Tandem Lookout MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Scout
Abilities Soulbond
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage through Tandem Lookout can be a game-changer, drawing you extra cards for momentum.
  2. Tandem Lookout’s soulbond pairs well with creatures that enable repeated damage for consistent draws.
  3. The card’s strategic value shines against various decks, keeping you ahead in information and resources.

Text of card

Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Tandem Lookout is paired with another creature, each of those creatures has "Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tandem Lookout, when paired with a creature, enables a player to draw an additional card whenever that creature deals damage, potentially doubling the card draw rounds.

Resource Acceleration: By ensuring a steady flow of new cards, Tandem Lookout can accelerate a player’s resources, providing more options and opportunities to respond to an opponent’s actions.

Instant Speed: While Tandem Lookout itself isn’t an instant, its soulbond ability can be leveraged in ways that coincide with instant-speed spells or abilities, allowing for flexible and responsive plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Tandem Lookout doesn’t specifically ask you to discard cards to play it, its soulbond ability becomes moot if you have no creatures to pair with or are facing an empty hand. This could potentially lead to suboptimal plays or wasted opportunities to capitalize on its ability to draw cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Tandem Lookout requires both blue mana and generic mana to cast, which may restrict its integration in some decks. Decks that don’t run blue or have a tight mana base might not be able to leverage the full potential of this card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Tandem Lookout might come off as expensive for a creature with just a 2/1 stat line. In aggressive or tempo-based decks, other creatures or spells that offer immediate impact or larger bodies could be more desirable choices, making the Lookout a less optimal card in such scenarios.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tandem Lookout is a multifaceted card, well-suited for decks that rely on drawing cards to maintain momentum. Its ability to pair with any creature provides consistency in both offensive and defensive plays.

Combo Potential: This card shines when utilized in combinations, primarily with creatures having evasion or those that untap frequently, allowing for repeated card draw and thus fueling your strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current atmosphere where information is power, Tandem Lookout can provide persistent card advantage. This ensures that decks with Tandem Lookout can stay ahead in resources against a variety of opposing decks.


How to beat

Tandem Lookout is a card that can create significant card advantage in Magic: The Gathering by pairing its soulbond ability with creatures that can deal damage multiple times a turn. When tackling an opponent using Tandem Lookout, minimizing combat damage becomes critical. Having instant-speed removal to disrupt the soulbond pairing before damage is dealt can prevent the card advantage Tandem Lookout provides. It’s also vital to manage the board and keep creatures with evasion abilities in check, as they are prime targets for the soulbond mechanic.

Board wipes can be particularly effective against a deck that leans heavily on creature synergies like those utilized by Tandem Lookout. By resetting the battlefield, you not only deal with the Lookout but also the creatures it relies on for its ability. Prioritizing which targets to remove and timing your spells to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is key to overcoming a Tandem Lookout-centric game plan.

In essence, while Tandem Lookout can be a powerful tool for drawing cards, it’s not insurmountable. Effective removal, strategic board control, and understanding the pivotal moments to break the soulbond can help you triumph over this unique card’s mechanics in your MTG games.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of Tandem Lookout in MTG can be a game-changer, providing you with the sustained card advantage that is often the hinge point of victory. Whether you are pondering the synergies with evasive creatures, aiming to maximize your card draw, or you’re carefully plotting to maintain momentum in the face of any deck, Tandem Lookout can be an asset worth considering. Dive deeper into strategies that harness the power of Soulbond, and ensure your deck is optimized to not only compete but to dominate. Join the fold of strategic thinkers and collection enthusiasts – enhance your gameplay and collection today.


Cards like Tandem Lookout

Tandem Lookout is an intriguing card within the Magic: The Gathering universe for players who value card advantage. It shares similarities with other creatures like Elusive Spellfist, which also rewards players for noncreature spell casts. Tandem Lookout, however, secures its unique spot with its Soulbond ability, allowing pairing with another creature to draw a card each time either creature deals damage to an opponent.

Another comparable card is Ophidian Eye, which bestows a creature with the ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. While Ophidian Eye requires an initial target and sufficient mana to cast, Tandem Lookout, once bonded, immediately starts generating card advantage with its paired creature. Moreover, Quickling is a card that offers similar advantages with its card draw ability upon entering the battlefield, yet without the ongoing potential that Tandem Lookout provides through combat interaction.

Through the lens of continual card draw mechanics and the strategic depth they add to gameplay, Tandem Lookout’s ability to form alliances on the battlefield stands out. Its capacity to repeatedly generate card advantage gives it a valued place in the pantheon of creature-based card draw options in Magic: The Gathering.

Elusive Spellfist - MTG Card versions
Ophidian Eye - MTG Card versions
Quickling - MTG Card versions
Elusive Spellfist - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Ophidian Eye - Time Spiral (TSP)
Quickling - Magic 2015 (M15)

Cards similar to Tandem Lookout by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mistform Warchief - Scourge (SCG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tandem Lookout MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Tandem Lookout and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tandem Lookout Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 802003normalblackKev Walker
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 292015normalblackKev Walker
32017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 532015normalblackKev Walker
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5142015normalblackKev Walker
52020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-532015normalblackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tandem Lookout has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-03-14 If Tandem Lookout or the creature it’s paired with is dealt lethal damage at the same time that either deals damage to an opponent, its ability triggers. You’ll draw a card even though that creature no longer has the ability.

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