Stream of Consciousness 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
Target player shuffles up to four target cards from their graveyard into their library.
Complete guide
Stream of Consciousness is a versatile blue instant that provides graveyard manipulation and library protection. As an Arcane spell, it offers unique synergies for Kamigawa-era strategies while serving as a reliable way to recycle resources or disrupt an opponent's graveyard.
What It Does
Stream of Consciousness targets one player and up to four specific cards in that player's graveyard. When the spell resolves, the player shuffles those chosen cards back into their library. You can even choose to target zero cards if you simply want to force a shuffle effect.
Resolution Step-by-Step
First, you choose a target player and between zero and four target cards in their graveyard. Upon resolution, if the player is still a legal target, they shuffle their library. If you targeted specific cards and they are still in the graveyard, those cards are moved into the library before the shuffle. If all targeted cards are removed from the graveyard before resolution, the player still shuffles their library as long as they are a legal target.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is trying to target Stream of Consciousness itself to create an infinite loop. However, a spell on the stack is not in the graveyard, so it cannot be one of its own targets. Additionally, remember that you, the caster, choose the cards to be shuffled, not the target player.
Strategic Timing
This spell is best used at the end of an opponent's turn or in response to graveyard recursion. Since it is an Instant, you can use it to rescue key cards in response to exile effects or to shuffle away an opponent's combo piece before they can return it to their hand.
Interaction examples
CounterspellIf you have already cast Counterspell earlier in the game, it sits in your graveyard. You cast Stream of Consciousness targeting yourself and that Counterspell. When the spell resolves, the Counterspell is shuffled back into your library, allowing you to draw and use it again later.
An Offer You Can't RefuseSuppose you cast Stream of Consciousness targeting four cards. In response, your opponent casts An Offer You Can't Refuse to counter it. Stream of Consciousness is moved to the graveyard, the targets stay where they are, and you create two Treasure tokens. Because the spell was countered, no shuffling occurs.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Stream of Consciousness
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If you target any cards in a graveyard and those cards all become illegal targets, the target player simply shuffles their library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Stream of Consciousness can’t be one of the target cards you shuffle into your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the target cards; the target player doesn’t. They may offer suggestions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You may target zero cards in any graveyard and have a target player simply shuffle their library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Mirror Sheen + Desperate Ritual + Stream of Consciousness
- 1Cast Stream of Consciousness by paying its mana cost, targeting yourself.
- 2Holding priority, cast Desperate Ritual by paying its splice cost, adding its effects onto Stream of Consciousness.
- 3Holding priority, activate Mirror Sheen by paying
, copying Stream of Consciousness, which also has the effects of Desperate Ritual, targeting a player - 4Resolve Stream of Consciousness, adding
. - 5Repeat from step 3.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Stream of Consciousness
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.