Telling Time MTG Card


Instant speed allows for adaptive strategy and surprise against opponents during crucial moments in gameplay. Demands blue mana, which can limit its inclusion in non-blue or mana-tight decks, affecting deckbuilding flexibility. The card’s cost might be steep compared to alternatives that could offer card draws or scry for less mana.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of those cards into your hand, one on top of your library, and one on the bottom of your library.

Mastery is achieved when "telling time" becomes "telling time what to do."


Cards like Telling Time

Telling Time stands out in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering card manipulation spells. It shares the spotlight with cards like Anticipate, which allows the player to look at the top three cards and put one into their hand. However, Telling Time provides a slight edge by allowing not just a peek into the future of your draws but also immediate hand optimization by arranging the top of the library, thus ensuring a desired draw for the next turn.

Peering into the same category, we find Serum Visions, another staple of deck manipulation. Serum Visions offers a different approach with the immediate draw and then scry, which can set up future draws but without the tactical advantage of Telling Time’s card arrangement. Furthermore, Impulse offers a deeper look into the library, vieiwing four cards and putting one into your hand, though any form of library arrangement is absent compared to Telling Time’s manipulative precision.

Ultimately, when evaluating utility and the strategic finesse, Telling Time holds a unique position, providing a balanced mix of foresight and control over upcoming plays, making it a worthy inclusion in decks that value strategic draw and library manipulation.

Anticipate - MTG Card versions
Serum Visions - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Anticipate - MTG Card versions
Serum Visions - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Telling Time by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius ControlAzorius Control LegacyAzorius ControlLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-02

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Telling Time offers players the ability to look at the top three cards of their library, which paves the way for strategic selection of the next draw. This subtle yet powerful effect ensures you get just the right card for upcoming turns, providing a significant advantage over an opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration in the traditional sense, the card manipulation Telling Time provides can help align your land drops and increase the probability of drawing into your deck’s key resources when you need them most.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Telling Time at instant speed adds a layer of unpredictability for your adversaries. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment, such as the end of your opponent’s turn, to refine your draw and adapt your strategy with the enhanced knowledge of what’s coming.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: However, one downside for players considering Telling Time is the absence of a discard requirement. Unlike some instants or sorceries that provide a built-in mechanism for card advantage or selection, Telling Time doesn’t allow you to churn through your deck by discarding unneeded cards, which could be seen as a missed opportunity for deck cycling and graveyard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Telling Time demands a blue mana in its casting cost, which pigeonholes it into blue-centric or multi-colored decks. Players running mono-color decks that aren’t blue or those with a tight mana base might find the card hard to incorporate without compromising their mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing one colorless and one blue mana, Telling Time’s mana investment is significant when compared to other card selection options available in MTG. For a two-mana investment, cards like Serum Visions or Preordain might offer a more immediate impact on the game state, given their lower casting cost and additional effects such as scrying.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Telling Time offers a unique mix of card selection and draw, allowing players to strategically plan their next moves. It can be a beneficial addition to control decks seeking to smooth out draws, or combo decks that are looking for key pieces.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to look at the top three cards of the library and manipulate them opens up combo potential by increasing the odds of finding the right card combinations. It’s a strong enabler in decks that aim for a high level of synergy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where information and choice can make the difference between victory and defeat, Telling Time’s capacity to provide both makes it relevant in many different meta scenarios. Its utility in shaping draws makes it a pertinent pick for competitive play, adapting well to various tempo swings.


How to beat

Telling Time is a nuanced addition to the suite of card selection spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some likeness with cards like Anticipate, allowing a player to look at the top few cards of their library and put one into their hand. However, Telling Time offers a strategic benefit—placing one card in the hand, another on top of the library, and the third on the bottom of the library. This subtle arrangement can set up future draws or help avoid undesirable cards.

When facing Telling Time, disrupting a player’s library and their knowledge of upcoming cards can be effective. Cards that shuffle the library, like Field of Ruin, can nullify the advantages gained from Telling Time. Hand disruption spells, such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, can also be potent as they allow you to pluck crucial cards that your opponent has secured with Telling Time. Aggressive strategies that put pressure on the opponent can force them to use resources defensively, making Telling Time less effective as it diverts mana that could be used for responses.

Ultimately, while Telling Time grants players control over their upcoming draws, applying pressure through disruption and aggressive plays can significantly mitigate its utility and maintain your advantage on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth that Telling Time introduces to your MTG gameplay, then BurnMana encourages you to further explore its potential. This card’s blend of foresight and manipulation can refine your deck’s precision, aligning draws with your game plan. It thrives in environments where control and combo plays dictate the tempo. Remember, every card choice you make has the power to tip the scales in your favor. Expand your horizons, understand the shifting tides of the meta, and let Telling Time be the conduit for your ultimate success. Take the next step in your MTG journey with us and discover how to incorporate this strategic gem into your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Telling Time MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Tenth Edition, 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 Telling Time and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Telling Time Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2018-11-02. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 692003NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1142003NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 612015NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
42018-08-09Commander 2018C18 1052015NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
52018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 42015NormalBlackScott M. Fischer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Telling Time has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2005-10-01 If there are fewer than three cards in your library, follow the instructions in the order given for any cards that are there.