Chaos Warp is a 2R instant that allows the owner of target permanent to shuffle it into their library and then draw the top card, potentially revealing a new permanent to play. Its power level is moderate, making it a solid addition to any red deck. In Commander formats, Chaos Warp finds its main use case in disrupting opponents' plans by removing problematic permanents and creating opportunities for new plays.

• Commander: This card excels as a removal spell, particularly against combo decks that rely on specific permanents. • Other notable uses: Chaos Warp can also help with card advantage, creating an opportunity to draw into a more favorable hand or reveal a beneficial permanent. It's often used in combination with other cards like Liliana of the Veil and Mystical Tutor.

Card Functionality:

Chaos Warp is a rare instant from the Commander set that interacts with permanents on the battlefield. Its primary function is to shuffle a targeted permanent into its owner's library and then reveal the top card of their library. If this revealed card is a permanent, it is put onto the battlefield under its owner's control.

Stack and Battlefield Interactions:

When Chaos Warp resolves, it first shuffles the targeted permanent into the player's library. This action does not trigger any additional events or abilities that might be attached to the shuffled permanent. Next, the top card of the library is revealed, potentially putting another permanent onto the battlefield if it meets the condition specified by the oracle text.

Keyword Abilities and Rules:

Chaos Warp does not have any keyword abilities, making its effects purely based on its printed text. Its functionality relies solely on its interaction with permanents and libraries.

Edge Cases and Unusual Interactions:

1. Revealing a Permanent: If the revealed card from the library is a permanent, it will be put onto the battlefield under its owner's control. This can lead to unexpected combinations with cards like Tolaria West, which can exile permanents and potentially interact with Chaos Warp.
2. Shuffling a Permanent: When shuffling a permanent into the library, it does not trigger any additional effects or interactions based on the targeted permanent's abilities.
3. Landing Multiple Permanents: If the initial target is shuffled away and another card that meets the condition is revealed from the top of the library, it can result in multiple permanents entering play under the same turn.

Commander-Specific Quirks:

Chaos Warp operates similarly across various Commander decks due to its straightforward design. Its main appeal lies in its ability to disrupt opponents by potentially putting a beneficial permanent onto the battlefield while also shuffling away a target of the controller's choice.

Chaos Warp is a versatile instant that offers a unique and powerful effect. It can be used strategically in various Commander decks, particularly those focused on ramping up to bigger threats or creating chaos on the battlefield.

Casual Builds:

• Ramp Decks: Chaos Warp pairs well with cards like Sol Ring, Mox Opal, and City of Brass to accelerate mana development. This allows players to play larger creatures earlier in the game, catching opponents off guard.
• Combo Decks: The card can be used to search for powerful combo pieces or ramp into game-changing spells. For example, a deck featuring Omniscience and Golgari Findbroker can use Chaos Warp to find the necessary pieces to execute a win condition.

Competitive Builds:

• Red-Blue Aggro: Chaos Warp is a great addition to Red-Blue aggro decks that focus on dealing direct damage to opponents. By shuffling away unwanted permanents and revealing new ones, players can adapt to changing board states and optimize their attack lines.
• Ramp-Aggressive Decks: This card also benefits ramp-aggressive decks, which aim to develop a strong board presence quickly. Chaos Warp helps manage the risk of drawing dead cards or unwanted creatures.

Color Identities:

• Red-White: The combination of red's aggressive and white's value-oriented playstyle makes Red-White an excellent fit for Chaos Warp.
• Red-Black: This color identity is another natural fit, as it combines aggressive red with the ramp and tutoring capabilities of black.

In summary, Chaos Warp offers a unique utility that can be leveraged in various Commander decks. Its ability to shuffle away unwanted permanents and reveal new ones makes it an excellent addition to any deck focused on ramping up to bigger threats or creating chaos on the battlefield.

Synergies and Interactions

Chaos Warp is a versatile instant that can be used in conjunction with various cards to create complex interactions. One of the most notable synergies involves pairing Chaos Warp with Karn, the Great Creator (Karn, the Great Creator). By casting Chaos Warp on one of Karn's artifact creatures, you can shuffle it back into your library and potentially draw a new artifact creature from the top of your deck.

Another synergy exists with Graveshift (Graveshift), which can target the newly revealed permanent from Chaos Warp. This allows you to further manipulate the card by sending it back to the library or placing it onto the battlefield in a more advantageous location.

Additionally, Chaos Warp works well with cards that care about the top of your library, such as Liliana, Death's Majesty (Liliana, Death's Majesty). By revealing the top card of your library and potentially drawing a new permanent from the top, you can create opportunities for Liliana to benefit from the revealed card.

Rules Tricks

Chaos Warp has some interesting implications when combined with cards that have triggered abilities tied to specific permanents. For example, if you target an Archmage's Charm (Archmage's Charm)-protected creature with Chaos Warp, the charm will resolve before the creature is shuffled back into your library. This can create complex interactions, as the charm may resolve and leave a different effect on the battlefield.

Another rules trick involves using Chaos Warp in combination with cards that care about specific zones or phases of play. For example, if you target an Estrid's Invocation (Estrid's Invocation)-protected creature with Chaos Warp during the beginning of your end step, the invocation will resolve and grant Estrid's abilities to the creature before it is shuffled back into your library.

Combos and Strategies

Chaos Warp can be used in a variety of combo decks that care about manipulating permanents or creating complex interactions. One possible strategy involves pairing Chaos Warp with Jace, the Mind Sculptor (Jace, the Mind Sculptor), which allows you to manipulate cards from the top of your library and create multiple copies of powerful artifacts.

Another combination involves using Chaos Warp in conjunction with Mox Opal (Mox Opal), which can be used to accelerate your mana development and cast more expensive spells. By targeting an artifact creature with Chaos Warp, you can potentially draw a new Mox Opal from the top of your library and continue to ramp up your mana.

In addition to these combo decks, Chaos Warp can also be used in more casual or brew deck environments to create complex interactions and surprise opponents with its unique effects.

Chaos Warp: Common Mistakes to Avoid

In Commander, Chaos Warp can be a game-changing card when used correctly. However, players often make mistakes that hinder its effectiveness.

Timing Issues

• Failing to pay attention to the timing of Chaos Warp: This instant needs to be cast during your main phase or combat phase, not during your opponent's turn. Casting it on their turn can lead to a tempo loss.
• Misunderstanding when you can use Chaos Warp in response: You can only use this card as a response if the permanent is being destroyed, returned to hand, or put into exile.

Misunderstood Rules

• Assuming that Chaos Warp puts the top card from the library directly onto the battlefield. Instead, it reveals the top card and, if it's a permanent, puts it onto the battlefield.
• Ignoring that Chaos Warp doesn't care about the format or whether the revealed permanent was previously in play.

Poor Synergies

• Combining Chaos Warp with cards like Korlash, Truth-Reneegade, which can create an endless loop of drawing and putting creatures onto the battlefield.
• Using Chaos Warp to draw into lands or other non-creature permanents, as this card is primarily used for its potential to reveal a new creature.

When using Chaos Warp, be mindful of these common mistakes to get the most out of this powerful instant.

Chaos Warp is a versatile and powerful instant in the Commander format, particularly for red decks. Its ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield makes it a valuable addition to any Ravnica-themed deck looking to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Here are some key points about Chaos Warp:

• Scarcity: As a rare card from the original Commander set (Cmd), Chaos Warp has not been reprinted, contributing to its relatively high price point.
• Price: Currently priced at around $1.43 USD and 51 TIX, making it challenging for most players to include in their deck without breaking the bank.
• Alternative Options: For those looking for similar effects at a lower price point, consider alternatives like Blast with Flames Blast with Flames or Mystical Tutor Mystical Tutor.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Chaos Warp excels in situations where you need to disrupt your opponents' plans and create chaos on the board. Here are some specific scenarios:

• Against opponents with large permanents: Use Chaos Warp to target a large creature or artifact, shuffling it into their library and potentially revealing a weaker card from their deck.
• In aggressive decks: Chaos Warp can be used to clear the way for your own creatures by targeting an opposing permanent that's blocking them.
• Against opponents with powerful spells: If an opponent has a powerful spell like Counterspell or Dissolve, use Chaos Warp to target it and shuffle it away, potentially allowing you to cast your own spell.

Flavor & Lore

Chaos Warp embodies the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the Ravnica city-states. Its ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield is reminiscent of the cunning and unpredictability of the Azorius guild. Players who use Chaos Warp often have a keen sense of spatial awareness, knowing exactly which permanents they need to remove from play to create an opening for their opponent.

In terms of character backstory, a player who wields Chaos Warp might be a charismatic and cunning Azorius wizard who has mastered the art of manipulation. They might see themselves as a force of chaos within the guild, using their magical abilities to disrupt the status quo and create opportunities for themselves and their allies.

Budget & Accessibility

Chaos Warp is out of budget for most Commander decks that aim to spend under 50 TIX per card. However, experienced players can opt for cheaper alternatives or consider including this card as part of a more expensive package.

If budget is a concern, here are some similar options that might fit into your Commander deck:

• Blast with Flames Blast with Flames: A rare instant from the Modern Horizons set, costing around 45 TIX and $1.13 USD.
• Mystical Tutor Mystical Tutor: An uncommon instant from the Guilds of Ravnica set, costing around 20 TIX and $0.51 USD.

These options can provide similar effects at a lower price point.

The card JSON for reference:

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Building Around Chaos Warp

Chaos Warp is a versatile and powerful card that can be built around to create a variety of aggressive, combo-oriented decks. This instant's ability to shuffle a target permanent into the library and then reveal the top card offers a high degree of flexibility for deckbuilders.

Commanders and Color Identities

• Red Aggro Decks: Chaos Warp is an excellent fit for red aggro commanders like Chandra, Torch of Defiance or Gorbag's Chains, as it allows for rapid tempo swings and can even generate new threats.
• Azami, Lady of Scrolls: This commander synergizes perfectly with Chaos Warp, as Azami's ability to draw cards and reveal them makes it easy to take advantage of the revealed permanent.
• Other Color Combinations: Chaos Warp also works well in red-green and red-blue combinations, particularly when paired with creatures like Soul-Scar Mage or Monastery Swiftspear, which benefit from card draw.

Themes

• Aggro and Tempo Swings: Chaos Warp excels at creating tempo swings and aggressive game plans, making it a great fit for aggro decks.
• Combo and Puzzle Pieces: This instant can be used as a puzzle piece in combo-oriented decks, particularly those that involve card draw and revealing permanents.

Synergy Cards

• Card Draw Engines:
  • Liliana, the Last Hope
  • Griselbrand
  • Tolaria West
• Reveal and Card Advantage
  • Serra Avenger
  • Furnace of Rath
  • Mishra's Workshop
• Aggressive Creatures:
  • Soul-Scar Mage
  • Monastery Swiftspear
  • Keldon War Cryer

Combo Notes

• Pairing Chaos Warp with a card draw engine and a reveal mechanic can create a powerful combo that generates new threats rapidly.
• Using Chaos Warp to reveal a permanent and then playing a creature like Serra Avenger or Monastery Swiftspear can create an aggressive game plan.

Overall, Chaos Warp offers a high degree of flexibility for deckbuilders and can be built around in a variety of ways. Its ability to shuffle a target permanent into the library and reveal the top card makes it a powerful tool for creating tempo swings and aggressive game plans.

Commander and Casual Formats

Chaos Warp is a powerful instant that can disrupt opponents' plans by removing their permanents. Its ability to shuffle a target permanent into the library, then reveal the top card and put it onto the battlefield if it's a permanent, makes it an attractive option for decks that value surprise and unpredictability.

In Commander, Chaos Warp is often played in red-themed decks focused on chaos and disruption. It pairs well with cards like Maelstrom Pulse and Chaos Text, which can create an environment where opponents are less likely to maintain a stable board presence. When used in conjunction with creatures like Burning Hands or Chandra, Torch of Defiance, Chaos Warp can become nearly impossible for opponents to recover from.

In casual games, Chaos Warp's flexibility makes it a popular choice among players looking to spice up their gameplay experience. Its ability to surprise the opponent and potentially create an advantage can add a layer of excitement to otherwise mundane matches.

Competitive Play

While Chaos Warp is not typically considered a top-tier card in competitive play, its effects can still be beneficial in certain situations. In particular, it shines when combined with cards like Lightning Helix or Shatter, which deal direct damage to the opponent's life total while also potentially creating a new threat.

However, its value diminishes in more linear or controlling metagames, where opponents are focused on maintaining board presence and controlling the tempo. In these situations, Chaos Warp is often outshone by more targeted removal spells like Doom Blade or Abrupt Decay, which can deal with permanents more efficiently.

Banned Status

Chaos Warp is not currently banned in any official Magic: The Gathering format. Its effects are generally seen as too situational and context-dependent to warrant banning, especially considering the abundance of more aggressive removal options available.

Overlooked? Not Quite

While Chaos Warp may not be a staple in every Commander deck, it's far from being an overlooked card. Its unique ability to both disrupt opponents' plans and create new threats has cemented its place as a solid addition to any red-themed commander deck.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Chaos Warp excels in situations where you need to disrupt your opponents' plans and create chaos on the board. Here are some specific scenarios:

• Against opponents with large permanents: Use Chaos Warp to target a large creature or artifact, shuffling it into their library and potentially revealing a weaker card from their deck.
• In aggressive decks: Chaos Warp can be used to clear the way for your own creatures by targeting an opposing permanent that's blocking them.
• Against opponents with powerful spells: If an opponent has a powerful spell like Counterspell or Dissolve, use Chaos Warp to target it and shuffle it away, potentially allowing you to cast your own spell.

However, Chaos Warp can fail in the following situations:

• Against opponents with low-life totals: If an opponent is low on life, using Chaos Warp to reveal a permanent card from their library may not be as effective, as they may have already set up a strong board presence.
• In metagames dominated by removal spells: If removal spells like Path to Exile or Sword of War and Peace are prevalent, Chaos Warp's ability to shuffle away permanents may be less impactful.

In Commander games, politics and board presence can also play a significant role:

• Against opponents with established board presence: If an opponent has already set up a strong board presence, using Chaos Warp to disrupt their plans may not be as effective.
• In multiplayer games: In situations where multiple players are vying for control of the board, Chaos Warp's ability to shuffle away permanents can create chaos and uncertainty among opponents.

Chaos Warp has been a staple in Red decks since its printing in Commander (2011). As an Instant, it can be cast at instant speed to manipulate the opponent's permanents and disrupt their gameplan.

One of the key strengths of Chaos Warp is its ability to create card advantage by revealing and putting onto the battlefield a permanent from the library. This synergy with creatures like Burning Hands or Searing Blaze, which can help fuel the recursion loop, has made Chaos Warp a popular choice in many Red decks.

In terms of printings, Chaos Warp was reprinted in Commander Anthology (2017), making it more accessible to players who didn't have access to the original printing. It's also been featured in several iconic Red decks throughout its history, including those focused on Ragavan, Gleeful Ransacker and Koma, Flamesinger.

Chaos Warp embodies the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the Ravnica city-states, where the fabric of reality is constantly being torn apart by powerful magical forces. This instant card is a masterclass in creative problem-solving, allowing its controller to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield.

In the world of Ravnica, the guilds are locked in an eternal struggle for power and influence. The Boros Legion, with their emphasis on order and discipline, see themselves as the guardians of civilization against the chaos that lurks at every corner. Meanwhile, the Azorius Senate, masters of manipulation and intrigue, recognize the value of embracing chaos as a means to achieve their goals.

Chaos Warp's ability to shuffle a target permanent into its owner's library and then reveal the top card is reminiscent of the cunning and unpredictability of the Azorius. It's a nod to the guild's willingness to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in pursuit of victory.

Players who use Chaos Warp often have a keen sense of spatial awareness, knowing exactly which permanents they need to remove from play to create an opening for their opponent. By shuffling away a problematic permanent and then drawing a new one, they can adapt to changing circumstances and catch their opponents off guard.

One popular strategy involves pairing Chaos Warp with cards like Boros Charm or Furnace of Rath, which allow players to gain life while also dealing damage to their opponent. By using these cards in conjunction with Chaos Warp, a player can create a powerful tempo advantage that's hard for their opponent to recover from.

In terms of character backstory, a player who wields Chaos Warp might be a charismatic and cunning Azorius wizard who has mastered the art of manipulation. They might see themselves as a force of chaos within the guild, using their magical abilities to disrupt the status quo and create opportunities for themselves and their allies.

When played in a more aggressive deck, Chaos Warp can become a game-changing card that turns the tables on an opponent's carefully laid plans. Its ability to adapt to changing circumstances makes it a valuable addition to any Ravnica-themed deck looking to push the boundaries of what is possible on the battlefield.