Pearl Shard MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2003-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirrodin |
| Set code | MRD |
| Number | 225 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Doug Chaffee |
Text of card
, or , : Prevent the next 2 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.
Leonin folktales claim it was brought from beyond the sky by the first kha.
Cards like Pearl Shard
Pearl Shard presents itself as a versatile defensive artifact within Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the abilities of cards like Fountain of Youth, which also offers life gain, albeit without any cost. But Pearl Shard stands out with its ability to be untapped, suggesting repeatable use that can synergize with other cards, a feature Fountain of Youth does not possess.
In the realm of recurring life gain artifacts, Sun Droplet is a noteworthy comparison. Providing a steady trickle of life points, it can be more passive compared to Pearl Shard’s active control over timing the life gain. However, Sun Droplet accumulates charges, offering a potentially larger and automatic life gain during each of your upkeep phases—a contrasting approach to Pearl Shard’s manual activation.
Therefore, when considering the strategic implications of similar artifacts in the game, Pearl Shard’s unique untap ability offers a dynamic edge in player control, setting it apart in the landscape of MTG cards designed to bolster player defenses through life gain.
Cards similar to Pearl Shard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pearl Shard enables players to recycle creatures for repeated effects or protect key creatures from removal, effectively negating opposing strategies that target your permanents.
Resource Acceleration: Acting as a mana sink, Pearl Shard can smooth out turns where excess mana would otherwise go unused, ensuring every resource is maximized.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be activated at instant speed allows for strategic flexibility, providing surprise block options or saving important creatures in response to an opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pearl Shard demands a card discard from your hand to activate its ability. This can put you at a disadvantage, hampering your hand advantage and potentially setting you back against opponents who maintain card quantity.
Specific Mana Cost: It requires a specific mix of mana to cast, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck. Brews that run on a multicolor base may find the need for white mana constraining, especially when striving for a smooth and flexible mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Pearl Shard’s cost to activate its tap ability is considered steep when compared to other artifacts in the format. This can slow down your game tempo, as these resources might be allocated to more impactful board developments or immediate answers to threats.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pearl Shard offers a flexible defense mechanism that can be incorporated into various deck builds. Its ability to prevent damage to creatures can protect your key players, aligning well with strategies that prioritize creature survival.
Combo Potential: This artifact can synergize with decks that capitalize on abilities triggering from damage prevention or card activations, creating opportunities for unique and powerful combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on direct damage spells or aggressive creature attacks, Pearl Shard can serve as a critical tool to maintain board stability and give you a defensive edge.
How to beat
Pearl Shard, known for its defensive utility in MTG, permits players to untap artifacts with a simple tap and an activation fee. However, effective strategies can be employed to overpower its protective measures. One approach is to prioritize the destruction of artifacts with spells such as Shatter or naturalize effects, which can dismantle the Shard’s influence on the game. Hand disruption is another angle, ensuring Pearl Shard never makes it to the battlefield by employing thoughtsieze or inquisition of Kozilek to remove it from an opponent’s hand preemptively.
A more nuanced tactic might involve the use of counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to deny its casting altogether, preserving the balance of the game. Alternatively, taking advantage of the Shard’s activation cost, strategies that restrict the opponent’s mana can inhibit their capacity to utilize Pearl Shard effectively. Cards that induce mana restrictions, like Damping Sphere or Winter Orb, can effectively render the Shard’s ability too costly to leverage, thereby nullifying its advantage. With foresight and strategic planning, Pearl Shard’s influence can be mitigated or even turned into a disadvantage for the opponent.
In reviewing tactics that effectively counter Pearl Shard in MTG, it’s clear that a proactive and disruption-focused approach can ensure dominance over this seemingly bothersome artifact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pearl Shard 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 Pearl Shard 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pearl Shard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pearl Shard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can pay either of the two costs (but not both at the same time) to activate the ability. |