Omniscience changes gameplay completely!
Omniscience is celebrated for its game-changing potential and the sheer power it offers to those who can cast it, making it a sought-after card for many players who enjoy combo and control strategies.
Strategic Implications
Game-Changing Ability:
Omniscience's ability to let you cast spells for free can drastically alter the course of a game. It's often the linchpin in a deck, allowing for explosive turns where the player can cast multiple high-cost spells without any mana constraints.
Due to its potential to shift the game's momentum, opponents often prioritize countering or removing Omniscience as soon as it hits the battlefield.
Control and Combo Decks:
Control Decks: These decks use Omniscience to gain a decisive late-game advantage. They typically focus on stalling the game, using counterspells, removal, and card draw to survive until they can cast Omniscience.
Combo Decks: These decks use Omniscience as a way to execute complex, game-winning combos. For example, a common combo involves casting Enter the Infinite to draw the entire library, then using cards like Laboratory Maniac or Thassa's Oracle to win the game on the spot.
Mana Ramp and Acceleration:
Since Omniscience costs 10 mana (7UUU), decks often include mana ramp and acceleration to cast it earlier than turn 10. Cards like Mana Crypt, Sol Ring, and Dream Halls can help achieve this.
Show and Tell is another popular card that can put Omniscience directly onto the battlefield from your hand, bypassing its high mana cost.
Card Draw and Tutors:
To maximize the benefit of casting spells for free, decks often include a substantial amount of card draw. Spells like Brainstorm, Ponder, and Jace, the Mind Sculptor help refill your hand.
If the deck plays Black, tutors like Demonic Tutor, and Vampiric Tutor can fetch Omniscience or other key combo pieces.
Win Conditions:
Once Omniscience is on the battlefield, the deck needs efficient ways to win the game. These can include:
Storm Spells: Grapeshot or Tendrils of Agony, which can be cast repeatedly to build up a lethal storm count.
Direct Damage: Cards like Fireball or Exsanguinate.
Alternate Win Conditions: Laboratory Maniac, Jace, Wielder of Mysteries, or Thassa's Oracle.
Anti-Synergy Cards:
Cards that restrict spell casting, like Rule of Law or Eidolon of Rhetoric, can hinder the effectiveness of Omniscience by limiting the number of spells you can cast each turn.
Opponents’ counterspells and enchantment removal (e.g., Disenchant, Naturalize) can disrupt your plans, making protective spells or countermeasures important.
Commander (EDH):
In Commander, Omniscience is a popular choice for blue-heavy decks that can support the high mana cost. Commanders like Jodah, Archmage Eternal and Narset, Enlightened Exile can help cast Omniscience more easily.
The slower pace of Commander and access to multiple mana ramp and tutor cards make Omniscience a powerful late-game play.