Paper Tiger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Cat
Power 4
Toughness 3
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Paper Tiger’s evasion against certain spells can preserve vital hand resources in specific matchups.
  2. Its low cost and survivability enable early game presence, offering a subtle resource advantage.
  3. While requiring an instant-speed response, Paper Tiger’s impact may not justify its mana cost.

Text of card

Rock Lobsters cannot attack or block.

The tiger is always quick to fold.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Paper Tiger might not directly let you draw cards, but its unique ability to evade specific spells can save critical cards in your hand, maintaining your resources against certain decks.

Resource Acceleration: While Paper Tiger doesn’t generate resources in a traditional sense, its low cost and potential to stick around on the board can help you establish board presence early on, indirectly accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Paper Tiger itself isn’t an instant, its resilient nature means it can effectively require an instant-speed answer from an opponent who might be relying on “Rock Lobster” or “Scissors Lizard” for removal, thereby disrupting their tempo and strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of playing with Paper Tiger is the need to part with another card from your hand. This can be a significant disadvantage when your hand is already running low and losing any card could compromise your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Paper Tiger calls for specific mana combinations to play, which might not always align with your deck’s mana base. This can make it challenging for decks that don’t produce the right colors naturally or struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although endearing for its theme, Paper Tiger carries a mana cost that is steep when compared to the impact it has on the game. For its cost, other cards could offer more dynamic interactions or contribute more substantially to your board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Paper Tiger is a unique card that can seamlessly integrate into decks featuring unorthodox strategies or where unexpected card choices can throw opponents off balance, especially in casual play groups.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a whimsical but strategic piece in combo chains, interacting with cards that rely on creature types or specific card names, adding a layer of fun and surprise to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: While not a staple in competitive environments, including Paper Tiger in your collection adds diversity and can shine in the right kitchen table meta where creativity and novelty are as appreciated as a tight, competitive build.


How to beat

Paper Tiger presents a whimsical challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as it’s part of the Unglued expansion, known for its humorous and non-standard cards. The card is cleverly designed to be invulnerable against creatures named Rock Lobster, yet it’s inherently weak to an opponent’s Scissors Lizard, adhering to the age-old game of Rock-Paper-Scissors. As such, bringing a Scissors Lizard into play ensures a swift defeat to the seemingly indomitable Paper Tiger.

Understanding the playful nature of Paper Tiger can be key to any strategy. Beyond its literal interactions with cards of a similar theme, its power and toughness of 4/3 at the cost of four mana make it rather underwhelming in a competitive environment. Players might consider removal spells or direct damage to efficiently handle Paper Tiger, enabling them to focus on more impactful threats. Thus, while Paper Tiger may appear formidable within its own set, in a broader context, it succumbs to a variety of commonsensical solutions widely available within a player’s arsenal.

Overall, this card highlights the quirky and less serious aspect of Magic: The Gathering, where the focus shifts to playful deck construction and enjoying the game’s lighter side. Despite its niche use, players can easily overcome Paper Tiger by analyzing its strengths, its playful weaknesses, and employing the abundant MTG mechanics that don’t follow the Rock-Paper-Scissors gimmick.


Cards like Paper Tiger

The whimsical Paper Tiger holds a unique spot in the world of MTG Unglued set, a niche collection known for its humorous take on card design and gameplay. Paper Tiger is similar to cards from the Rock-Paper-Scissors trio, which includes Scissors Lizard and Rock Lobster. All of these cards share an ability that dominates one another in a cyclic fashion. However, what sets Paper Tiger apart is its unfailing triumph over Rock Lobster, mimicking the classic game it’s themed after.

Outside this playful trio, we might consider Norwood Ranger, another card with a power and toughness configuration of 2/3. While Norwood Ranger doesn’t share the same intrinsic rock-paper-scissors mechanic, it stands as a counterpart in terms of its vanilla stat line and creature type, Elf. But in the realm of practicality, the lighthearted Paper Tiger leads with a more entertaining interaction, particularly in casual formats where MTG embraces its more whimsical side.

In sum, while Paper Tiger may not be a staple in competitive decks, its novel design and jovial interaction with its counterparts make it a memorable piece in Magic: The Gathering’s comedic Unglued set.

Scissors Lizard - MTG Card versions
Rock Lobster - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Scissors Lizard - Unglued (UGL)
Rock Lobster - Unglued (UGL)
Norwood Ranger - Portal Second Age (P02)

Cards similar to Paper Tiger by color, type and mana cost

Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Tower of Fortunes - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Juggernaut - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Dancing Scimitar - Revised Edition (3ED)
Grinning Totem - Mirage (MIR)
Phyrexian Processor - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Patagia Golem - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Lodestone Myr - Mirrodin (MRD)
Krark-Clan Ironworks - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ur-Golem's Eye - Commander 2014 (C14)
Jester's Cap - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bottled Cloister - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Rod of Ruin - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Gnarled Effigy - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Scrapbasket - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Magnetic Mine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Icy Manipulator - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Eye of Doom - Commander 2013 (C13)
Well of Lost Dreams - The List (PLST)
Tower of Fortunes - Commander 2013 (C13)
Coercive Portal - Conspiracy (CNS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Paper Tiger MTG card by a specific set like Unglued and Unsanctioned, 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 Paper Tiger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Paper Tiger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-08-11 and 2020-02-29. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-08-11UngluedUGL 781997normalsilverHeather Hudson
22020-02-29UnsanctionedUND 802015normalsilverHeather Hudson

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