The 23 Best Draw Second Card Payoffs in Magic Ranked

Last updated on April 17, 2024

Thopter Mechanic | Illustration by Joshua Raphael

Hello, planeswalkers! Do you like drawing cards? Do you like getting benefits and advantages from triggering effects? Of course, you do! So let’s look at the triggering effects you can get from drawing your second card each turn.

There may be only a few other advantages that compare to having the draw advantage over your opponent. If you can’t keep up with the number of spells a player has, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage. We all want to draw more, and with the cards below you can gain even more advantages while drawing. So let’s rank these cards for your benefit. 

What Are Draw Second Card Payoffs in MTG?

Mystic Skyfish | Illustration by Alayna Danner

When I say “Draw Second Card Payoffs” I mean cards that have some sort of trigger ability from drawing your second card on any turn. The trigger will be straightforward and all the cards below will read something like, “Whenever you draw your second card each turn, (something happens)”.

#23. Mystic Skyfish

Mystic Skyfish is a card best left to Limited play only. In Limited flying has much more value. If you can swing with a 3/1 flying creature once or twice, it may be enough to help you win.

#22. Steelgaze Griffin

A 2/4 creature for five mana is not usually an advantageous play. Steelgaze Griffin is a card best left in the collection and not in your decks. At least it has flying and decent defense for Limited play.

#21. Bloodhaze Wolverine

Many of the cards on this list will help you grow armies or even the creature that triggers the effect. Unfortunately, Bloodhaze Wolverine does neither of these. Drawing your second card on any turn only pumps this card for a single turn. First strike can help in combat, but it is not enough of a value to make this a good card.

#20. Mantle of Tides

Mantle of Tides is an interesting, but probably unexciting, equipment. It’s cheap, it provides good defense, and it has an alternate way of being equipped. The value, however, just doesn’t seem to compare with other equipment staples like Swiftfoot Boots or Hammer of Nazahn.

#19. Thopter Mechanic

Thopter Mechanic was a decent play in Limited, in my opinion. It’s a cheap creature that can grow and provides a new creature when it dies. This is a kind of card that will get passed on but may help your aristocrat or control build in Limited.

#18. Knights of Dol Amroth

I believe that Knights of Dol Amroth is slightly less valuable than Stalwarts of Osgiliath. It costs one less mana, which helps its playability, but it has one less power and doesn’t have the benefit of a Ring tempts you trigger. It’s not a bad mid-curve card in certain Limited decks.

#17. Lat-Nam Adept

Lat-Nam Adept reads the same as Knights of Dol Amroth. I’ll give it a slight boost only because it’s legal in more sets. I still don’t think you’ll be rostering it in many Constructed decks though.

#16. Stalwarts of Osgiliath

Stalwarts of Osgiliath is a relatively uninspiring creature for Constructed and Limited. In Constructed, it’s a curve-buster without much upside, and in Limited it has some value as a growing threat but can’t compete with cards like Arwen Undómiel or many of the amass cards.

#15. Mad Ratter

Goblins and rats go together like chocolate and popcorn. They’re not a traditional combination, but it can work. Mad Ratter can help boost your rat army by giving you two rat tokens. However, the value is capped by the mana value and the low stats of this card.

#14. Prince Imrahil the Fair

Gaining a draw advantage and going wide with your creatures is a winning combination. Prince Imrahil the Fair is a cheap Azorius-colored creature that can give you more small soldiers for drawing your second card. You’re wise to pair this card with anthems like Valiant Veteran, but beware of pesky board wipes like Depopulate.

#13. Jace, Arcane Strategist

Jace is always about drawing cards and controlling the game. Jace, Arcane Strategist helps to pump creatures and draw cards, with the intent of making them unblockable later. The value isn’t quite there with the 6-mana-value and only triggers when drawing your second card each turn instead of whenever you draw.

#12. Gurgling Anointer

Gurgling Anointer is a solid card to include in a “draw many cards” build. Its stats and slow build aren’t extremely appealing, but it can also return certain creatures to the battlefield when it dies. Overall, a decent card in certain builds.

#11. Gixian Puppeteer

Gixian Puppeteer is a decent card for draw decks, but it’s honestly a worse version of Sheoldred, the Apocalypse. If you can build some protection or remove most of your opponent’s threats, this card can help close out the game. I just don’t think it’s valuable enough to play in the middle part of the game.

#10. Zimone and Dina

Zimone and Dina is a cheap Commander to take advantage of drawing cards. I love the value of sacrificing a creature that has blocked, and if you have eight or more lands, triggering the damage on your opponent's turn. This card is an interesting Sultai commander that pairs well with cards like Phyrexian Arena or Bident of Thassa.

#9. Gavi, Nest Warden

Gavi, Nest Warden is a wonderful commander for those with a preference for cycling. This card and the cycle ability work for making sure you trigger the draw a second card effect on each turn, not just yours. Plus, who doesn’t love a cat dinosaur?

#8. Faerie Vandal

I love cards with flash. It’s kinda my thing. Faerie Vandal has always been a decent addition to a flash deck. Dimir and Izzet builds lend well to drawing more cards, and the flash gives you an element of protection and surprise. I’m quite partial to waiting for an opponent’s turn two decision and playing either Faerie Vandal or Make Disappear.

#7. Ethereal Investigator

Some cards are just better for the big games of friends. Ethereal Investigator creates spirit tokens when you draw your second card each turn, and it also gives you the means to do so. Its ETB creates a clue artifact for each opponent you have. This should help you get those second draws and get the cards you need.

#6. Improbable Alliance

Improbable Alliance was my introduction to the power of some of these “whenever you draw your second card” payoffs. It’s quite an easy trigger to satisfy with your main draw and cycle, cantrip, and looting effects. Improbable Alliance helps you go wide in Izzet-style draw decks.

#5. The Council of Four

The Council of Four is a nice mirror kind of card for Eternal and Oathbreaker formats. Whenever anyone draws two cards or plays two spells you trigger some sort of effect. This is a wonderful deterrence and response to whatever your opponent has up their sleeves. Find ways to protect this card and the 0/8 keeps you nice and protected.

#4. Irencrag Pyromancer

Irencrag Pyromancer is the deadly force behind a draw deck. If you can survive the early turns of a game, this card helps you to control the board. Drawing cards, countering spells, and dealing three damage to any target is a solid way to control the game.

#3. Alandra, Sky Dreamer

Alandra, Sky Dreamer can create tokens like some of the other “draw a second card” triggers, but this card has an even bigger draw payoff. Making a flying drake token each of your turns, and possibly on your opponent’s turn, is strong enough. But wait until you draw five cards in a turn! You’ve gone wide, and now it’s time to strike hard in Eternal and Oathbreaker formats.

#2. Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse

I like these “draw your second card” cards that produce tokens a lot. With a certain build, you can be creating tokens on your turns and your opponents’. With Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse you can grow your cat army and then give them a big stat boost depending on the number of cards in your hand.

#1. Minn, Wily Illusionist

It’s lovely to go wide with creature tokens, but why not have them build off each other? Minn, Wily Illusionist creates Illusion tokens that get more powerful from each illusion you control, and when they die you can possibly play cards from your hand for free. The value here is immense for illusion-style decks in Eternal and Oathbreaker formats.

Bonus Payoffs for Opponents Drawing a Second Card

There are a few cards that don’t benefit from you drawing a second card, but rather your opponent. I believe these cards are worth mentioning for your builds.

The Council of Four gives you benefits for you and your opponent drawing cards.

Faerie Mastermind is a wonderful answer to your opponent’s drawing effects in most Constructed formats, including the current Standard.

Also, Dogged Detective returns from the graveyard when your opponent draws their second card, and it's an okay addition to graveyard Commander decks.

Wrap Up

Alandra, Sky Dreamer | Illustration by Caroline Gariba

There you have it. We all like drawing cards, and now you can fit in some of these cards to gain even more advantages. Get your Phyrexian Arena, Sylvan Library, and Jace, Wielder of Mysteries cards ready! Or build around the cards above and make your own “draw a second card each turn” deck.

Which second card draw cards do you like best? Do you focus on it or use it as a secondary theme? Let me know in the comments below or over on the official Draftsim Discord!

Stay safe, have fun, and I hope you come back for seconds!