Tatterkite MTG Card


Tatterkite - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Scarecrow
Abilities Flying
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number264
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRon Brown

Key Takeaways

  1. Tatterkite shines with persist mechanics, evading both +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters for lasting board impact.
  2. Its synergy with artifact-rich decks can indirectly increase your resource control and mana acceleration.
  3. Though not instant-speed, Tatterkite’s constant battlefield presence bolsters strategic instant-speed plays.

Text of card

Flying Tatterkite can't have counters placed on it.

"I rigged it together from wicker and scrap, yet somehow I find it unalterably perfect." —Braenna, cobblesmith


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tatterkite excels in scenarios where persist mechanics or counter manipulation are key. Its resistance to being altered with +1/+1 or -1/-1 counters means it remains a consistent presence on the battlefield, offering you an advantage by maintaining board state.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Tatterkite itself does not directly accelerate resources, its synergies with artifact-centric decks can indirectly lead to ramping up your resources. It fortifies your artifacts count and can contribute to strategies revolving around improving your mana base or resource leverage.

Instant Speed: Tatterkite may not operate at instant speed, but its enduring presence can influence your plays much like having an instant on hand. It’s always ready to act as a blocker or an enabler for instant-speed combos without the worry of being diminished by counters, effectively buying you time to set up your winning moves.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Tatterkite’s requirement for both colorless and hybrid mana can strain a mana base, especially in decks running three or more colors. This might limit its seamless integration into various deck builds where mana fixing is not heavily factored in.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is not trivial, Tatterkite may compete with other three-drops in your deck, which could potentially offer more impactful effects on the board state. Players must weigh its cost against its resilience and usefulness throughout the course of a game.

Discard Requirement: While not directly related to Tatterkite’s inherent abilities, any synergistic strategies involving discard mechanisms may indirectly affect its viability. Decks that require card discard as a cost for other effects could put players at a resource disadvantage, which is a factor to consider when including Tatterkite in such strategies.


Reasons to Include Tatterkite in Your Collection

Versatility: Tatterkite’s immunity to counters can make it an asset in a diverse range of decks. It’s impervious to popular counter-based strategies, giving it a certain staying power on the board.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature with a unique counter interaction, Tatterkite has synergy with decks that manipulate counters or artifacts. It can be a critical piece in some intricate combo setups, particularly in those that exploit its unchangeable state.

Meta-Relevance: Its resistance to counter additions or subtractions makes Tatterkite relevant in metas dominated by +1/+1 counter strategies, Superfriends decks, and proliferate mechanics. It can act as a reliable counterbalance to these prevalent trends.


How to beat

Tatterkite is a unique artifact creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can be quite perplexing to duel against. Known for its persistence, this card is invulnerable to any sort of counters being placed on it. This means conventional combat tricks or -1/-1 counter strategies simply won’t work. However, there are ways to outmaneuver this seemingly resilient foe.

One effective tactic is employing board wipes that don’t rely on counters. Sweeping effects like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can clear Tatterkite from the battlefield without interacting with counters. Alternatively, utilizing exile effects such as “Path to Exile” or “Swords to Plowshares” circumvents Tatterkite’s protection by removing it from the game entirely. Timing is also crucial; since Tatterkite can often fly under the radar, prioritizing more imminent threats until you can handle it efficiently is a wise approach. Keep in mind that Tatterkite’s strength lies in its specificity, thus broad-spectrum solutions tend to be the most effective countermeasures.

Ultimately, though Tatterkite presents a unique challenge, it’s not insurmountable. With thoughtful strategy and deck choices, you can ensure that this pesky artifact creature doesn’t hinder your path to victory.


Cards like Tatterkite

Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Tatterkite holds a unique place as an artifact creature with built-in resilience. Akin to the likes of Phantom Nomad, Tatterkite is impervious to damage counters due to its immunity to +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters. However, Phantom Nomad, while similar, can only prevent a limited amount of damage before perishing. Tatterkite edges out in terms of indefinite protection, as it never accrues damage counters.

Exploring further parallels, we encounter the Clockwork Beetle. This artifact creature gains +2/+2 counters when entering the battlefield yet loses them as it engages in combat. Unlike Tatterkite, which maintains a steady board presence unaffected by damage-based removal or combat losses, Clockwork Beetle’s power fluctuates, degrading over time. Another comparable card is Etched Monstrosity, which is also immune to damage counters after its initial condition is met. However, it necessitates a heavy investment to remove negative counters before it becomes truly unstoppable, a step Tatterkite bypasses altogether.

Through these comparisons, Tatterkite emerges as a reliable fixture in decks seeking enduring artifact creatures, effortlessly eclipsing similar cards with its perpetual shield against damage counters.

Phantom Nomad - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beetle - MTG Card versions
Etched Monstrosity - MTG Card versions
Phantom Nomad - Judgment (JUD)
Clockwork Beetle - Mirrodin (MRD)
Etched Monstrosity - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Cards similar to Tatterkite by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Sunglasses of Urza - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Ebony Horse - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Arena of the Ancients - Chronicles (CHR)
Bösium Strip - Weatherlight (WTH)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Static Orb - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Wall of Spears - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Vedalken Shackles - Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)
Loxodon Warhammer - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Sword of Feast and Famine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tatterkite MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Tatterkite and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tatterkite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-05-01 A spell or ability whose effect would put a counter on Tatterkite simply doesn’t affect it. The spell or ability isn’t countered. If it would put counters on any other creatures, it continues to do so.
2008-05-01 If Tatterkite is dealt damage by a creature with wither, that damage has no effect. It’s not prevented; it just doesn’t do anything. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will still trigger.
2008-05-01 If Tatterkite would enter the battlefield with counters on it, it enters the battlefield but doesn’t have those counters. For example, if an effect grants it persist and then it’s destroyed, it returns to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it.
2008-05-01 Tatterkite’s ability prevents any kind of counter from being placed on it, not just -1/-1 counters.
2008-05-01 You can’t pay a cost that includes putting a counter on Tatterkite. For example, if Tatterkite is the only creature you control, you can’t cast Scarscale Ritual because you can’t pay the additional cost.

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