Board the WeatherlightHow it works & interactions with other cards

Defining Historic Cards

A card is considered historic if it possesses at least one of three specific qualities: the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype. It is important to note that these qualities do not stack for additional benefits; a legendary artifact is just as historic as a non-legendary artifact. When you look at the top five cards of your library, you are checking for any card that fits one or more of these criteria.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Board the Weatherlight resolves, you first look at the top five cards of your library. From those five cards, you may choose to reveal exactly one historic card. If you do, that card is moved into your hand. Finally, all remaining cards that were not chosen—or all five if no historic card was selected—are placed on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Common Pitfalls

A frequent mistake is forgetting that 'historic' is a category, not a keyword on the card itself. You must check the type line of the cards you reveal. Additionally, because the cards put on the bottom are placed in a random order, you cannot choose the sequence in which they reside at the bottom of your deck. Also, remember that you are not required to take a card even if one is available; the ability uses the word 'may'.

Strategic Timing

Since Board the Weatherlight is a sorcery, it must be cast during your main phase when the stack is empty. It is best used early in the game to smooth out your draws or later in the game to dig for a specific legendary finisher or a utility artifact that can answer your opponent's threats.

Interaction examples

Finding a Specific Legend

You cast Board the Weatherlight and see a Mountain, two Plains, a creature without the legendary supertype, and a legendary creature. You reveal the legendary creature to your opponent, put it into your hand, and place the other four cards on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Interaction with Graveyard Recovery

Sevinne's Reclamation

If you use Board the Weatherlight and fail to find a historic card, it goes to your graveyard. Later, you can cast Sevinne's Reclamation targeting Board the Weatherlight to return it to the battlefield, but since Board the Weatherlight is a sorcery and not a permanent, it would remain in the graveyard. However, you can use Sevinne's Reclamation to return a historic permanent card that you might have missed or discarded earlier.

Comparing Search Effects

Open the Armory

While Open the Armory searches your entire library for an Aura or Equipment, Board the Weatherlight only looks at the top five cards. However, Board the Weatherlight is broader in what it can find, as it can grab any legendary card or Saga, whereas Open the Armory is limited to specific subtypes. If you have an Equipment that is also Legendary, both spells could potentially help you find it, though Board the Weatherlight requires it to be in the top five cards.