Three Steps Ahead 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
Spree (Choose one or more additional costs.) +— Counter target spell. +
— Create a token that's a copy of target artifact or creature you control. +
— Draw two cards, then discard a card.
How it works : Three Steps Ahead
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the first and/or second modes are chosen, then Three Steps Ahead has one or more targets. If so, and all its targets are illegal as it tries to resolve, Three Steps Ahead won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. If at least one target is still legal, the spell will resolve and modes with legal targets (and the third mode, if chosen) will have their effects.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The token copies exactly what was printed on the original permanent and nothing else (unless that permanent is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that permanent is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on.
Card named in this ruling
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent has
in its mana cost, X is 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent is a token, the token that’s created copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent is copying something else, then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that permanent copied.
Card named in this ruling
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied permanent will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this permanent] enters the battlefield” or “[this permanent] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the copied permanent will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
Spells with spree have a + (plus sign) indicator in the upper right corner of the card frame. This has no rules meaning and serves only to remind players that at least one additional cost is required to cast the spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
Each additional cost and associated mode in the text box is also preceded with a + indicator. These symbols also have no rules meaning and serve only to remind players that the listed costs are additional costs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
You must choose at least one of the listed modes and pay its associated additional cost in order to cast a spell with spree.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #10· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the modes as you cast the spell with spree. Once modes are chosen, they can’t be changed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #11· Wizards of the Coast
If a mode requires a target, you can select that mode only if there’s a legal target available. Ignore the targeting requirements for modes you don’t choose.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #12· Wizards of the Coast
No matter which modes you choose, you always follow the instructions in the order they are written.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #13· Wizards of the Coast
You can’t choose the same mode more than once.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #14· Wizards of the Coast
The mana value of a spell with spree is determined only by its mana cost (in the upper right corner of the card). It doesn’t matter which modes you choose or which additional costs you pay, including any additional costs imposed by other effects.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #15· Wizards of the Coast
No player can cast spells or activate abilities in between the modes of a resolving spell. Any abilities that trigger won’t be put onto the stack until the spell is done resolving.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #16· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell with spree is copied, the effect that creates the copy may allow you to choose new targets. You cannot choose new modes.
Card named in this ruling
- #17· Wizards of the Coast
If all targets for the chosen modes become illegal before a spell with spree resolves, the spell won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. If at least one target is still legal, the spell will resolve but will have no effect on any illegal targets.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #18· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect allows you to cast a spell with spree “without paying its mana cost,” you must still choose at least one mode and pay the associated additional costs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Dualcaster Mage + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus an additional to select its second mode, targeting a creature you control.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying
. - 3When Dualcaster Mage enters the battlefield, it triggers, copying Three Steps Ahead, targeting Dualcaster Mage.
- 4Resolve the copy of Three Steps Ahead, creating a token copy of Dualcaster Mage.
- 5Repeat from step 3.
Urza, Lord High Artificer + Worldwalker Helm + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps ahead selecting its second Spree cost by paying , creating a token copy of Worldwalker Helm and a Map token.
- 2Activate Urza's first ability by tapping a Worldwaker Helm and a Map, adding .
- 3Activate a Worldwalker Helm by paying and tapping it, creating a token copy of the Worldwalker Helm token plus a Map token for each Worldwalker Helm you control.
- 4Activate Urza's first ability twice by tapping two Maps, adding .
- 5Repeat from step 3.
Naru Meha, Master Wizard + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus another to select its second mode, targeting a creature you control.
- 2Holding priority, cast Naru Meha either from your hand or from the command zone by paying plus commander tax, if applicable.
- 3When Naru Meha enters the battlefield, it triggers, copying Three Steps Ahead, targeting Naru Meha.
- 4Resolve the copy of Three Steps Ahead, creating a token copy of Naru Meha.
- 5Put either Naru Meha into your graveyard due to the legend rule.
- 6Repeat from step 3.
Mirror-Mad Phantasm + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus an additional to select its second mode, creating a token copy of Mirror-Mad Phantasm.
- 2Activate the Mirror-Mad Phantasm token by paying , shuffling the token into your library and milling your entire library due to it not having a card named Mirror-Mad Phantasm in it.
Biovisionary + Thunderclap Drake + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Activate Thunderclap Drake by paying and sacrificing it.
- 2Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus an additional due to Thunderclap Drake to select its second mode, targeting Biovisionary.
- 3Thunderclap Drake triggers, copying Three Steps Ahead at least twice, with all copies targeting Biovisionary.
- 4Resolve all Three Steps Ahead spells, creating at least three copies of Biovisionary.
- 5At the beginning of your end step, each Biovisionary triggers, causing you to win the game.
Biovisionary + Echo Mage + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus an additional to select its second mode, targeting Biovisionary.
- 2Holding priority, activate Echo Mage by paying and tapping it, copying Three Steps Ahead twice, with both copies targeting Biovisionary.
- 3Resolve all Three Steps Ahead spells, creating three token copies of Biovisionary.
- 4At the beginning of your end step, each Biovisionary triggers. Resolve the first trigger, causing you to win the game.
Roxanne, Starfall Savant + Basalt Monolith + Three Steps Ahead
- 1Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying , creating a token copy of Basalt Monolith.
- 2Activate the token Basalt Monolith's first ability by tapping it, adding
. - 3Roxanne's second ability triggers, adding .
- 4Activate the token Basalt Monolith's second ability by paying , untapping it.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Storm-Kiln Artist + Sea Gate Stormcaller + Three Steps Ahead + Narset's Reversal
- 1Cast Sea Gate Stormcaller by paying .
- 2When Sea Gate Stormcaller enters the battlefield, it triggers, copying the next instant or sorcery spell you cast this turn with mana value 2 or less.
- 3Cast Three Steps Ahead by paying plus an additional to select its second mode, targeting Sea Gate Stormcaller.
- 4Sea Gate Stormcaller and Storm-Kiln Artist trigger.
- 5Resolve the Storm-Kiln Artist trigger, creating a Treasure token.
- 6Resolve the Sea Gate Stormcaller trigger, copying Three Steps Ahead, with the copy targeting Sea Gate Stormcaller.
- 7Storm-Kiln Artist triggers, creating a Treasure token.
- 8Resolve the copy of Three Steps Ahead, creating a token copy of Sea Gate Stormcaller with haste.
Related cards and tokens
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Meta decks with Three Steps Ahead
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.