Stack of Paperwork MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 13
2021-08-20 - Number 13
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, draw a card. Combat damage uses the stack. (Combat damage assignment can be responded to before damage is dealt.)
Cards like Stack of Paperwork
Stack of Paperwork is another intriguing entry in Magic: The Gathering’s range of quirky cards that involve drawing. This card draws a clear parallel with Unsummon, in that it’s a low-cost way to disrupt opponent’s strategies by returning a creature they control to their hand. Where Stack of Paperwork differs is its unique condition for targeting – the creature must be tapped, providing a reactive option to your opponent’s actions.
Examine closely Echoing Truth and you’ll notice some similarities. Echoing Truth also returns creatures to the owner’s hand but brings the flexibility to target any creature and can even scoop up multiple copies of the same token, making it more versatile in certain scenarios. Another card worth mentioning is Vapor Snag. This card is limited to single target creature return strategy like Stack of Paperwork but adds a sting by inflicting 1 point of damage to its controller.
When analyzing the niche that Stack of Paperwork fills in the metagame, its conditional but potentially game-stalling mechanic offers a strategic option not fully replicated by similar cards. Its tactical specificity can be a perfect fit in control decks designed to capitalize on opponent’s actions during their turn.
Cards similar to Stack of Paperwork by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stack of Paperwork allows players to churn through their deck, finding the crucial cards they need to maintain their grip on the game.
Resource Acceleration: This card can be key in ramping up your resources, giving you the fuel needed to deploy bigger threats onto the battlefield swiftly.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Stack of Paperwork at instant speed offers flexibility, enabling strategic plays in response to your opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Stack of Paperwork card necessitates the player to discard another card, which can often deplete valuable hand resources, especially detrimental in tight gameplay scenarios where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a particular combination of mana types to cast, Stack of Paperwork may not seamlessly fit into decks that don’t typically produce those colors, potentially hindering deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Stack of Paperwork brings certain benefits to the table, its mana cost sits on the higher side. Players might find alternative cards that deliver similar effects for a lesser mana investment, offering more tempo and efficiency in a match.
Reasons to Include Stack of Paperwork in Your Collection
Versatility: Stack of Paperwork offers flexibility as it can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds. Its low casting cost and ability to filter through your deck make it an excellent choice for players looking to streamline their gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card can act as a facilitator for numerous combos, helping you sift through your deck to find key pieces. It pairs well with strategies that capitalize on casting numerous spells in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where the right cards at the right moment can dictate the outcome, Stack of Paperwork stands out. It helps maintain card advantage, crucial for staying competitive against an array of decks in the evolving meta.
How to beat
Stack of Paperwork is a unique card that poses a distinct challenge on the battlefield. This artifact card offers players a meticulous path to drawing cards, somewhat resembling the mechanics of well-known cards like Howling Mine. The condition to draw for every set of actions completed makes it an interesting strategy hinge for adept players. To outplay an opponent using Stack of Paperwork, it is essential to disrupt their set patterns and prevent them from fulfilling the card’s conditions.
Effective tactics can include the use of cards that limit the number of actions a player can take each turn, such as Damping Sphere or Rule of Law, which hinder the rapid playstyle Stack of Paperwork thrives on. Artifact removal spells like Abrade or Nature’s Claim can also remove Stack of Paperwork directly, crippling its holder’s card flow. Additionally, applying pressure with unpredictable plays or swift creature attacks can divert an opponent’s focus from fulfilling Stack of Paperwork requirements to defending themselves.
Ultimately, though Stack of Paperwork can lead to a progressive card advantage, ensuring one’s strategy includes disruption and direct answers is key to overcoming the potential accumulation of resources this card provides.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stack of Paperwork 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 Stack of Paperwork 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
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Printings
The Stack of Paperwork Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Hanspeter Ziegler.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Hanspeter Ziegler | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Hanspeter Ziegler |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stack of Paperwork card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | If Stack of Paperwork leaves the battlefield once a combat damage object is on the stack, combat damage still uses the stack for this combat damage step. |
| 2019-11-12 | If a creature leaves the battlefield, combat damage it deals is dealt by that creature as it last existed on the battlefield. Combat damage that would be dealt to it isn’t dealt. |
| 2019-11-12 | If a creature that would be dealt combat damage stops being a creature, combat damage that would be dealt to it isn’t dealt. If a creature that would deal combat damage stops being a creature, it deals combat damage. |
| 2019-11-12 | No other aspects of the previous combat damage rules are applied while Stack of Paperwork is on the battlefield. Blocking creatures are still ordered and combat damage must be assigned going through that order, requiring lethal damage to be assigned in that order. |
| 2019-11-12 | Normally, each player assigns a creature’s combat damage and it’s immediately dealt. While Stack of Paperwork is on the battlefield, this assignment is put onto the stack as a single game object controlled by no player, and all damage is dealt as assigned as that object resolves. |