefit of River of Tears at instant speed comes into play indirectly. By providing a blue mana the turn it’s played, it enables the casting of instant speed spells within your arsenal without the need to tap out, keeping your options open and your plays unpredictable. On the following turn, the black mana it generates can fuel your sorcery speed threats or defenses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must consider their current hand before using River of Tears, as its ability hinges on whether a land has been played. In certain situations, this could mean missing out on vital mana if the sequencing isn’t carefully planned.

Specific Mana Cost: River of Tears produces colorless mana or blue mana under specific conditions, which may not always align with a player’s needs, especially in multi-colored decks requiring diverse mana at various times in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although River of Tears does not have a mana cost itself, its conditional mana production can be a detriment in decks that require consistent mana availability. This makes it less favorable compared to other dual lands or lands that provide mana without conditional requirements.


Reasons to Include River of Tears in Your Collection

Versatility: River of Tears offers a unique land choice that provides two types of mana. Ideal for blue and black dual decks, it allows for a subtle mana curve adjustment depending on your play phase.

Combo Potential: The card adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability, with its ability to produce either blue or black mana. This can enable powerful combos, particularly in decks that need to carefully time their mana pool for maximum effect.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where land flexibility can make or break a game, River of Tears holds a significant place. It keeps your opponents guessing while providing you with a reliable mana base that is less vulnerable to nonbasic land hate.


How to beat

River of Tears is an intriguing land card in Magic: The Gathering that shifts its behavior depending on the timing of the land play. During the turn you play another land, River of Tears provides blue mana. However, outside of this brief window, it supplies black mana instead. This dual nature requires strategic planning to use effectively or to counteract when playing against it.

To navigate around River of Tears’ flexibility, adapt your strategy to target the limitations of your opponent’s mana base. One approach is to apply pressure during the opponent’s turn, which may force them to play lands and alter the mana River of Tears can provide. Another method is employing land destruction or control elements that either neutralize the River of Tears or limit the number of lands your opponent can play, restricting their access to the color of mana they need most at that moment.

Ultimately, understanding when and how your adversary can benefit from River of Tears’ fluctuating mana pool is key. Anticipate their plays, and adjust your tactics to keep them off balance, mitigating the advantages River of Tears could offer them in a match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase River of Tears MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Iconic Masters, 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 River of Tears and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The River of Tears Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 179futureNormalBlackChris J. Anderson
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2462015NormalBlackChris J. Anderson
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 9122015NormalBlackChris J. Anderson
42022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1971997NormalBlackChris J. Anderson
52023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 11002015NormalBlackOliver Wetter
62023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 2972015NormalBlackOliver Wetter
72023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 8882015NormalBlackOliver Wetter
82023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 5092015NormalBlackOliver Wetter
92024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2832015NormalBlackChris J. Anderson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where River of Tears has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-11-17 River of Tears produces only after you've played a land, not after you've put a land onto the battlefield (such as with Evolving Wilds).
2017-11-17 The turn you play River of Tears, it will produce when tapped for mana.