Tumble Magnet MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 218
2015-05-22 - Number 233
2020-08-07 - Number 304
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
Tumble Magnet enters the battlefield with three charge counters on it. , Remove a charge counter from Tumble Magnet: Tap target artifact or creature.
Magnetic devices that keep massive golems and structures standing can also be used for the opposite purpose.
Cards like Tumble Magnet
Tumble Magnet stands as a unique artifact in MTG, holding its place in the realm of board control options. It’s often likened to cards like Icy Manipulator, which similarly allows players to tap target creatures or artifacts. Tumble Magnet, however, arrives with three charge counters, giving players a finite number of uses without further modification. This differs from the continuous control offered by Icy Manipulator, whose use is only limited by the available mana to activate it.
Another card worthy of comparison is Lux Cannon, which despite its steeper cost, presents a more permanent solution by destroying any target once the required charge counters are accumulated. Though Tumble Magnet doesn’t destroy, its lower cost and immediate usability provide a quicker albeit temporary solution. Conversely, the likes of Pacification Array offer similar tapping utility but at a lower initial investment and ongoing mana cost for each use, serving well in decks that can afford the repeated cost for extended control.
Ultimately, Tumble Magnet’s role in MTG is clear when examining its competition. The card synergizes well with decks that can benefit from temporary disabling of threats, striking a balance between immediacy and resource management, making it a valuable piece in certain strategic scenarios.
Cards similar to Tumble Magnet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tumble Magnet offers a unique type of card advantage by containing three charge counters. Each counter represents a potential action, effectively giving you access to three uses of the card. This means that, while it might not allow you to draw more cards, it prolongs its usefulness across multiple turns, disrupting your opponent’s strategies and giving you an edge in maintaining board control.
Resource Acceleration: Even though Tumble Magnet itself does not directly accelerate your mana resources, its ability to tap potential threats aligns with resource acceleration by saving the mana you would otherwise spend on dealing with those threats. This enables you to allocate your mana to other spells and actions that advance your board state, thus indirectly contributing to your resource management and acceleration.
Instant Speed: Tumble Magnet’s ability to tap artifacts or creatures can effectively be used at instant speed. You can strategically wait until the most impactful moment to use the ability, such as during the declare attackers or blockers step, to disrupt your opponent’s plays. This flexible timing can often translate into a significant tempo swing in your favor, potentially halting a critical attacker or enabling a crucial attack of your own.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tumble Magnet doesn’t directly cause you to discard cards, but its one-time use nature means you are effectively discarding it after depleting its counters. This can disadvantage your field presence in the long game as you lose an artifact with no immediate means of retrieval or reactivation.
Specific Mana Cost: Although Tumble Magnet requires generic mana, costing three mana means it competes with other impactful plays in the three-slot position within a deck. It’s vital to assess whether its effect warrants inclusion over other three-cost options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While initially the card’s cost seems modest, the activation also requires the expenditure of charge counters. Once depleted, without any external synergies or counter replenishment mechanisms, its comparably high mana cost for essentially a finite set of uses may not always represent the best value in terms of controlling the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Tumble Magnet in Your Collection
Versatility: Tumble Magnet offers flexible control options, seamlessly fitting into artifact-centric decks or any build looking to manipulate the board state by tapping potential threats.
Combo Potential: With its ability to tap creatures or other permanents, Tumble Magnet can synergize with tap and untap mechanics, setting the stage for intriguing and powerful combos within the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where creatures and activated abilities can dominate play, Tumble Magnet serves as a strategic piece, providing timely disruption against various popular tactics.
How to beat
Tumble Magnet is a versatile card that can be a roadblock when facing creature-heavy decks in Magic the Gathering. It operates by leveraging charge counters to effectively tap potential threats. Evidently, this can disrupt strategies or buy time, especially in key moments of a match.
One approach to circumvent the hindrance of Tumble Magnet is incorporating artifact destruction into your deck. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Abrade can efficiently remove Tumble Magnet from the battlefield, reducing its ability to interfere with your creature’s assault. Another tactic is to utilize hexproof creatures that are immune to being targeted by Tumble Magnet’s tap ability, thereby maintaining your offensive momentum.
Moreover, deploying a strategy with a multitude of low-cost creatures can overwhelm the limited charge counters of Tumble Magnet, diluting its control effect over the game. Agility is key here, squeezing value from each creature before Tumble Magnet can neutralize them. Remember, once its charge counters are depleted, Tumble Magnet’s utility fades, leaving your path to victory clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tumble Magnet MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Tumble Magnet 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Tumble Magnet Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Drew Baker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 218 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 233 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 3 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 304 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tumble Magnet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tumble Magnet card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | Once Tumble Magnet has run out of charge counters, it remains on the battlefield. |