Is Mystical Tutor legal in Standard, Modern, and Commander?

Mystical Tutor is legal in: Commander. It is banned in: Legacy, Historic.

What type of card is Mystical Tutor?

Mystical Tutor is an Instant. Its oracle text reads: "Search your library for an instant or sorcery card, reveal it, then shuffle and put that card on top."

Mystical Tutor

Instant

Search your library for an instant or sorcery card, reveal it, then shuffle and put that card on top.

Set Mirage

Rarity Uncommon

Artist David O'Connor

Standard	Not legal
Pioneer	Not legal
Modern	Not legal
Legacy	Banned
Vintage	Restricted
Commander	Legal
Pauper	Not legal
Historic	Banned

Why Play Mystical Tutor

At just one blue mana, this tutor provides incredible efficiency by finding any instant or sorcery at instant speed. Combo decks rely on it to assemble their win conditions, while control decks use it to fetch the perfect answer for next turn. The instant speed timing allows you to respond to threats by tutoring up counterspells or removal, or to set up your combo pieces at the end of your opponent's turn for maximum surprise factor.

Format Notes

Mystical Tutor sees heavy play in Commander, where its ability to find key spells in singleton formats makes it invaluable for consistency. The card is banned in Legacy and Historic due to its power level enabling too-consistent combo kills, particularly in storm and other spell-based combo decks. In Commander, it remains a staple in blue-based combo and control strategies, though its high monetary value keeps it out of many budget builds.

Combos & Synergies

Storm decks use Mystical Tutor to find Tendrils of Agony or other finishers, while Ad Nauseam combo decks tutor for their namescard to draw into victory. The card pairs exceptionally well with Brainstorm, allowing you to tutor and then immediately draw the card while shuffling away unwanted cards. Top-of-library manipulation like Sensei's Divining Top creates powerful synergy loops, letting you repeatedly access your tutored spell.