Puppet Strings MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 304

Puppet Strings - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)

Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
2010-03-19 - Number 22

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Grants board control by tapping or untapping creatures without losing cards.
Indirectly accelerates resources, offering subtle yet impactful advantages.
Activation at instant speed provides a dynamic edge during matches.

Text of card

, oc T: Tap or untap target creature.

"Have no illusions," Volrath warned Greven, "about free will."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Puppet Strings is a veritable tool for controlling the board without losing card equity. Its ability to repeatedly tap or untap a creature ensures that you can maneuver your units or restrict an opponent’s, effectively maintaining your hand while disrupting theirs.

Resource Acceleration: While Puppet Strings doesn’t directly produce mana, it indirectly accelerates your resources by freeing up your creatures for additional uses or denying resources to your opponent. It’s the subtle push, sometimes just enough to tilt the balance in a mana-strapped situation.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Puppet Strings shines with its instant speed activation. Whether you’re navigating through complex combat phases or manipulating your foes’ assets on their turn, having the capability to use Puppet Strings at any moment is invaluable, affording you a dynamic edge in the ebb and flow of a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Puppet Strings card obligates players to discard a card when utilized, a distinct drawback when your hand is running low on options. This process can often force players to make tough decisions, especially when holding key components to their strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Puppet Strings requires a combination of generic and specific mana for activation. In this case, the reliance on a precise mana type can complicate its use in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the power to manipulate creatures on the battlefield is useful, Puppet Strings comes with a mana investment that is on the higher side. Players must weigh its battlefield control abilities against other options that may offer similar effects with a lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include Puppet Strings in Your Collection

Versatility: Puppet Strings is a card that provides flexibility in various gameplay situations. Its ability to tap or untap target creature can be integrated into multiple deck archetypes, benefiting from either defensive or aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines when combined with cards that have tap or untap abilities, enabling endless combos or facilitating powerful interactions that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where controlling opponents’ creatures and key board states is crucial, Puppet Strings stands out as a useful tool to navigate through complex board interactions and maintain tempo.

How to beat

Puppet Strings is a versatile artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering that gives players the power to tap or untap target creatures at will. This flexibility can be quite a thorn in the side, especially if you’re facing a strategy reliant on continual creature combat readiness.

To effectively counter Puppet Strings, consider incorporating artifact removal cards into your deck. By targeting Puppet Strings directly with cards like Nature’s Claim or Disenchant, you can remove the artifact from play, thereby eroding your opponent’s control over the battlefield. On another front, casting instant speed removal spells grants the advantage of surprise, allowing you to eliminate key creatures before Puppet Strings can be used to untap them.

Moreover, employing hexproof or shroud abilities for your own creatures can render Puppet Strings ineffective against them, as these abilities protect your creatures from being targeted by the artifact. When it comes to defensive measures, remember that speed is crucial. By staying one step ahead and disrupting your opponent’s plans, you maintain a stronger position on the field and keep Puppet Strings from twisting the game out of your favor.

Cards like Puppet Strings

Puppet Strings stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile artifact that grants players the power to tap or untap a creature at whim. This offers a direct comparison to cards such as Icy Manipulator, sharing the same tapping ability. However, Puppet Strings differs by including the option to untap, giving players more strategic flexibility during their turns or in response to opponents’ actions.

Another card echoing Puppet Strings’ utility is Magewright’s Stone. Though this stone only untaps creatures, it targets those with activated abilities that put a timestamp on the game if untapped at the right moment. Affordability is the highlight of Twiddle, a spell echoing Puppet Strings’ duality but as a one-time instant use and at one mere blue mana.

Taking these comparisons into account, Puppet Strings has its niche secured within MTG artifacts. Its dual function serves varied playstyles, allowing it to adapt to a range of decks and situations. The ability to repeatedly manipulate the battlefield with neither bias to tap nor untap cements its place as a card of choice for players who value continuous control.

Icy Manipulator - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Puppet Strings by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Puppet Strings MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Puppet Strings and other MTG cards: