Sensei's Divining Top is a rare artifact that provides card advantage through its two abilities. Its first ability allows you to examine the top three cards of your library and rearrange them, potentially revealing valuable cards like Mox Opal or Tolaria West. The second ability draws a card while returning the Sensei's Divining Top to the top of your library.

This card is often used in Commander decks as a way to maintain a consistent draw engine and generate card advantage. Its power level is moderate, making it a solid addition to any deck that values card selection and manipulation.

Sensei's Divining Top is a rare artifact with two distinct abilities. The first ability allows the player to look at the top three cards of their library, then put them back in any order. This ability can be activated for 1 mana.

The second ability reads: "{T}: Draw a card, then put this artifact on top of its owner's library." This means that when the artifact is tapped, the player draws a card from their deck and puts the artifact on top of it. The artifact is destroyed as part of its ability, so it can only be played again after being retrieved in this manner.

One interesting interaction with Sensei's Divining Top involves using it in conjunction with cards like Sram's Expertise, which allows a player to draw three cards when an artifact dies. If the artifact that died was a copy of Sensei's Divining Top, the player would be able to put it on top of their library and use its ability again, potentially creating a loop where the player can keep drawing cards indefinitely.

Another notable interaction occurs with Gilded Lotus, which allows the player to add two mana to their pool when an artifact is tapped. When combined with Sensei's Divining Top, this creates an opportunity for rapid acceleration of mana production and subsequent card draw.

When playing with multiple copies of Sensei's Divining Top in a single deck, it's essential to keep track of how many have been put on top of the library, as only one can be played at a time.

Sensei's Divining Top is a versatile artifact that has found a home in various Commander decks. Its ability to manipulate the top of the library allows for strategic card selection and draws.

In Jeskai, White-Weiss (WUW) and Izzet, Red-Blue (UR) strategies, Sensei's Divining Top excels at finding key cards like Mox Opal, Sylvan Library, or Vandalblast. The artifact also synergizes well with draw-heavy commanders like Niv-Mizzet, Master of Elements and Karn, the Great Creator.

In more aggressive decks like Kenraks All Will Burn or Atraxa, Praetors Counsel, Sensei's Divining Top can help find removal spells like Abrupt Decay or Lightning Bolt. By putting the artifact on top of the library after drawing a card, players can maintain a consistent draw engine while also searching for key pieces.

In more tempo-focused decks like Estrid, the Masked, Sensei's Divining Top serves as a way to find cards in the late game. The artifact can help find a crucial Lightning Bolt or Mizzium Mortars when needed.

Some notable commanders that benefit from Sensei's Divining Top include:

• Niv-Mizzet, Master of Elements (WUW)
• Karn, the Great Creator (UGR)
• Estrid, the Masked (WG)
• Kenraks All Will Burn (GR)
• Atraxa, Praetors Counsel (BG)

Sensei's Divining Top is a valuable addition to any deck that requires flexible card selection and draws. Its ability to manipulate the top of the library makes it an attractive choice for commanders that rely on finding key cards at the right time.

Advanced Uses for Sensei's Divining Top

Sensei's Divining Top is an often-overlooked artifact, but its unique abilities make it a valuable addition to many Commander decks. Here are some advanced techniques to get the most out of this card:

• Combining with Tutors: Cards like Mox Opal, Vampiric Tutor, and Liliana of the Veil can tutor for Sensei's Divining Top, allowing you to search for it at instant speed. This combination enables quick access to your topdeck, giving you a significant advantage in the early game.
• Using with Ancestral Recall: When paired with Ancestral Recall, Sensei's Divining Top creates an explosive draw engine. By using Ancestral Recall to fetch your library and then using Sensei's Divining Top to look at the top three cards, you can essentially see four cards for one mana.
• Synergy with cards like Fact or Fiction: Fact or Fiction allows you to discard a card from your hand, which in turn enables Sensei's Divining Top's ability. This combination lets you manipulate your library while also gaining valuable information about your topdeck.

Rules Tricks

Sensei's Divining Top has several rules interactions worth noting:

• Card advantage: By putting the artifact on top of its owner's library after drawing a card, Sensei's Divining Top provides a net gain of one card. This allows you to maintain card advantage while also manipulating your library.
• Library manipulation: The artifact can be used to put cards from the top three back in any order, making it an essential tool for decks that rely on a specific card draw sequence.

Less-Obvious Uses

While Sensei's Divining Top is often thought of as a pure draw spell, its versatility extends beyond simple card advantage. Consider using it in combination with other cards to create complex interactions:

• Card filtering: By using Sensei's Divining Top to look at the top three cards and then putting them back in any order, you can effectively filter your library for specific cards.
• Game-changing information: Knowing what's in the top three cards of your library can be crucial in certain situations. Use Sensei's Divining Top to gain valuable insight into your deck's composition.

Examples and Variations

Here are some example decks and combinations that showcase Sensei's Divining Top:

• Mono-Blue Ancestral Recall: A classic combo deck that pairs well with Sensei's Divining Top.
• Ramp-Heavy Midrange: Decks that rely on ramping mana can use Sensei's Divining Top to accelerate their draw engine.
• Card Filter-Style Combo: Combine Sensei's Divining Top with cards like Sensei's Sanctum or Acererak's Chapeau for complex interactions and card filtering effects.

Remember, the key to mastering Sensei's Divining Top lies in its versatility. Experiment with different combinations and strategies to unlock its full potential.

Mistakes with Sensei's Divining Top

In Commander, players often misutilize Sensei's Divining Top, either due to a lack of understanding or poor synergy with their deck. Here are some common mistakes:

• Misunderstanding the timing of the oracle text: Players sometimes activate the ability at instant speed ({T}), but forget that they must put the artifact on top of its owner's library afterwards. This can lead to an unnecessary cost in terms of card draw.
• Not considering the library manipulation costs: When playing a card like Sensei's Divining Top, it's essential to factor in the potential for future turns when you'll need to use your top three cards again. Failing to account for this can result in suboptimal decisions.
• Underestimating the importance of mana efficiency: With a low CMC, Sensei's Divining Top is an excellent addition to any Commander deck. However, players sometimes neglect to consider how its cost affects their overall mana curve, potentially leading to issues with card advantage and tempo.
• Poor synergies with other cards: While Sensei's Divining Top pairs well with Mox Opal, Sol Ring, or other early-game accelerators, some players overlook the importance of having a consistent source of card draw. This can be particularly detrimental when combined with a deck's overall strategy.
• Inadequate library management: When using Sensei's Divining Top, it's crucial to maintain a well-organized library. Players who fail to do so may struggle to capitalize on the card's potential, ultimately leading to suboptimal gameplay.

Common examples of poor synergies include:

• Playing Sensei's Divining Top without sufficient early-game acceleration.
• Failing to develop a consistent draw engine, making it difficult to recover from an unfavorable board state.
• Ignoring the need for a robust library management strategy, which can hinder overall card advantage.

Sensei's Divining Top is an artifact card from the Magic: The Gathering set 2x2. It was first released in 2002 and has been reprinted several times since then.

The card allows its controller to look at the top three cards of their library, then put them back in any order. This can be a powerful tool for digging through one's deck and finding the right cards when needed. Additionally, the card allows its controller to draw a card and then put it on top of their library.

Sensei's Divining Top has been featured in various Commander decks and is often paired with other cards like Ancestral Recall or Mox Sapphire to create powerful combinations. However, its rarity and popularity have kept prices high, making it unaffordable for many players.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to Sensei's Divining Top, consider the following cards:

• Glimpse of Nature: This card offers a similar topdeck manipulation effect at a significantly lower price point.
• Mnemonic Etchings: This artifact provides an additional card draw effect that complements Sensei's Divining Top's abilities.

Keep in mind that each of these cards has its own strengths and weaknesses, so consider your specific Commander deck's needs before including them.

Sensei's Divining Top is a versatile artifact that offers a unique combination of card draw and library manipulation. To build around this card, consider the following Commanders, color identities, themes, and engines:

• Commanders: Sensei's Divining Top works well with commanders like Jace, the Mind Sculptor, Saheeli Rai】,【Daxos, the Returned, and Tatyova, Benthic Druid. These commanders offer a mix of card draw and library manipulation that complements the abilities of the Sensei's Divining Top.
• Color identities: The artifact can be easily incorporated into mono-color decks or multicolor decks with a focus on blue, as it requires minimal mana to function. In particular, blue decks benefit from the Sensei's Divining Top's ability to draw cards and manipulate the library.
• Themes: The card is well-suited for decks focused on:
  • Card draw: Decks featuring Ancestral Recall, Tolaria West】,【Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, or Mnemosphere can benefit from Sensei's Divining Top's ability to draw cards and manipulate the library.
  • Library manipulation: Decks centered around Library of Alexandria】,【Phantasmal Terrain】,【Daxos, the Returned, or Tatyova, Benthic Druid can use the artifact to move cards around in the library and create complex draw sequences.
• Engines: Sensei's Divining Top pairs well with engines that generate card advantage, such as:
  • Creatures: Fog Bank】,【Mire-Boggart Ambusher, or Vedalken Shackles can create an abundance of cards to manipulate in the library.
  • Auras: Decks featuring Ethersworn Canonist],[[Trostani's Summoner, or Kiora, Master of the Depths can use Sensei's Divining Top to move cards around and set up complex draw sequences.

Some specific synergy cards include:

• Glimpse of Nature: This card creates an abundance of green cards that can be manipulated by Sensei's Divining Top.
• Phantasmal Terrain: By using Sensei's Divining Top to move the Phantasmal Terrain around in the library, you can create complex draw sequences and generate an overwhelming amount of card advantage.
• Tolaria West: This card allows you to manipulate the library and set up a powerful draw sequence with Sensei's Divining Top.

Sensei's Divining Top: A Casual Staple

In Commander, Sensei's Divining Top is a staple in casual decks, particularly those with a high draw power or card advantage strategy. Its ability to look at the top three cards of your library and then put them back in any order provides an immense amount of card selection and flexibility. This can be especially potent when paired with other cards like Brainstorm, Ponder, or Daze, which allow for even more efficient draws.

In particular, Top's ability to manipulate the top of your library makes it a great fit for decks that rely on Mox Opal or other instant-speed mana ramp. By putting an artifact like this on top of its owner's library, you can create a self-sustaining loop of drawing cards and ramping up your mana.

In other formats, such as Modern or Pauper, Top is less competitive due to its high mana cost and relatively low impact in more aggressive decks.

Edhrec Rank: 197

While not particularly highly ranked on EDHREC, Sensei's Divining Top has a dedicated following among casual players. Its ability to generate card advantage and create complex draws can be too powerful for casual playgroups to ignore.

In terms of specific deck archetypes, Top is often found in:

• Mill decks, where its ability to manipulate the top of your library allows you to find key cards quickly.
• Card draw-heavy decks, where its card selection and flexibility are invaluable.
• Casual, non-competitive Commander decks that prioritize fun over competitiveness.

Overall, Sensei's Divining Top is a versatile artifact with significant potential in casual play. While it may not be as competitive as other options in more aggressive formats, its influence on the game is undeniable.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Sensei's Divining Top excels in the following scenarios:

• Combo-heavy decks: This card is a crucial component of combo decks, particularly those that rely on manipulating the top card of the library. When paired with cards like Mox Opal, City of Brass, or Lotus Petal, Sensei's Divining Top allows for an incredible amount of flexibility and depth.
• Mill decks: As a mill strategy gains popularity, Sensei's Divining Top becomes increasingly relevant. Its ability to draw a card while putting itself on top of the library is incredibly valuable in a deck that aims to discard all its cards.
• Competitive multiplayer games: In multi-player Commander games, Sensei's Divining Top can be used to create uncertainty and disrupt opponents' plans.

On the other hand, this card struggles in:

• Aggressive, low-tutor decks: Decks with limited tutors or no way to consistently dig through their library will find it challenging to make the most of Sensei's Divining Top. Without a consistent source of card draw, this card's value plummets.
• Early-game scenarios: While Sensei's Divining Top can provide a boost in the late game, its effects are less impactful early on when the opponent has more mana and can respond to threats more effectively.

Some notable cards that interact with or complement Sensei's Divining Top include:

• Mox Opal: A powerful tutor that allows for consistent digging through the library.
• City of Brass: An excellent card draw engine that pairs well with Sensei's Divining Top.
• Lotus Petal: A classic artifact that enables a steady stream of card draw and manipulation.
• Glimpse of Nature: A useful tool for disrupting opponents' plans, especially in multiplayer games.

In competitive Commander games, consider including cards like Doomsday, Tinker, or Ad Nauseam to maximize Sensei's Divining Top's potential.

Sensei's Divining Top has a history spanning over two decades. It was first released in the 2002 set, 2x2. This artifact card has been reprinted several times, including appearances in other sets like Masterwork of Ingenuity (2006), Shards of Alara (2008), and Modern Horizons (2019). Its ability to look at and reorder the top three cards of its owner's library has made it a popular choice for formats like Vintage and Commander.

In terms of tournament presence, Sensei's Divining Top has seen play in various Grand Prix events and Pro Tour matches. It is often paired with cards like Ancestral Recall Ancestral Recall or Mox Sapphire Mox Sapphire to create powerful combinations.

EDHREC statistics show that the card's popularity peaked around 2014, with an EDHREC rank of 45. While its current EDHREC rank has dropped to 197, it still appears in many Commander decks and is a staple in some Modern lists.

The card has also been featured in iconic decks like the "Sensei's Divining Top Combo" deck, which utilizes the artifact's ability to create a loop of drawing cards and putting them back on top of the library. This combo has been showcased in various online platforms and YouTube videos, further increasing the card's visibility.

In the world of Mirrodin, where the plane's history is intertwined with the machinations of the Urza brothers and their battle against the Phyrexians, Sensei's Divining Top is an artifact that embodies the spirit of curiosity and discovery. This rare relic from the 2x2 set resonates with the sense of wonder that defines the early days of the Mirrodin Academy.

As a student of the Academy, Keldon Marath, also known as the "Mad Hermit," would often use this artifact to aid him in his studies. By gazing into the Top's crystal core, he could glean valuable insights about the intricacies of life on Mirrodin and unlock new possibilities for his own research. The ancient knowledge contained within its depths would guide Marath as he navigated the intricate balance between his own interests and the needs of the Academy.

The artifact's ability to draw a card, followed by putting it back in any order atop its owner's library, represents the fluidity of information exchange during this period. Students and scholars alike were eager to share their findings, often leading to unexpected breakthroughs that propelled Mirrodin forward as a whole. By incorporating Sensei's Divining Top into one's deck, players can emulate Marath's thirst for knowledge and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.

In the eyes of many, Sensei's Divining Top stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and discovery on Mirrodin.