Patient Turtle MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 82
2021-08-20 - Number 82
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Turtle |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Patient Turtle is a draw engine, rewarding each damage taken with a fresh card to expand strategic options.
- As an early-game blocker, it slows down opponents, granting players extra turns and resources for advantage.
- While lacking instant-speed utility, Patient Turtle’s sturdy presence deters opponents’ combat and direct damage.
Text of card
CARDNAME enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it if you didn't go first this game.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Patient Turtle provides a reliable way to draw additional cards. Every time it takes damage, you get to draw a card, effectively turning each point of damage into an opportunity to enhance your hand and keep your options diverse, hence maintaining a competitive edge over your opponent in terms of resources.
Resource Acceleration: The card’s ability to block effectively can be seen as a way to indirectly accelerate your resources. By prolonging the game and protecting your life total, it gives you more turns to draw into more lands and spells, thereby naturally increasing your resource base over the course of the match.
Instant Speed: Although Patient Turtle itself isn’t an instant, it interacts favorably with spells of instant speed. It can survive damage from instant-speed interactions, allowing it to become a deterrent for opponents considering combat tricks or direct damage spells during combat. This gives you additional leverage to play on your terms, responding to threats as necessary while your Patient Turtle holds the fort.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Patient Turtle, having to discard a card can set you back, especially if your hand is already dwindling or if the card you need to discard would be more beneficial to keep.
Specific Mana Cost: Patient Turtle requires a particular blend of mana to play, which might not always align with your mana pool’s current state, potentially causing delays or an inability to cast it when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Patient Turtle’s mana cost being on the higher side for its stat line and abilities, you might find that there are other creatures or spells that could offer more immediate impact or value on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Patient Turtle Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Patient Turtle offers flexibility in deck building, serving as a reliable early blocker against aggro strategies and benefiting from enchantments or equipment that leverage its stout defense.
Combo Potential: With its solid defensive stats, Patient Turtle pairs well with cards that capitalize on creatures with high toughness, fostering synergies that can lead to surprising combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where the board state stalls frequently and games extend longer, Patient Turtle shines by adding persistent defensive stability to your battlefield presence.
How to beat
Patience is key when facing the enigmatic Patient Turtle in Magic: The Gathering. This seemingly innocuous creature often catches players off guard with its defensive capabilities and longevity. To successfully outmaneuver this card, it’s essential to understand its ability to withstand damage and endure through prolonged battles.
One effective strategy is to employ removal spells that bypass the Turtle’s durability. Cards like Path to Exile or Deadly Rollick can exile it directly from the battlefield, while enchantments such as Pacifism can neutralize its defenses without destroying it. It’s also advisable to increase your own tempo. By playing threats that demand immediate answers or apply significant pressure, you force the Turtle’s controller to act on your terms.
In essence, while Patient Turtle can be a thorn in your side, focusing on consistent aggression and utilizing direct removal will transform the tide of battle in your favor. It reminds us that even the mightiest defenses in Magic: The Gathering can be outplayed with the right tactics and timely responses.
Cards like Patient Turtle
Delving into the world of Magic: The Gathering, Patient Turtle introduces a unique dynamic to creature cards. With a robust defense, it finds its place among other high-toughness creatures like Wall of Roots and Tree of Redemption. Yet, Patient Turtle stands out by offering consistent defense at a bargain mana value. Wall of Roots meanwhile not only blocks but also ramps mana in the early game, an attribute Patient Turtle lacks. Tree of Redemption offers an extraordinary toughness swap feature, one that can turn the tide by exchanging its toughness for your life total. These comparisons highlight the distinct qualities of each creature, emphasizing the Patient Turtle’s role as a steadfast defender.
Shielding Plax is another card with which Patient Turtle could be thought to share similarities. Shielding Plax provides an aura that can protect a creature while granting card draw. Although not a creature itself, the Plax endows a creature with a resilience akin to Patient Turtle’s inherent durability. This direct comparison reflects a variety of strategies for players who prioritize defense and endurance. By standing strong against attacks, Patient Turtle exemplifies the value of defensive capabilities in a player’s deck just as its counterparts do.
In essence, while others offer more than mere resilience, Patient Turtle shines in its ability to provide reliable and cost-effective defense, an essential for decks prioritizing survivability.
Cards similar to Patient Turtle by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Patient Turtle MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Patient Turtle and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Patient Turtle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Katie Allison.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 82 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Katie Allison | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 82 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Katie Allison |
