Timestream Navigator + Riptide Laboratory + Archmage of Echoes
Produces: Infinite turns, Lock
- Color identity
- U
- Mana
- {1}{U} available the first turn, with {4}{U}{U}{U}{U} each following turn
Prerequisites
You have the city's blessing, and/or control (at least) eight permanents
Steps
- Cast Timestream Navigator by paying {1}{U}.
- Archmage of Echoes triggers, copying the Timestream Navigator spell.
- Resolve both Timestream Navigator spells.
- If you don't have the city's blessing, either the Timestream Navigator token or the nontoken Timestream Navigator gives you the city's blessing.
- During your next turn, activate Riptide Laboratory's second ability by paying {1}{U} and tapping it, returning the nontoken Timestream Navigator to your hand from the battlefield.
- Activate the ability of the Timestream Navigator token by paying {2}{U}{U}, tapping it and putting on the bottom of your library, causing you to take an extra turn after that one.
- Repeat.
How to execute this combo
The "Timestream Navigator + Riptide Laboratory + Archmage of Echoes" combo takes 7 steps in order. Make sure you have the mana open and permanents listed in the prerequisites before you start — opponents can respond between steps.
The end result: Infinite turns, Lock.
Practice the line offline: lay out the cards, walk through each step, and note where you can lose the combo (summoning sickness, lack of priority, removal on a key permanent). In game, announce each step clearly; in casual play you can offer to shortcut after demonstrating the loop.
The best window is a turn when opponents are tapped out or after they commit a spell — hold protection (a counter, Vexing Shusher) if the combo wins on the spot.