As the starting point to the four-part Phyrexian arc, Dominaria United is all about story. Despite this, one of the set’s main mechanics lets you skip that story to get right to the good bits. Fittingly named Read Ahead, this MTG mechanic reinvents a classic Dominaria mechanic, Sagas.
First introduced in 2018, Sagas have been on quite a journey since their first appearance. After being most recently turned into double-faced cards in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, Sagas now have their own keyword. As a breath of fresh compared to some other recent MTG mechanics, Read Ahead is also mercifully simple.
While the mechanic’s name explains a lot, here’s everything you need to know about Read Ahead in Dominaria United!
What Is Read Ahead in MTG?
Introduced in Dominaria United, Read Ahead is a brand new mechanic only found on Sagas. As the name somewhat suggests, Read Ahead lets you skip chapters of a Saga when it comes into play. Specifically, according to the reminder text, you “choose a chapter and start with that many lore counters.” For reference, chapters in Sagas are the triggered abilities marked by roman numerals on the side of the card.
It’s important to note that chapters skipped through this process are not triggered. Once the Saga is in play, it follows the normal rules for Saga enchantments. This means that during your draw step, a lore counter will be added to the Saga and the relevant ability triggered. The Saga will also be sacrificed, as usual, upon the completion of the Saga’s final chapter.
How to Use Read Ahead in MTG?
While Dominaria United’s spoiler season is not yet complete, it is known that eight Sagas with Read Ahead are included in the set. This information is thanks to an unfortunate leak of a rules document by Wizards of the Coast. This leak shows that Read Ahead Sagas are available in all five colors.
With Sagas being a familiar sight in Standard since first being introduced in 2018, the applications for Read Ahead are fairly straightforward. Typically, the most powerful ability or chapter on a Saga is its last one. This was true for
Elspeth Conquers Death
Elspeth Conquers Death
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I — Exile target permanent an opponent controls with mana value 3 or greater.
II — Noncreature spells your opponents cast cost {2} more to cast until your next turn.
III — Return target creature or planeswalker card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Put a +1/+1 counter or a loyalty counter on it.
and it remains true on
The World Spell
The World Spell
Read ahead (Choose a chapter and start with that many lore counters. Add one after your draw step. Skipped chapters don't trigger. Sacrifice after III.)
I, II — Look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal a non-Saga permanent card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
III — Put up to two non-Saga permanent cards from your hand onto the battlefield.
. As a result, Read Ahead’s ability to skip straight to a Saga’s third ability is undeniably powerful.
While Read Ahead’s ability to skip right to a Saga’s final chapter is helpful, it’s not always the best choice. On
The Phasing of Zhalfir
The Phasing of Zhalfir
Read ahead (Choose a chapter and start with that many lore counters. Add one after your draw step. Skipped chapters don't trigger. Sacrifice after III.)
I, II — Another target nonland permanent phases out. It can't phase in for as long as you control this Saga.
III — Destroy all creatures. For each creature destroyed this way, its controller creates a 2/2 black Phyrexian creature token.
, for instance, blue players may want to utilize the Saga’s first two chapters to phase out and protect their creatures. This prevents the chosen creatures from getting destroyed by the Saga’s third chapter, which destroys all creatures. The Phasing of Zhalfir also marks the first time a solely blue destroy all creatures effect has been printed.
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Ultimately, the correct answer of where to Read Ahead to, if at all, will change from game to game. This is the greatest strength of the ability, as it provides more options to the Saga’s controller. Due to this strength, we expect to see Dominaria United’s Sagas frequently in the new post-rotation Standard environment.