Manifold Key MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Supports card advantage by enabling repeated untapping of draw-providing permanents in game.
  2. One generic mana for casting offers widespread deck compatibility and strategic flexibility.
  3. Untapping at instant speed adds a layer of surprise, enhancing both defense and combo potential.

Text of card

, : Untap another target artifact. , : Target creature can't be blocked this turn.

"Locks want to be opened, and treasure wants to be free." —Nayrex Slipfinger, master thief


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Manifold Key doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it enables repeated untapping of certain permanents that provide card draw or filtering, thus indirectly contributing to card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: Manifold Key can be instrumental in resource acceleration by untapping mana-producing artifacts. This function can fast-track your game plan, allowing you to deploy more threats or answers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The ability to untap another artifact or creature at instant speed with the Manifold Key provides flexibility, keeping your opponents guessing. Use it to surprise opponents by freeing up a blocker or enabling an unexpected combo during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some utility artifacts, Manifold Key does not have a discard requirement. This is advantageous as it means you won’t be forced to let go of potentially crucial cards to utilize its abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Manifold Key has the advantage of requiring only a single generic mana for casting, making it a versatile addition to any MTG deck without the restriction of color-specific mana costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Manifold Key itself is low cost, its untap ability requires two mana, which can be comparatively high depending on the situation. In games where mana efficiency is key, this aspect can be a drawback, especially if you’re aiming to activate the ability multiple times in a single turn.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Manifold Key boasts the flexibility to unlock numerous plays across various decks. It not only untaps another target artifact but also grants any creature the ability to be unblockable for a turn, aiding a diverse strategy set from aggro to control decks.

Combo Potential: As an activator, this artifact shines in its ability to form combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on untapping mechanics. It can synergize with cards that have tap abilities or benefit from multiple activations in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and utility in outmaneuvering blockers, Manifold Key remains relevant in formats where tempo plays a significant role. Its inclusion can be the difference between an obstructed board and a clear path to victory.


How to beat

Manifold Key is an intriguing artifact that offers versatility and combo potential in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to untap another target artifact, it can be a game changer in enabling repeated activations of powerful artifacts. As with any formidable card, finding a strategy to counter it is crucial for success.

Artifact removal is perhaps the most straightforward method to address a Manifold Key on the board. Cards that can efficiently deal with artifacts, such as Abrade or Nature’s Claim, can swiftly eliminate the Key before it becomes a cog in a larger combo machinery. Moreover, keeping instant-speed removal in hand can disrupt your opponent’s plans mid-combo, which is particularly effective against Manifold Key’s untap ability.

Stifle effects, which counter abilities, offer another line of play against Manifold Key. By negating the untap ability directly, you can prevent the potential for consecutive plays that could otherwise lead to a swift defeat. In essence, maintaining board control with removals and counters is your best insurance against the surprises Manifold Key could unlock during gameplay.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the manifold intricacies of Magic the Gathering can be as rewarding as it is challenging. With the Manifold Key, you hold the potential to turn the tides of battle in your favor. Its subtle power can unlock formidable combos and clear paths for victorious assaults. Whether it’s about enhancing your current deck’s velocity or outmaneuvering opponents with sleek strategies, this card can be a vital cog in your MTG machine. Delve deeper into the strategic depths of the game, uncover the optimal uses of Manifold Key, and tap into a wellspring of knowledge with us. Ignite your MTG journey and discover how a simple key can unleash complex wins.


Cards like Manifold Key

Manifold Key offers Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts unique utility in artifact-centric decks. This key bears resemblance to the renowned Voltaic Key, a staple in many vintage formats. Both keys stand out for their ability to untap another artifact, yet Manifold Key takes a distinct path with its potential to make a creature unblockable for the turn. This feature offers intriguing strategic options not found with Voltaic Key.

When delving into other comparable cards, Vizier of Tumbling Sands arises as an intriguing parallel. It shares the untapping capability but applies it more broadly to any permanent. Unlike Manifold Key, Vizier can also be cycled to attain a similar effect, adding a layer of versatility. The cost, however, is higher compared to the sleek one-mana investment of Manifold Key. Another related card is Minamo, School at Water’s Edge, which also untaps a permanent yet restricts this to legendary ones. While presenting an exclusive trait, the land-based nature of Minamo lacks the portable efficiency of Manifold Key.

Overall, while there are contenders with similar functionalities, Manifold Key’s low cost and dual abilities place it in a favorable spot for players seeking to unlock complex plays in their MTG arsenal.

Voltaic Key - MTG Card versions
Vizier of Tumbling Sands - MTG Card versions
Minamo, School at Water's Edge - MTG Card versions
Voltaic Key - MTG Card versions
Vizier of Tumbling Sands - MTG Card versions
Minamo, School at Water's Edge - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Manifold Key MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Manifold Key and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Manifold Key Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2302015NormalBlackLake Hurwitz
22021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3981997NormalBlackLake Hurwitz
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3192015NormalBlackGabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Manifold Key has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Manifold Key card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-03-19 Activating Manifold Key's last ability after a creature has become blocked won't cause that creature to become unblocked.

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