Liar's Pendulum MTG Card


It can create indirect card advantage and affect board state through strategic guessing and draw manipulation. Activation at instant speed allows for flexible play, enabling bluffs and tactical maneuvers on the fly. Though potent, it requires careful hand management and specific mana to function optimally.
Liar's Pendulum - Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin
Set codeMRD
Number196
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Text of card

, : Name a card. Target opponent guesses whether a card with that name is in your hand. You may reveal your hand. If you do and your opponent guessed wrong, draw a card.


Cards like Liar's Pendulum

Liar’s Pendulum presents itself as a unique artifact in the realm of Magic the Gathering, with a psychological twist that challenges player foresight. Its closest relatives in gameplay mechanics might not match its unique guessing game feature but they do share the artifact nature. Take for instance the card Cursed Scroll, which also puts a player’s ability to predict to the test, however, focused more on dealing damage rather than information gathering.

Another card reminiscent of Liar’s Pendulum in terms of the guessing game is Telepathy, which instead of a binary guess unveils opponents’ hands entirely, removing the guesswork but at the cost of not fitting into all strategies as seamlessly as the more versatile Liar’s Pendulum. Then there’s Crystal Ball, allowing scry to manipulate upcoming draws which aligns somewhat with the information control aspect of Liar’s Pendulum, albeit without the interactive bluffing element.

Each of these artifacts offers a different edge to a player’s game, yet Liar’s Pendulum stands out for those who enjoy a more interactive, psychological approach to controlling game flow and gaining information advantage in Magic the Gathering.

Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Telepathy - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Telepathy - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Liar's Pendulum by color, type and mana cost

Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Signal Pest - MTG Card versions
Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Signal Pest - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A unique aspect of Liar’s Pendulum is its potential to create indirect card advantage by allowing repetitive guessing games, which, if correctly played, can lead to drawing extra cards or causing opponents to miss on their predictions.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, Liar’s Pendulum can accelerate resources by smoothing out draws. It can effectively filter through the deck to find key pieces or lands, thereby ensuring a steadier development of your board state.

Instant Speed: The true power in Liar’s Pendulum lies in its activation at instant speed. This flexible timing means players can utilize mana efficiently, holding it back during opponents’ turns for bluffs or tactical plays, then utilizing the Pendulum when the moment is ripe, all without sacrificing the flow of their own turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As a player delves into the intricacies of using Liar’s Pendulum, they’ll find themselves bound by a prerequisite need to discard a card if the guess is incorrect. This necessity could deplete an already scant hand and hinder the execution of subsequent strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Liar’s Pendulum demands a precise mana arrangement to activate, necessitating one colorless and one blue mana. This specific requirement means the card might not be easily integrated into decks that aren’t tailored to support blue mana, thereby reducing its versatility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Demanding a total investment of two mana for the ability to potentially draw a card can be a substantial cost, especially when compared to other cards in MTG that offer more reliable draw options or alternative benefits for the same or lesser mana commitment.


Reasons to Include Liar’s Pendulum in Your Collection

Versatility: Liar’s Pendulum slots seamlessly into decks that thrive on misdirection or information control. It’s a quirky, low-cost artifact that fits well into various strategies, from casual play to more tuned mind-game decks.

Combo Potential: This card can pair with effects that manipulate top-deck cards or with strategies that make use of knowledge about opponents’ hands. It’s an engine in decks that capitalize on knowing or controlling card identities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where players frequently know their opponents’ decks well, Liar’s Pendulum can act as a vital tool. The ability to occasionally draw a free card or psych out your opponents can be unexpectedly impactful.


How to beat Liar’s Pendulum

Liar’s Pendulum presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, functioning as a mind game wrapped in a card. When using this artifact, a player can declare any card name and then puts their truthfulness to the test. Opponents face the daunting task of guessing whether the named card is actually present in their hand. A successful deception means the card’s controller draws a card, but don’t be daunted; there are strategies to outmaneuver it.

To effectively counter Liar’s Pendulum, consider employing hand disruption spells that force the Pendulum’s controller to reveal or discard their hand. This way, you gain valuable information and reduce the chance of successful deception. In addition, utilizing instant-speed draw effects can increase the cards in your hand, enhancing your ability to predict the opponent’s declaration accurately. Finally, keeping track of your opponent’s card usage and tendencies can give you an edge in predicting their bluff, rendering Liar’s Pendulum far less effective. Understanding your opponent’s strategy is key in tilting the odds in your favor against the unpredictable nature of Liar’s Pendulum.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Liar's Pendulum MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Liar's Pendulum and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Liar's Pendulum has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 After the opponent has guessed, you may reveal your hand. If your opponent was wrong, you draw a card. If your opponent was right, you don’t draw a card.
2004-12-01 First you name a card. Then the targeted opponent guesses whether the card is in your hand.
2004-12-01 You can’t draw a card if you don’t reveal your hand.
2004-12-01 You reveal your hand only if you choose to, regardless of whether your opponent guessed right or wrong.