MTG Scry Temples — Complete Guide
Scry temples always enter tapped but provide scry 1 when they do, letting you see your next draw and decide whether to keep it or send it to the bottom. The scry is genuine card selection in the early game, making temples strong in control and combo decks that value knowing what comes next over tempo.
All 10 Scry Temples
| Card | Colors |
|---|---|
| Temple of Enlightenment | White/Blue (Azorius) |
| Temple of Silence | White/Black (Orzhov) |
| Temple of Triumph | White/Red (Boros) |
| Temple of Plenty | White/Green (Selesnya) |
| Temple of Deceit | Blue/Black (Dimir) |
| Temple of Epiphany | Blue/Red (Izzet) |
| Temple of Mystery | Blue/Green (Simic) |
| Temple of Malice | Black/Red (Rakdos) |
| Temple of Malady | Black/Green (Golgari) |
| Temple of Abandon | Red/Green (Gruul) |
Key Details
- Tier: Budget (3/3)
- Entry: Always enters tapped.
- Fetchable: No
- Cards in cycle: 10
Format Legality
| Standard | Pioneer | Modern | Legacy | Commander |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Strategy
Temples are acceptable in control decks where the scry matters and the tempo loss is manageable. In aggressive decks, never run them. The tapped entry costs you a full turn of tempo, which is devastating when you need to curve out. In Commander, temples are budget-friendly but outclassed by pain lands and check lands.
Related Cycles
- Tap Tri-Lands — ETB tapped. Tap for one of three colors.
- Snow Duals — ETB tapped. Snow land with two basic land types — fetchable.
- Typed Duals — ETB tapped. Two basic land types — fetchable. No abilities.
- Slow Fetches — ETB tapped. Tap, sac: search for a land with one of two basic types.
- Bounce Lands — ETB tapped. Return a land to hand. Tap for 2 colors.
Build Your Mana Base
Use our Mana Base Calculator to find the right mix of Scry Temples and other duals for your deck. Paste a Moxfield or Archidekt link and get Monte Carlo-simulated land counts. See every cycle in our index of all 48 land cycles, or read the MTG Dual Lands Guide for which ones to buy first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are scry temples good?
In control and combo decks that value card selection over speed, yes. In aggro or tempo decks, no. The tapped entry is a full turn behind, which is the difference between winning and losing against fast opponents.