Tandem Tactics MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 52
2018-06-08 - Number 112
2019-11-07 - Number 255
2020-07-17 - Number 135
2024-02-23 - Number 76
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-112
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Up to two target creatures each get +1/+2 until end of turn. You gain 2 life.
In times of infestation and war, Zendikar favors the blades that strike in unison.
Cards like Tandem Tactics
Tandem Tactics stands out in the world of creature-bolstering spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the lifegain and power-boosting qualities with cards like Inspired Charge, which also gives a temporary boost to your creatures on the battlefield. Tandem Tactics edges forward with its lower mana cost and immediate impact, allowing for a quick and unexpected shift during combat. Inspired Charge, requires more mana and is better suited for a more substantial, game-ending push.
Examining another peer, Moment of Heroism, similar benefits are found. Moment of Heroism offers the same power increase and lifegain, but where it shines is in its ability to target a single creature for an even lower mana cost, perfect for protective plays or outmaneuvering single-target threats. Conversely, Tandem Tactics provides a more diversified advantage, affecting two creatures at once which can be crucial in tipping the scales in more complex battle scenarios.
Ultimately, Tandem Tactics finds its place among MTG’s pump spells by delivering a balanced blend of affordability, versatility, and the element of surprise, making it a smart pick for players looking to fortify their ranks and swing life totals in their favor.
Cards similar to Tandem Tactics by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tandem Tactics provides an immediate impact on the board by buffing two creatures, which can turn the tides of the game without losing card quantity. It’s especially effective when you’re trying to maintain board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, the card’s cost-effectiveness aids in preserving resources. It allows you to deploy other spells or abilities in the same turn, enabling a more dynamic and aggressive strategy.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Tandem Tactics at instant speed is a significant tactical boon. It allows for surprise enhancements during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, providing flexibility and the element of surprise in a match.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Tandem Tactics requires both white mana and generic mana to play. This restriction means it might not fit into multicolored decks that can’t consistently produce white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effect of giving a minor boost to two creatures and a bit of life gain, Tandem Tactics has a noticeable cost. Other cards may provide a greater power boost or additional benefits for the same or lower mana investment.
Discard Requirement: While Tandem Tactics itself doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it may be a card you choose to discard to effects that do require it due to the above limitations, which could be seen as a con if it’s not the optimal play at the time.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tandem Tactics shines in its ability to seamlessly fit into various deck types, serving a crucial role in both aggressive and defensive strategies. This instant can bolster your creatures during combat or work as an emergency lifeline, adapting to your needs on the fly.
Combo Potential: What makes this card particularly interesting is its capability to interact with life gain and creature-focused synergies. When paired with cards that benefit from life gain or creatures getting buffed, Tandem Tactics can be the linchpin in a powerful and unexpected combo.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and instant speed, Tandem Tactics holds its ground in a meta that favors quick plays and creature-based tactics. It can be the difference between victory and defeat in closely-fought matches, providing you with the utility to outmaneuver opponents when it counts.
How to Beat Tandem Tactics
Overcoming Tandem Tactics, a card that provides creatures a sudden boost in both power and toughness while potentially gaining you precious life points, requires strategic planning. In the context of Magic: The Gathering, this can be a pivot during combat, making creatures harder to defeat and turning the tide of the game. It’s imperative to anticipate its play, as it’s often used as a surprise combat trick.
When facing an opponent who utilizes Tandem Tactics, your best bet is to keep removal spells at the ready, particularly instant-speed ones that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by taking out key creatures before the buff takes effect. Counterspells are also an effective measure, as they can stop Tandem Tactics from ever resolving. Board clear spells serve as another avenue, wiping out multiple creatures and negating the advantage gained from such combat tricks.
Ultimately, your ability to predict and preemptively respond to combat tricks like Tandem Tactics can define the outcome of the encounter. Successfully navigating these situations requires patience and understanding the perfect moments for your removals, counters, and board clears to maximize their impact in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tandem Tactics MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Battlebond, 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 Tandem Tactics 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 Tandem Tactics Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by David Gaillet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 112 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 255 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 135 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | BBD-112 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet | ||
| 6 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 76 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Gaillet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tandem Tactics has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tandem Tactics card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | You can cast Tandem Tactics with no targets. When it resolves, you’ll gain 2 life. However, if you cast Tandem Tactics with any targets and all of those targets are illegal as it tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t gain 2 life in that case. |