Thieves' FortuneHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Thieves' Fortune allows you to look at the top four cards of your library, keep one, and put the rest on the bottom. While its standard cost is three mana, the Prowl ability allows you to cast it for a single blue mana if you have dealt combat damage to a player with a Rogue creature earlier in the turn. Because it is a Kindred Instant with the Rogue subtype, it interacts with any effects that look for Rogue cards in your hand, graveyard, or on the stack.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the game checks if you have dealt combat damage to a player with a Rogue this turn; if so, you may pay the Prowl cost of {U} instead of {2}{U}. Once the spell is on the stack and resolves, you look at the top four cards of your library. You choose one card to put into your hand, then place the remaining three cards on the bottom of your library in any order you choose. The cards put on the bottom are not revealed to your opponent.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming Prowl requires the Rogue creature to still be on the battlefield; it only requires that combat damage was dealt by a Rogue at some point earlier in the turn. Additionally, remember that Prowl is an alternative cost, not a reduction. You still follow all timing rules for Instants, and the card's mana value (CMC) remains 3 regardless of which cost you paid to cast it.

When to Play It

The best time to cast Thieves' Fortune is during your post-combat main phase after a successful attack to take advantage of the Prowl discount. However, as an Instant, you can cast it during your opponent's turn for its full cost if you urgently need to find a reactive spell like a counter or a removal piece. It is an excellent tool for finding specific silver bullets in your deck.

Interaction examples

Finding Protection

Counterspell

After dealing combat damage with a Rogue, you cast Thieves' Fortune for its {U} Prowl cost. In your top four cards, you find Counterspell. You take it into your hand, ensuring you have the mana and the resources to protect your board during your opponent's next turn.

Digging Through Resistance

Arcane Denial

If your opponent attempts to remove your Rogue creature, you can cast Thieves' Fortune in response to look for an answer. If you find Arcane Denial, you can put it into your hand. While you won't get the Prowl discount unless you already dealt damage earlier that turn, the deep dig helps you find the specific interaction needed to keep your tempo.