Planar GenesisHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Planar Genesis allows you to look at the top four cards of your library and choose one of two paths. You can either put a land card from those four directly onto the battlefield tapped, or if you choose not to (or there are no lands), you take one of those four cards and put it into your hand. The remaining three cards are tucked away at the bottom of your library in a random order.

Resolving the Spell Step-by-Step

First, you look at the top four cards of your library; your opponents do not see these cards. Second, check for land cards. If you find one and want to ramp, put it onto the battlefield tapped. Third, if you didn't put a land onto the battlefield—either because you chose not to or because no lands were present—choose any one of the four cards to put into your hand. Finally, place all remaining cards on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that you can get both a land and a card in hand; the card text uses 'If you don't,' meaning the effects are mutually exclusive. Additionally, remember that any land put onto the battlefield this way enters tapped, so you cannot use it for mana immediately on the same turn it arrives.

When to Play It

As an instant, Planar Genesis is best played on your opponent's end step. This allows you to keep mana open for interaction and decide whether you need to accelerate your mana production for the following turn or dig for a specific spell to progress your game plan.

Interaction examples

Finding Protection

Counterspell

You cast Planar Genesis at the end of your opponent's turn. Among the top four cards, you see a land and a Counterspell. Since you already have enough mana, you choose not to put the land into play. Instead, you put the Counterspell into your hand to prepare for your opponent's next threat.

Strategic Removal

Beast Within

Your opponent has a dangerous permanent on the board. You cast Planar Genesis looking for an answer. You find a Beast Within among the top four cards. By choosing not to put a land onto the battlefield, you can put Beast Within into your hand and cast it immediately to deal with the threat.