Tainted Pact MTG Card


Tainted Pact enables players to access any card in singleton decks, heightening deck utility. The card’s mana diversity and instant speed allow for unpredictable and flexible strategies. Deckbuilding constraints and mana specificity present challenges, yet it’s a powerful combo enabler.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Remove the top card of your library from the game. You may put that card into your hand unless it has the same name as another card removed this way. Repeat this process until you put a card into your hand or you remove two cards with the same name, whichever comes first.


Cards like Tainted Pact

Tainted Pact has carved its niche in the world of MTG as a unique deck manipulation card. It shares its conceptual space with cards like Demonic Consultation, inviting players to exile cards from the top until they encounter the one they need. However, Tainted Pact requires the deck to have no duplicate cards, which is quite the deck-building constraint, in stark contrast to the more lenient Demonic Consultation.

Another analogue to consider is Plunge into Darkness. Both are instant spells allowing for a significant sift through your deck. The difference lies in their payment: life for Plunge into Darkness versus the potential total exile of your library for Tainted Pact. Then there’s Infernal Contract, which grants a hefty card draw at the steep cost of half your life, bypassing the laborious search that Tainted Pact may entail, but without its precision.

In the arena of combo enablers and card searching spells, Tainted Pact certainly stands out. Its stringent deck condition fuels its power, making it a formidable choice for those who master its application. Despite its risk, the card’s precise utility can set up game-winning conditions unmatched by its peers.

Demonic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Plunge into Darkness - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Demonic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Plunge into Darkness - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tainted Pact by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
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Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
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Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
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Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
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Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Wicked Reward - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Tainted Pact. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyAd Nauseam TendrilsCharlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 3
Sultai ComboSultai Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Four-color MidrangeFour-color Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Esper ControlEsper Control GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Grixis MidrangeGrixis Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Esper FlashEsper Flash GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
Grixis TempoGrixis Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 13 2024
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 13 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tainted Pact is exceptional at sifting through your deck to find exactly what you need, effectively giving you access to your entire deck as a toolbox. As long as your library has a singleton composition, each use digs deep to get you to the right card at the right moment.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly generating mana or tokens, Tainted Pact can be key to unlocking your combo pieces or finding the ramp spells you need to accelerate your game plan. This can lead to a significant advantage over opponents by enabling faster and more powerful plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Tainted Pact during either player’s turn adds a layer of flexibility and unpredictability to your game. This means you can adapt to the board state in realtime, finding answers or threats in response to your opponent’s actions, which is a powerful asset in any strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tainted Pact demands an intensive deckbuilding constraint, meaning every card in your library must be unique. This requirement reduces your ability to run multiple copies of key cards, potentially increasing the inconsistency of your gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Tainted Pact’s casting cost necessitates both black and blue mana, making it exclusive to decks that can produce both colors reliably. Players running a monocolored deck or those without a refined mana base may find it challenging to integrate Tainted Pact effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana might not seem excessive, considering the types of combos and interactions Tainted Pact is typically involved in, the cost is significant. It competes for space with other pivotal two-mana spells, and fitting it into your curve can require careful balancing of your overall strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tainted Pact is a unique card that can adapt to various situations, making it an essential tool for players who appreciate strategic flexibility. It has the ability to search for the perfect response or threat to any board state, making it a powerful addition to control and combo decks alike.

Combo Potential: Known for its ability to perform exceptionally in combo decks, Tainted Pact can be the linchpin in crafting an instant win condition, especially when paired with cards like “Thassa’s Oracle.” Its potential to dig through your deck for key pieces makes it a notorious and respected combo enabler.

Meta-Relevance: In a competitive environment where being able to respond to an opponent’s threats is crucial, Tainted Pact offers the versatility needed to address an evolving MTG meta. As the game continues to grow and change, having a card that can adapt to new challenges is invaluable for staying ahead of the competition.


How to beat

Tainted Pact is a powerful tool for MTG combo decks, often enabling a win on the spot if not dealt with promptly. It allows a player to exile cards from the top of their library until they choose to put a card into their hand. This card can be detrimental if not interrupted or if the opponent’s deck is not built around it adversely.

To counteract Tainted Pact’s effect, disrupting the combo chain is key. Employing instant-speed interaction like counterspells or hand disruption methods can effectively neutralize the threat. Cards like Thoughtseize or Counterspell can prevent Tainted Pact from resolving or can be used to remove essential pieces from your opponent’s hand. Additionally, stifle effects or graveyard hate cards that exile cards from the graveyard can also disrupt the intended combo flow.

Leveraging these strategies requires keen awareness of the pace of the game and perfect timing. Understanding when to hold back for countermagic or when to strategically empty an opponent’s hand is fundamental. In doing so, players can successfully navigate around the pitfalls that Tainted Pact presents and maintain control over the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the layers of Tainted Pact’s tactical depth reveals the endless possibilities for skillful MTG play. This card’s blend of strategy and utility transforms decks into formidable assemblies of surprise and precision. Balancing its unique constraints with its profound ability to shape games, it serves as a cornerstone for players crafting victory through ingenuity and foresight. Every match is a puzzle, and Tainted Pact can be the key piece in solving it. Embrace the challenge and finesse required to wield Tainted Pact effectively. Visit BurnMana for further insights into integrating this potent card into your arsenal and navigating its tactical landscape for triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tainted Pact MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Strixhaven Mystical Archive, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Tainted Pact and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tainted Pact Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 1641997NormalBlackAdam Rex
22021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 962015NormalBorderlessYusuke Katekari
32021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 332015NormalBorderlessBenjamin Ee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tainted Pact has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlBanned
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal