Copper Tablet MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 238
1993-10-04 - Number 239
1993-12-01 - Number 239
1993-12-10 - Number 239
1993-12-10 - Number 239
2007-09-10 - Number 154
2022-11-28 - Number 234
2022-11-28 - Number 531
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
Copper Tablet does 1 damage to each player during his or her upkeep.
Cards like Copper Tablet
Copper Tablet resonates with the old-school charm of early Magic: The Gathering releases. This unassuming artifact from Magic’s origins parallels with cards such as Ankh of Mishra, dealing damage to players. While Ankh of Mishra penalizes players for land plays, Copper Tablet chips away at life totals during each player’s upkeep, a steady reminder of the relentless march of time within the game.
The dynamics change when compared to Ebony Owl Netsuke, a card that deals damage but is conditional on the opponent’s hand size. It delivers its pain under a specific circumstance, unlike the guaranteed attrition caused by Copper Tablet. Painful Quandary offers another intriguing comparison – it provides a deterrent by imposing a painful choice on your opponent, between discarding a card or losing life, whereas Copper Tablet quietly and consistently erodes their life with no action required from your side.
Choosing between these options depends on the game strategy. Copper Tablet shines in its simplicity and inevitability, fitting neatly into decks that exert passive pressure while focusing resources elsewhere. Its subtle yet constant damage output can be a reliable path to victory in the right setup.
Cards similar to Copper Tablet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Copper Tablet doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage in the traditional sense, it embodies a persistent threat. Each turn it whittles down an opponent’s life total, potentially pressuring them to act or change their strategy. This indirect advantage can manifest by forcing opponents to use resources to address the artifact, thus maintaining the equilibrium of resources in play.
Resource Acceleration: The Copper Tablet isn’t a source of resource acceleration like ramp spells or mana artifacts. However, it’s a low-cost artifact, easily slotted into a deck. At a cost of just two colorless mana, it can be an early game play that starts impacting the board state without delaying your other plans.
Instant Speed: While the artifact itself does not operate at instant speed, its damage effect applies during each player’s upkeep, making it a consistent source of life loss that doesn’t consume your mana or actions during your own turn. This passive ability allows a player to remain open to act with instant speed spells or abilities while still passively advancing their strategy with the Tablet.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Copper Tablet doesn’t require a discard upon activation, but its constant damage can indirectly pressure players to discard cards in search for answers or life gain strategies, potentially depleting valuable hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The Tablet’s activation is colorless, yet its symmetrical effect of dealing damage to each player during upkeep can be a hindrance in decks that lack life gain or are unable to briskly close out games, making its mana cost a notable concern.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Tablet’s initial cost seems low, over the duration of a lengthy game, it can potentially deal more damage to you than your opponents, especially if they can gain life or have superior board control. This ongoing cost needs to be weighed against other artifacts or spells which might offer more immediate or impactful advantages.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Copper Tablet is a classic example of an early artifact that can be included in a variety of decks. Its ability to deal passive damage to opponents makes it a subtle yet consistent threat on the board.
Combo Potential: This unassuming piece has potential in artifact-focused combo decks. It can be part of a damage-dealing engine or a layer in intricate health-draining strategies, especially when combined with cards amplifying its effects.
Meta-Relevance: With games that tend to stretch out, Copper Tablet shines by whittling down opponents’ life totals, applying pressure in slower control matchups, and serving as a reliable source of damage throughout the game.
How to beat
Copper Tablet is a unique artifact that can create an interesting dynamic in an MTG game. This card’s persistent effect deals damage to each player during their respective upkeep, which means both you and your opponent feel its bite. To tackle the challenge Copper Tablet presents, the key is to be proactive in managing your life total and devising a strategy to utilize the damage to your advantage while minimizing its impact on you.
Therefore, consider including life gain strategies in your deck to offset the damage done by the tablet. Cards that increase your life total or provide lifelink abilities to your creatures can help you stay ahead. Additionally, since Copper Tablet affects all players, playing with a deck that can outpace the damage – perhaps by deploying aggressive creatures or burn spells – can ensure your opponent feels the pressure more than you do.
Lastly, never underestimate the value of artifact removal in your deck. Having the capacity to remove key artifacts like the Copper Tablet can swiftly swing the game back in your favor. With smart planning and reactive play, you can navigate around the Copper Tablet and secure your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Copper Tablet MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Copper Tablet and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Copper Tablet Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 238 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 239 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 239 | 1993 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 239 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 239 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 6 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 154 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 7 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 234 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 8 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 531 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Copper Tablet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |