MTG PRINTING GUIDE
Sensei’s Divining Top started as an uncommon in Champions of Kamigawa, and its original release already offered foil. Later mythic and rare editions tell a reprint story, not a change to its original rarity. Compare Michael Sutfin’s original image, Rob Alexander’s Eternal Masters artwork and Greg Staples’ borderless reinterpretation before choosing a surface.
QUICK ANSWER
Sensei's Divining Top first appeared in Champions of Kamigawa (CHK), 1 October 2004. The original is CHK #268, at uncommon, illustrated by Michael Sutfin. Available original finishes: Nonfoil, traditional foil.
Printing records and official context reviewed . Use the shortlist for a physical-edition comparison and the explorer for current availability and format data.
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REPRESENTATIVE PRINTING
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RULES & FORMAT CONTEXT
The {1} ability rearranges your library’s top three cards; the tap ability draws and then puts Top on top of its owner’s library. If Top is no longer on the battlefield when the tap ability resolves, the draw still happens and it stays in its new zone.
Format check, 7 November 2026: Wizards lists Top as banned in Modern and Legacy. Current catalogue data lists it as legal in Commander and Vintage. The same printing can therefore be a valid Commander choice and an illegal Modern entry. Compare the specific format, not a generic “tournament legal” label.
PRINTING HISTORY
Champions of Kamigawa #268 dates to 1 October 2004. Michael Sutfin’s illustration appeared at uncommon with nonfoil and traditional foil versions. The original foil is therefore a genuine option, unlike cards from sets that predate booster foils.
From the Vault: Exiled #10 followed in August 2009, still crediting Sutfin but at mythic rare and foil-only. Its product finish and release identity distinguish it from a Champions booster foil. The same artist does not mean the physical edition is the same.
Eternal Masters #232 arrived in June 2016 at rare with Rob Alexander’s artwork and both finishes. This is a meaningful illustration change, not just a rarity symbol or a modern border around the original.
Double Masters 2022 provides a particularly clear group. Regular #314 credits Sutfin; borderless #398 credits Greg Staples; etched #566 returns to Sutfin. The first two have nonfoil and traditional foil, while #566 is etched-only. Separate those three numbers when comparing listings.
PRINTING SHORTLIST
Selected physical editions; not every language, digital entry or minor reprint.
| Release / set | Collector number | Rarity | Artwork / treatment | Artist | Available finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions of Kamigawa (2004) | CHK #268 | uncommon | Original illustration | Michael Sutfin | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| From the Vault: Exiled (2009) | V09 #10 | mythic | Original-art premium boxed edition | Michael Sutfin | Traditional foil only |
| Eternal Masters (2016) | EMA #232 | rare | Alternate illustration | Rob Alexander | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Double Masters 2022 (2022) | 2X2 #314 | rare | Regular frame; original illustration | Michael Sutfin | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Double Masters 2022 (2022) | 2X2 #398 | rare | Borderless alternate illustration | Greg Staples | Nonfoil, traditional foil |
| Double Masters 2022 (2022) | 2X2 #566 | rare | Etched frame; original illustration | Michael Sutfin | Etched foil only |
Finish labels belong to the individual source record. An etched or textured treatment is not an extra finish invented for every edition. A missing price is unknown, not zero.
ARTWORK & FRAME COMPARISON
For Sutfin’s original image, compare CHK #268, V09 #10 and 2X2 #314/#566. Those editions make frame and finish differences visible without claiming that all are original Champions copies.
Alexander’s EMA #232 and Staples’ 2X2 #398 are different illustrations. The borderless option changes the artwork too, so a preference for that image should be decided before selecting its nonfoil or traditional foil finish.
Our useful first comparison is CHK #268 nonfoil against EMA #232 nonfoil. Add #398 once you know whether your collection favours the original era, the later image or a borderless presentation.
FOILS & SPECIAL TREATMENTS
Original CHK traditional foil, V09 premium foil and 2X2 etched are three separate collecting choices. Etched #566 is not an etched version of Staples’ #398 artwork.
Double Masters 2022 contains textured treatments for some other cards, but the checked Top entries here do not establish a textured Top. Do not transfer a set-wide finish label onto a card without a matching record.
MANASCOUT RECOMMENDATIONS
Original edition: CHK #268, with a real choice of nonfoil or original-set foil. Later rarity upgrades do not make the debut a rare.
Another artist: compare EMA #232 and 2X2 #398. Hold the finish constant to avoid mistaking reflectivity for an artwork difference.
Etched presentation: choose exact #566 if you want Sutfin’s art with the etched surface. It is a separate entry from both the regular and borderless versions.
Deck use: check legality before choosing the art. Our guide recommendation concerns appearance and edition history, not permission to use the card in a banned format.
ALL PRINTINGS / LIVE EXPLORER
Use the shared set, language and finish filters to inspect an exact printing. Cardmarket links are independent third-party destinations. Catalogue prices are live reference fields where available, not fixed GBP offers. The digital foil animation is illustrative, not a photograph of a physical finish.
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SOURCES & EDITORIAL REVIEW
Reviewed . The linked exact-edition catalogue records support dates, artists, rarity and finish availability; official sources support product treatment and format context where cited. The live explorer retrieves current Scryfall data separately. This is a dated editorial selection, not a guarantee of stock, price or unchanged future legality.