Talisman of Progress MTG Card


Offers mana efficiency and smoother spell casting, improving deck performance and adaptability. Enhances both mana acceleration and color fixing, making it a versatile pick for multicolored decks. Despite some drawbacks, remains a relevant choice in various metas due to its immediate utility.
Card setsReleased in 14 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. : Add or to your mana pool. Talisman of Progress deals 1 damage to you.


Cards like Talisman of Progress

The Talisman of Progress is an integral artifact for mana fixing in Magic: The Gathering. Like other talismans, such as Talisman of Hierarchy, it offers the versatility of tapping for colorless mana or tapping with life payment for one of two colors. Distinct from signets like Azorius Signet, which requires mana to activate, the Talisman provides immediate access to colored mana, albeit at a slight cost to your life points. This makes it more flexible in a pinch when you’re a mana short.

Mana Cylix also allows for color conversion but lacks the efficiency of Talisman of Progress, as it doesn’t provide its own mana. Darksteel Ingot stands out with its indestructibility and ability to tap for any color without life payment, yet it enters play a turn later due to its higher casting cost. The immediacy with which Talisman of Progress can be utilized gives it an edge in fast-paced matches where tempo matters.

Considering the dynamic needs of mana bases in various MTG decks, the Talisman of Progress finds its niche. It’s an efficient solution for dual-colored decks, particularly in formats where life totals are a resource that can be leveraged for better board state development.

Talisman of Hierarchy - MTG Card versions
Azorius Signet - MTG Card versions
Mana Cylix - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Talisman of Hierarchy - MTG Card versions
Azorius Signet - MTG Card versions
Mana Cylix - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Talisman of Progress by color, type and mana cost

Azorius Signet - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Outlander - MTG Card versions
Ethercaste Knight - MTG Card versions
Shield of the Righteous - MTG Card versions
The Grand Calcutron - MTG Card versions
Gold-Forged Thopteryx - MTG Card versions
Azorius Signet - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Outlander - MTG Card versions
Ethercaste Knight - MTG Card versions
Shield of the Righteous - MTG Card versions
The Grand Calcutron - MTG Card versions
Gold-Forged Thopteryx - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Talisman of Progress. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Thopter ComboThopter Combo ModernThopter ComboModern Preliminary 2024-04-12
TronTron ModernTronModern League 2024-04-08

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Talisman of Progress enhances your potential to utilize mana more efficiently, which can indirectly lead to card advantage. By smoothing out mana availability, you are enabled to cast multiple spells in a turn, deploy threats faster, and react to your opponent’s moves with less restriction, making each card in your hand even more valuable.

Resource Acceleration: One of the significant attributes of this artifact is its ability to boost resource acceleration. Talisman of Progress provides an immediate uptick in your mana resources, allowing you to access more expensive spells sooner or develop your board presence at a quicker pace. Essentially, it ensures that you’re able to make the most out of each turn by ramping up your available mana.

Instant Speed: While the Talisman itself is not an instant, its ability to remain untapped and ready to generate mana parallels the tactical flexibility that instant speed spells offer. This means you can respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn without sacrificing progression on your own, staying responsive and versatile as the game unfolds.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Talisman of Progress does not require discarding a card, it can still set you back when considering card advantage. Each damage taken for mana potentially equates to losing a fragment of your resources, hindering your long-term game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: For players running multi-colored decks, the color-specific mana produced by Talisman of Progress may not always align with their mana needs, especially in decks that are not focused on white or blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Talisman of Progress is not exorbitant in its cost, it does present a higher cost for mana fixing when compared to some other mana-fixing options available. This means it can be a less desirable choice in a deck where speed and efficiency are paramount.


Reasons to Include Talisman of Progress in Your Collection

Versatility: Talisman of Progress is a popular choice for a variety of deck builds, as it offers both mana acceleration and color fixing. Its ability to tap for colorless or one of two different colors with a minor life payment makes it a flexible addition to decks especially in Commander where mana diversity is crucial.

Combo Potential: This artifact is not just for mana; it’s often used in combination with cards that care about artifacts or those that can untap permanents. Whether you’re looking to enhance strategies based around artifact synergy or just need reliable mana, Talisman of Progress can be an engine in the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the right mana at the right time is always critical, Talisman of Progress has maintained its relevance. It’s as useful in fast-paced, aggressive metas as it is in slower, more control-oriented games, allowing it to fit seamlessly into numerous archetypes and strategies.


How to beat

Talisman of Progress occupies a special niche in the realm of mana acceleration for Magic: The Gathering players. Residing in the roster of mana artifacts, it stands out because it provides immediate access to two types of mana, white and blue, crucial for multicolored decks. Though it can be a boon to those who wield it, overcoming its advantages is entirely possible.

Artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Nature’s Claim will make short work of the Talisman, stripping your opponent of that vital mana boost. Cards such as Stony Silence can completely nullify the Talisman’s abilities, preventing its use for the duration it’s on the field. It’s also worth considering the inclusion of counter artifacts like Damping Sphere, which can impede the utility of the Talisman for decks that rely heavily on artifacts or nonbasic lands for generating copious amounts of mana quickly.

In essence, while Talisman of Progress provides substantial strategic value, ensuring your deck has the right mix of removal, suppression, and counters is key to neutralizing its impact and maintaining control over the game’s flow.


BurnMana Recommendations

The power of Talisman of Progress in MTG cannot be understated, blending smooth mana acceleration with strategic versatility. Recognizing its potential and limitations can dramatically affect your gameplay, shaping the way you plan and react to opponents. As much as this artifact adds value to your deck, remember that there are ways to counteract its benefits. Harness the advantages of Talisman of Progress but stay vigilant about artifact removal and restrictions that could hamper its effectiveness. Eager to optimize your use of such artifacts or counter strategies effectively? Dive deeper with us and enrich your MTG experience, ensuring each match reflects the full extent of your strategic prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Talisman of Progress MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Talisman of Progress and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Talisman of Progress Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 2562003NormalBlackMike Dringenberg
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 mb2562003NormalGoldMike Dringenberg
32011-05-14Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New PhyrexiaTD2 262003NormalBlackMike Dringenberg
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10521997NormalBlackDan Frazier
52022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2582015NormalBlackPhilip Helliwell
62022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 258★2015NormalBlackPhilip Helliwell
72023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2862015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9802015NormalBlackMike Dringenberg
92023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 8442015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy
102023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 2532015NormalBlackAndrey Kuzinskiy
112024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2432015NormalBlackMike Dringenberg
122024-03-08FalloutPIP 7772015NormalBlackIlker Yildiz
132024-03-08FalloutPIP 2492015NormalBlackIlker Yildiz
142024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 3132015NormalBlackMike Dringenberg

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Talisman of Progress has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal