PreordainHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Preordain allows you to perform two distinct actions in a specific order: Scry 2 and then draw a card. First, you look at the top two cards of your library. You can choose to put both on the bottom, both on top in any order, or one on top and one on the bottom. After you have finished scrying, you draw the top card of your library.

How it Resolves Step by Step

When Preordain resolves, you first look at the top two cards of your library. You make your decision on where they go while they are still in that zone. If you put any on top, you decide their relative order. Once those cards are placed, the scry action is complete. Finally, you draw the top card, which will be one of the cards you just kept on top or a new card if you put both on the bottom.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting the order of operations. You must complete the Scry 2 entirely before drawing your card. Another mistake is revealing the cards you look at; scrying is a private action, and only you should see the cards. Additionally, remember that you cannot shuffle your library with Preordain like you might with other cantrips; you only have the choice of top or bottom.

When to Play It

Preordain is best used in the early turns to smooth out your land drops or find specific combo pieces. Because it provides better selection than a simple draw spell, it is highly valued in formats where consistency is key. It is also an excellent way to trigger abilities that care about casting noncreature spells while replacing itself in your hand.

Interaction examples

Filtering with Preordain

You cast Preordain and look at the top two cards: a Land and a high-cost creature. You need a Land, so you put the Land on top and the creature on the bottom. You then draw the Land, successfully fixing your next turn.

Compared to Ponder

Ponder

While Ponder lets you look at three cards and offers a shuffle, Preordain allows you to permanently remove unwanted cards by putting them on the bottom. If you see two cards you don't like with Ponder, you must shuffle the whole library; with Preordain, you can put both away and draw a fresh third card immediately.

Efficiency Sequence

Gitaxian Probe

If you have both spells, you might cast Gitaxian Probe first to see your opponent's hand and check if the coast is clear. Then, you cast Preordain to specifically dig for the counterspell or removal piece needed to beat what you saw in their hand.