Destructive Tampering MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 78
2019-11-07 - Number 904
2019-11-15 - Number 38
2020-07-03 - Number 141
2020-11-12 - Number 121
2022-12-02 - Number 521
2020-09-26 - Number AER-78
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Choose one — • Destroy target artifact. • Creatures without flying can't block this turn.
"I don't think they'll appreciate my . . . adjustments." —Karavin, renegade saboteur
Cards like Destructive Tampering
Destructive Tampering is a versatile choice in the realm of disruption tactics in Magic: The Gathering. It parallels cards like Demolish, providing the ability to destroy artifacts—yet Destructive Tampering brings additional flexibility with its option to prevent creatures from blocking that turn. While Demolish is strictly land and artifact removal, the two-fold utility of Destructive Tampering can open a clear path for an offensive strategy.
Shattering Spree is another related card, renowned for its potency against artifacts. However, it does not match the alternative mode of creature interference that Destructive Tampering offers, limiting its strategic applications to just the artifact wipe scenario. By contrast, Destructive Tampering enables players to pivot based on the battlefield context, making it a tactical wildcard in games. Moreover, Creeping Mold is a similar spell that allows players to destroy an artifact, enchantment, or land, but again it lacks the aggression-aiding mode of Destructive Tampering.
Evaluating this card’s dual functionality, Destructive Tampering exhibits a dual nature that can act both defensively by hampering your opponent’s board and offensively by clearing the way for an unimpeded attack, thereby placing it in a unique position among similar MTG cards.
Cards similar to Destructive Tampering by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Destructive Tampering may not directly allow you to draw cards, it forces the opponent to potentially lose card value. Destroying an artifact or forcing your opponent’s creatures to not block this turn can significantly disrupt their board presence and strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Destructive Tampering doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration. However, by eliminating a key artifact, it can slow down your opponent’s resource acceleration and tempo, tipping the resource balance in your favor.
Instant Speed: Destructive Tampering operates at sorcery speed, ensuring your plays are thoughtfully made during your main phases. While it doesn’t have the flexibility of an instant, its effects can be part of a strategic play that sets you up for a significant advantage on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Destructive Tampering doesn’t ask you to discard directly, its flexibility comes at the cost of choosing only one of its modes, potentially discarding the option, and benefit of the other during play.
Specific Mana Cost: Destructive Tampering demands a certain combination of mana to cast—three mana including one red. This requirement restricts the card to red-inclusive decks, potentially excluding it from a variety of mono and multicolor strategies that do not use red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three mana, players might feel the pinch, especially when there are cards with similar or better effects at a lesser cost. Within the scope of red spells, this mana could often be better allocated, leaving Destructive Tampering overlooked for more mana-efficient alternatives.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Destructive Tampering offers flexibility in gameplay, allowing players to either disrupt artifact strategies or clear a path for attacking creatures, advantageous in various deck builds where flexibility is essential.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that benefit from destroying artifacts or require unblocked attackers, amplifying the impact of damage-dealing combos or synergizing with strategies that capitalize on open enemy defenses.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with key artifacts or where ensuring an open attack route can tip the scales in your favor, Destructive Tampering proves to be a useful tool to have on hand, especially when facing decks that rely heavily on artifacts or defending creatures.
How to beat Destructive Tampering
Destructive Tampering poses a unique challenge for players on the other side of the battlefield. This red sorcery card offers dual utility, either disrupting artifact strategies or clearing the path for a pivotal attack by rendering opponent’s creatures unable to block. It’s flexibility makes it a tricky card to play against but not unbeatable.
The key lies in identifying the most threatening aspect of Destructive Tampering for your game plan. If you rely heavily on artifacts, consider having artifact protection or counterspells ready. Cards like Negate can effectively cancel Destructive Tampering’s cast. For decks centered around creatures, having an array of creatures with varying abilities can dilute the impact of the “creatures can’t block” option. Furthermore, instant speed removals or creature buffs can also pivot the situation, especially if your opponent commits to an all-in attack expecting no blockers.
Adapting your gameplay to include these strategies against Destructive Tampering can significantly diminish its effectiveness, retaining your board advantage and keeping you in control. Each match-up may require a tailored approach, but with the right preparation, overcoming Destructive Tampering is more than feasible.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Destructive Tampering MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Mystery Booster, 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 Destructive Tampering 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
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Printings
The Destructive Tampering Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Titus Lunter.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 904 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 3 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 4 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | AER-78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | ||
| 6 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter | |
| 7 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 521 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Titus Lunter |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Destructive Tampering has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Destructive Tampering card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | Because the effect of Destructive Tampering's second mode doesn't change the characteristics of any permanents, the set of creatures affected by it is constantly updated. Creatures without flying that enter the battlefield later in the turn won't be able to block. |