Unlocking the Power of Preordain: A Deep Dive into Urza's Guild Artifact

TL;DR Summary

Preordain is a powerful artifact that allows for significant card draw and scrying capabilities, giving players valuable insight into their opponents' libraries and enabling more informed decision-making. By forcing opponents to scry two cards, Preordain can provide a substantial advantage in controlling the pace of the game.

Understanding the Guild Ability

As an artifact with the Guild keyword ability, Preordain requires a player to pay {1} at the beginning of their upkeep step. This allows players to tap it during their turn for additional card draw and scrying effects. When played, Preordain forces opponents to scry two cards, which means they will look at the top two cards of their library and put any number of them on the bottom in a specific order.

For example, if a player is looking at the top two cards of their library with the following order: Ace of {W}, Queen of {B}}, they would be forced to put the Queen of {B}} on the bottom and leave the Ace of {W} on top. This can provide valuable information about an opponent's hand, allowing a player to make more informed decisions about which cards to play.

Strategic Uses and Synergies

Preordain is often played in combo decks that rely on card draw and scrying effects. One common combination is pairing Preordain with other scry effects, such as Infinite Combinations or Sower of Time. This allows players to gain significant card advantage over their opponents.

Another strategic use for Preordain is in control decks that rely on manipulating the top cards of an opponent's library. By forcing opponents to scry two cards, players can disrupt their plans and make it more difficult for them to cast spells or activate abilities.

In addition, Preordain can be used in combo decks that involve card drawing and discard effects, such as Doomed Dissenter or Memory Loss. This allows players to gain access to powerful cards while also removing threats from the board.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Preordain is typically played in aggressive control decks that rely on card draw and scrying effects. These decks often feature a mix of artifact, creature, and enchantment cards that can be used to generate card advantage.

Some popular archetype combinations for Preordain include:

• Combo Aggro: Pairing Preordain with other scry effects and creatures like Goblin Guide or Monastery Swiftspear to quickly swarm the board.
• Control Deck: Using Preordain in conjunction with other control spells, such as Counterspell or Dissolve, to disrupt opponents' plans.
• Mill Deck: Combining Preordain with cards like Memory Loss and Chandra's Defiance to generate card advantage and remove threats from the board.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Preordain has been a staple of competitive Magic: The Gathering for many years, particularly in formats that emphasize control and combo gameplay. In formats like Modern and Standard, Preordain is often played in combination with other artifact cards, such as Arcane Signet or Urza's Tower, to generate card advantage.

In newer formats like Commander and Legacy, Preordain has become a popular addition to control decks due to its ability to disrupt opponents' plans. However, it can be less viable in formats with more emphasis on aggressive play, such as Pauper or Draft.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Preordain is not affected by Mana Leak, since scrying only occurs when a player looks at the top cards of their library. However, if a player uses Counterspell to counter an effect that requires them to scry two cards, they will still be forced to scry two cards.

It's also worth noting that Preordain can be used in combination with other artifact effects, such as Glimpse of Nature, which allows players to look at the top card of their library and put it on the bottom. This can provide additional insight into an opponent's hand and help a player make more informed decisions about which cards to play.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Preordain is one of several artifact cards from Urza's Guild, a series introduced in the late 1990s. The guild was designed by mathematician and scientist Raymond Henry, who drew inspiration from his work on game theory and artificial intelligence.

The card art for Preordain depicts a stylized representation of an ancient guild hall, with intricate carvings and mysterious symbols etched into the walls. This reflects the artifact's theme as a powerful tool used by the guild to gain insight into the world around them.

Key Points Summary

• Preordain is a powerful artifact that allows for significant card draw and scrying capabilities.
• By forcing opponents to scry two cards, players can gain valuable information about their library and make more informed decisions about which cards to play.
• Preordain is often played in combo decks that rely on card draw and scrying effects, as well as control decks that focus on disrupting opponents' plans.
• It's typically played in aggressive control decks that feature a mix of artifact, creature, and enchantment cards.

Conclusion

Preordain is a versatile and powerful artifact that has been a staple of Magic: The Gathering for many years. Its ability to force opponents to scry two cards provides significant insight into their library, allowing players to make more informed decisions about which cards to play. Whether played in combo decks or control decks, Preordain remains a popular addition to competitive and casual games alike.

Preordain's flexibility and power have made it a staple of many formats, from Modern and Standard to Commander and Legacy. Its ability to disrupt opponents' plans and generate card advantage makes it a valuable addition to any deck looking to gain an edge over its opponent.