When it comes to Magic: The Gathering cards, more expensive isn’t always better. The budget deck is a time-honored tradition, and there’s a ton of power to be found in the bottoms of bulk bins if you dig deep enough. We saw a great example of this theory in action this week, as Rediscover the Way, a $0.14 bulk rare from Tarkir: Dragonstorm, found its way into a powerful MTG Modern deck.
That deck is Jeskai Energy, an offbeat spin on the Boros lists that have been dominating in the format for a while now. With Boros slipping at recent events, there’s a real opportunity for a fresh take like this to climb the ranks. Rediscover the Way could be the card that helps it do so. On top of that, it’s also seeing significant play in Jeskai Control decks in Standard. We could be about to enter a Jeskai Summer at this rate, and if we do, Rediscover the Way won’t stay $0.14 for long.
Rediscover The Way MTG
- Mana Value: URW
- Rarity: Rare
- Type: Enchantment – Saga
- Card Text: (As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I and II — Look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
III — Whenever you cast a noncreature spell this turn, target creature you control gains double strike until end of turn.
If you’re scratching your head trying to remember what Rediscover the Way even is, that’s understandable. The card didn’t generate much buzz when revealed. It’s also been totally overshadowed by Tarkir powerhouses like Cori-Steel Cutter and Voice of Victory. It’s actually a very serviceable card, however, as recent results are now proving.
In Standard, Rediscover the Way is often seen as part of popular tier two deck Jeskai Control. In this deck it serves as additional copies of Stock Up, the best draw spell in recent memory. While it’s slower and harder to cast, it ultimately digs you deeper into your deck, so the two are certainly comparable. This extra selection helps you stay on top of the threats your opponent presents, which is key for a Control deck.
Rediscover the Way also has some nice extra synergy with Shiko, Paragon of the Way, one of the best value cards in Jeskai Control. Shiko can cast Rediscover from the ‘yard on entry, whether you used all of its chapters before or just dumped it with a Surveil land. It’s also a great target for the Double Strike effect on chapter three, though that’s more of a secondary concern overall.
While Rediscover the Way is solid in Jeskai Control, MTG players are starting to move away from it in Standard. Recent 5-0 League lists don’t run the card much at all, instead opting for more immediately impactful picks. That said, this isn’t where the card’s story ends. Surprisingly enough, it is starting to see some use in an even more competitive Magic format.
Modern Mastery
That format is Modern, where Rediscover the Way is seeing use in Jeskai Energy Control. This has been a fringe deck in the format for a while. It pairs the efficient threats of Boros Energy with a bunch of quality removal and countermagic. In yesterday’s Modern Gold League, Galanator piloted a version of the deck running a full playset of Rediscover the Way to a 5-0 finish.
For the most part, the card is in the deck just to serve as a draw spell. The list already runs the full complement of Stock Up, and this card essentially serves as copies five through eight. For Control decks like this, having the right answer at the right time is everything. You need to find your Consign to Memory against Eldrazi decks, for instance, and your threats when your opponent leaves you an opening. Rediscover the Way gives you excellent card selection across two turns, which helps achieve that goal handsomely.
Chapter three isn’t as useful here as it would be in other decks. Galanator’s list only runs eight total creatures, so the chances of having one out when this chapter lands are low. That said, both of the creatures it runs do play very nicely with Double Strike. Phlage gets to hit for 12 after clearing the way with its free Lightning Helix. Solitude has Lifelink, which means Double Strike lets it heal you for six in one swing, relieving a lot of pressure from decks like Izzet Prowess.
Overall, Rediscover the Way is a great addition to Modern Jeskai Energy. It looks clunky and expensive on the surface, but in practice, it clearly puts in work.
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