Tandem Takedown MTG Card

Gives card advantage and punctuates strategic resource acceleration with two Treasure tokens. Instant speed allows for strategic casting time, creating surprise plays and disrupting foes. Demands a card discard, which can be a tactical setback, especially in the late game.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2023-04-21
Set symbol
Set name	March of the Machine
Set code	MOM
Number	208
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Yigit Koroglu

Text of card

Up to two target creatures you control each get +1/+0 until end of turn. They each deal damage equal to their power to another target creature, planeswalker, or battle.

"I take no pleasure in this, but Vadrok might." —Vivien Reid, to Lukka

Cards like Tandem Takedown

Tandem Takedown is another unique twist on removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares akin features with options like Murder, a classic removal that can destroy any creature for a straightforward three mana cost. Tandem Takedown differentiates itself by allowing a player to draw a card if a creature died that turn, giving a player the edge of replenishing their hand which Murder lacks.

Looking at Cast Down, it offers a less restrictive mana cost and the ability to instantaneously dispatch a nonlegendary creature. While it doesn’t provide card draw like Tandem Takedown, its easier casting conditions can be pivotal in fast-paced games. Moreover, examining something like Go for the Throat, the card exclusively targets nonartifact creatures, which, similar to Cast Down, it lacks Tandem Take Takedown’s card draw bonus but shines in its focused removal capabilities.

Thus, comparing Tandem Takedown with its contemporaries, it stands out due to the added card draw ability, positioning itself as a utility card capable of both disrupting opponents and refueling your hand, a compelling combination in MTG’s vast array of removal spells.

Cards similar to Tandem Takedown by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tandem Takedown offers the valuable benefit of drawing cards, ensuring players keep their hands filled with potential answers or threats. This effect is crucial in games where maintaining a lead in resources can determine the winner.

Resource Acceleration: Additionally, the card provides an immediate boost to a player’s mana resources by granting two Treasure tokens. This acceleration can lead to casting more impactful spells earlier in the game, which can dramatically shift the tide of battle in your favor.

Instant Speed: Tandem Takedown’s instant speed means players have the flexibility to decide the most opportune moment during the match to use it. Whether it’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy at a critical time or simply using your mana efficiently before the next turn, the instant nature of this card allows for strategic depth and surprise maneuvers.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Tandem Takedown comes with the stipulation of discarding a card. This can put players at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game when each card in hand is a valuable asset or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Tandem Takedown demands a precise mana configuration to cast. This can be constraining for players running multi-color decks or those who have an inconsistent mana base, thereby limiting the card’s flexibility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Tandem Takedown might be deemed high for its effects, especially when measured against alternative removal or damage spells in the game that might cost less and offer similar or greater impact during gameplay.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tandem Takedown offers a flexible role in various deck builds. Its ability to serve as both creature removal and a combat trick allows it to adapt to a wide range of scenarios, becoming a valuable asset regardless of your strategy.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on instant-speed interactions or those that require targets for beneficial triggers. Its dual-mode functionality can enable surprise maneuvers that turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-based tactics, Tandem Takedown secures its relevance. It can disrupt opponent’s plays, making it a choice card for staying ahead in a creature-dominated environment.

How to beat

Tandem Takedown is a noteworthy card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a blend of direct creature removal and life gain. The strength of this card lies in its versatility, permitting a player to target and eliminate a crucial threat on the board while simultaneously bolstering their life total. The duality of this action is what makes Tandem Takedown stand out in the roster of removal spells.

To counteract Tandem Takedown effectively, one strategy is to thin out the threats on your battlefield. Deploying a diverse range of creatures can dilute the impact of Tandem Takedown, ensuring not all value is concentrated in a single target. Additionally, utilizing cards that provide hexproof or indestructible defenses can mitigate the removal effect and safeguard your key creatures from being picked off. By keeping the battlefield state resilient to targeted removal, players can deftly navigate around the potency of Tandem Takedown.

In essence, adapting a strategic creature deployment and incorporating protective measures is a shrewd way to outmaneuver Tandem Takedown. The objective is to minimize the value gained by your opponent when they cast this spell, maintaining your board presence and momentum in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tandem Takedown MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Takedown and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tandem Takedown has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2023-04-14	If one of the two target creatures you control is an illegal target as Tandem Takedown resolves, the other will still get +1/+0 and then deal damage equal to its power.
2023-04-14	If the last target is an illegal target as Tandem Takedown resolves, or if both of the first targets are illegal targets, nothing deals or is dealt damage.