Endless Detour is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
The owner of target spell, nonland permanent, or card in a graveyard puts it on their choice of the top or bottom of their library.
Complete guide
Endless Detour is a versatile Bant instant that offers a unique brand of interaction by manipulating the position of cards across different zones. Whether you need to delay a threat on the stack, remove a problematic permanent, or recycle a resource from your graveyard, this card provides incredible utility. Its ability to bypass traditional 'cannot be countered' restrictions makes it a powerful tool in any control or midrange shell.
Versatility Across Zones
The primary strength of Endless Detour lies in its ability to target three distinct types of objects: spells on the stack, nonland permanents on the battlefield, and cards in graveyards. Unlike a traditional removal spell or counterspell, it doesn't destroy or exile its target. Instead, it forces the owner to place the target back into their library. Because the card is moved to the library rather than being countered, it effectively bypasses protection against countering, making it an excellent answer to uncounterable threats.
Resolution Step-by-Step
When Endless Detour resolves, you first identify the target and its owner. The owner of that card (or spell) then chooses whether to put it on the top of their library or the bottom. If the target was a spell, it is removed from the stack and put into the library; if it was a permanent, it moves from the battlefield; and if it was in a graveyard, it moves from there. If the target was a token, it briefly enters the library before ceasing to exist as a state-based action.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
A common mistake is assuming the caster of Endless Detour chooses the card's destination. The text explicitly states the owner of the target makes the choice between top or bottom. Additionally, remember that this spell cannot target land cards on the battlefield, though it can target land cards in a graveyard. Finally, since it does not 'counter' a spell, any 'when this spell is countered' triggers will not fire.
When to Cast It
Use Endless Detour defensively to tuck a game-ending threat back into an opponent's deck, or use it proactively to save one of your own key pieces from removal by putting it on top of your library to draw again. It is also an effective way to stop graveyard recursion strategies by targeting a key card in response to a reanimation spell.
Interaction examples
CounterspellIf an opponent casts a spell that 'cannot be countered,' a Counterspell would fail to stop it. However, you can cast Endless Detour targeting that spell. Because Endless Detour puts the spell into the library instead of countering it, the spell is removed from the stack and will not resolve.
Beast WithinIf an opponent has a 3/3 Beast token created by Beast Within, you can target it with Endless Detour. The owner of the token chooses to put it on the top or bottom of their library. Once it reaches the library, the token ceases to exist. This effectively removes the creature without triggering 'dies' effects.
If you have a powerful card in your graveyard that you need to see again, you can cast Endless Detour targeting that card in your own graveyard. As the owner, you choose to put it on top of your library, ensuring that your next draw step yields the specific card you need to turn the tide of the game.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Endless Detour
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If Endless Detour targets a token, that token is put into the library, then ceases to exist.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Endless Detour doesn't counter spells. A spell that can't be countered can still be put on the top or bottom of its owner's library this way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The card's owner chooses whether to put it on the top or bottom of their library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If multiple cards are put into the library this way (such as when the spell targets a melded permanent), that permanent's owner puts all the cards on top or all the cards on the bottom. They put them in whatever order they wish, and do not need to reveal the order.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Endless Detour + Approach of the Second Sun
- 1Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying
. - 2Holding priority, cast Endless Detour by paying
, putting Approach of the Second Sun on top of your library. - 3Draw Approach of the Second Sun from your library.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , causing you to win the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Leyline of Anticipation
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Leyline of Anticipation.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + High Fae Trickster
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using High Fae Trickster.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Heliod, the Radiant Dawn // Heliod, the Warped Eclipse
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Heliod, the Warped Eclipse.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Tidal Barracuda
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Tidal Barracuda.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Kianne, Corrupted Memory
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Kianne.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Vedalken Orrery
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Vedalken Orrery.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Approach of the Second Sun + Endless Detour + Wizards of Thay
- 1During the opponent's end step immediately before your turn, cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying using Wizards of Thay.
- 2In response, cast Endless Detour by paying its mana cost, putting Approach of the Sun on top of your library.
- 3In your draw step, draw Approach of the Second Sun.
- 4Cast Approach of the Second Sun by paying , winning the game.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Endless Detour
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.