Path of the EnigmaHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

This spell has two main components: drawing cards and the Will of the Planeswalkers mechanic. First, you choose a target player (usually yourself) to draw four cards. Then, a voting process occurs to determine if you move to a new plane or trigger a chaos ability. Unlike many voting spells, a tie results in chaos rather than a neutral outcome.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the target player draws four cards. After the drawing is complete, the Will of the Planeswalkers process begins. Starting with you and proceeding in turn order, each player votes for 'planeswalk' or 'chaos'. You count the votes: if 'planeswalk' has the majority, you move to the next plane in the planar deck. If 'chaos' wins or if the vote is tied, the 'chaos ensues' effect is triggered for the current plane.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that the vote happens after the cards are drawn. This means the target player can use their newly drawn cards to inform their vote, but they cannot cast any non-instant spells between drawing and voting. Additionally, remember that in a tie, chaos always wins; the 'planeswalk' option requires a strict majority to succeed.

When to Play It

Since Path of the Enigma costs five mana, it is best played when you need to dig for answers or when the current plane's chaos ability is particularly beneficial to your board state. It is an excellent tool for shifting the game's momentum in multiplayer formats like Commander where Planechase rules are active.

Interaction examples

Refilling the Hand

Distant Melody

If you are playing a tribal deck and have few creatures, Distant Melody might only draw one or two cards. Path of the Enigma provides a guaranteed four cards regardless of your board state, then potentially moves you to a plane that helps you rebuild your army.

Clearing the Path

Raise the Palisade

You can use Path of the Enigma to draw into your board wipes like Raise the Palisade. If you draw it and then the vote results in 'chaos ensues,' you might get an additional effect from the plane that weakens your opponents before you cast your sweepers on the next turn.