Omniscience is one of the most iconic blue enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, frequently featured in powerful Commander decks and combo strategies. Known for its game-breaking ability to let you cast spells without paying mana costs, this card often appears in discussions around deck optimization, card value, and long-term strategies. Popular among both casual and competitive players, Omniscience is a card that sparks creativity while offering massive power potential. Whether you’re browsing through Card Kingdom to upgrade your deck or studying high-value blue enchantments, understanding how Omniscience works is essential for any serious MTG player.
What is Omniscience?
Card Details
Omniscience is a blue enchantment with the following characteristics:
- Mana Cost: {7}{U}{U}{U}
- Card Type: Enchantment
- Set Appearances: M13, Ultimate Masters, Double Masters 2022
- Rarity: Mythic Rare
Its effect is simple but game-defining:You may cast spells from your hand without paying their mana costs. This means once Omniscience hits the battlefield, your resources become nearly limitless turning the rest of your hand into a threat, regardless of mana availability.
Flavor and Artwork
The flavor text and artwork of Omniscience represent pure knowledge and magical power. The original artwork, depicting a serene yet powerful image of thought and clarity, supports its identity as a game-changing enchantment tied to arcane mastery. The card is often featured in control and combo decks that emphasize card advantage and explosive turns.
How Omniscience Works
Gameplay Mechanics
When you control Omniscience, you can cast any spell in your hand for free. This does not bypass other casting restrictions, such as timing rules for sorceries or color-specific requirements in cards like Split Second. However, you don’t need to spend any mana, which opens up endless combo possibilities.
Rules Clarifications
- Omniscience does not apply to cards in your graveyard, exile, or library it only affects cards in your hand.
- You still need to fulfill other costs, such as sacrificing creatures or discarding cards, if required by the spell.
- If Omniscience is removed from the battlefield, you can no longer cast spells for free.
Understanding how to sequence your plays and maintain protection for the enchantment becomes crucial, especially in competitive formats where removal is common.
Omniscience in Different Formats
Commander (EDH)
Omniscience is a powerhouse in Commander. With higher starting life totals and slower pacing, you often have time to set up for a massive play. It synergizes well with Commanders that draw lots of cards or reduce costs, such as Jodah, Archmage Eternal or Narset, Enlightened Exile. Once on the field, it allows players to unleash their hand in one explosive turn.
Legacy and Casual Play
In Legacy, Omniscience has seen play in combo decks that aim to cheat it into play with cards like Show and Tell. Once active, it becomes a central piece of combo finishes using cards like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn or Griselbrand. In casual settings, players love to pair it with large, splashy spells that would otherwise be hard to cast normally.
Limited and Standard
In limited formats like draft or sealed, Omniscience is hard to cast due to its high mana cost. It generally has not appeared in Standard formats for the same reason, although reprints in Masters sets continue to make it accessible for other formats and collections.
Combos and Synergies
Cheating Omniscience into Play
Since casting Omniscience for {10} mana is often unrealistic, many decks include ways to cheat it onto the battlefield. Popular options include:
- Show and Tell Each player puts a permanent onto the battlefield. Ideal for sneaking in Omniscience early.
- Academy Rector When it dies, you may search your library for an enchantment and put it directly onto the battlefield.
- Tooth and Nail Can help assemble a combo that supports casting Omniscience indirectly.
Card Draw Engines
Once Omniscience is active, drawing cards becomes the most powerful thing you can do. Drawing into more free spells creates value and potential victory conditions:
- Enter the Infinite Draw your entire library, then cast your win condition.
- BrainstormorPonder Low-cost card selection spells become even stronger when they don’t cost any mana.
- Consecrated Sphinx Generates absurd card advantage when every card can be played for free.
Win Conditions
After casting all your spells, you still need a way to win. Some popular finisher options include:
- Laboratory ManiacorThassa’s Oracle Win by drawing your deck.
- Emrakul, the Aeons Torn Take an extra turn and attack with an indestructible 15/15.
- Aetherflux Reservoir Gain life and deal 50 damage to opponents after chaining multiple free spells.
Buying Omniscience from Card Kingdom
Availability and Price Trends
Omniscience is regularly listed on Card Kingdom in both new and used conditions. Its price can vary depending on the set and card condition. Versions from the original M13 set or foil variants from Masters sets tend to be more expensive. The card maintains steady demand due to its utility in Commander and combo formats.
Card Variants
There are multiple printings of Omniscience:
- Core Set 2013 (M13): The original release with classic artwork.
- Ultimate Masters: Introduced new artwork and featured in collector products.
- Double Masters 2022: Offered extended art and borderless foil versions for collectors.
Whether you’re a budget player or a collector, Card Kingdom offers a range of options to suit your needs.
Tips for Playing Omniscience
Protect the Enchantment
Because of its high impact, Omniscience will draw removal. Prepare to protect it using:
- Counterspells Hold up interaction like Swan Song or Force of Will.
- Flicker effects Use cards like Ghostway to briefly remove key permanents in response to board wipes.
- Teferi, Time Raveler Prevent opponents from interacting on your turn.
Don’t Overcommit
Once you cast Omniscience, it’s tempting to cast your entire hand. However, if you’re not in a winning position, consider holding key cards in case the board resets. Always think a few turns ahead to avoid overextending into removal or counters.
Omniscience is a legendary enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that rewards planning, combo potential, and creativity. Its unique ability to let players cast spells without paying mana costs turns it into a cornerstone of many Commander and Legacy decks. Whether you’re seeking to unleash massive turns or simply looking for the next powerful upgrade for your blue deck, Omniscience is a card worth considering. With its availability on platforms like Card Kingdom and continued popularity across formats, it remains one of the most exciting enchantments to build around in Magic history.