Tainted Monkey MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Monkey
Abilities	Mill
Released	2004-11-19
Set symbol
Set name	Unhinged
Set code	UNH
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	64
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Mark Zug
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Tainted Monkey offers card advantage by manipulating hand and deck, crucial for game-winning resource control.
The card can enable resource acceleration for earlier plays, albeit with a caveat of requiring certain mana types.
Instant speed casting of Tainted Monkey potentially allows for surprise plays and agile responses in tight matches.

Text of card

: Choose a word. Target player puts the top card of his or her library into his or her graveyard. If that card has the chosen word in its text box, that player loses 3 life.

"C'mon, choose 'monkey.' Everybody loves monkeys!"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When deck-building or strategizing in-game, card advantage is a crucial factor to consider. Tainted Monkey adds value by potentially offering control over the hand, allowing you to sift through your deck and get the resources needed when it matters most.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is akin to fuelling your engine more efficiently in the race to outpace your opponent. The Tainted Monkey might provide an inventive way to ramp up your resources, letting you unleash threats or answers earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells cannot be overstated. If Tainted Monkey can be cast at instant speed, this allows for reactive play during your opponent’s end step or in response to certain actions, keeping up the pressure while still being a nimble and resourceful contender in your arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tainted Monkey’s effectiveness comes at a price, as you must discard another card to activate its abilities. This action decreases your hand size and could potentially require you to sacrifice vital cards needed for later in the game, which could put you at a strategic disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Another hurdle in utilizing Tainted Monkey is its strict color alignment. Boasting a mana cost that necessitates specific color resources, it restricts the card’s compatibility, being viable mostly in decks that can reliably produce the exact mana combination, thereby reducing its overall flexibility in deck-building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing efficiency, Tainted Monkey’s abilities come at a steep cost. Considering its overall impact on the game, the mana investment to get Tainted Monkey on the battlefield may not align with the benefit received, especially when alternatives exist that could potentially yield more value or have a more immediate impact for the same, or less, mana expenditure.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tainted Monkey’s adaptability is unparalleled, making it a valuable addition to various deck archetypes. Its ability to impact both the board state and players’ hand choices positions it as a multifaceted tool in gameplay.

Combo Potential: The unique mechanics of Tainted Monkey allow for synergies with discard strategies or with cards that benefit from hand manipulation, opening the door to numerous combo opportunities within the game.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-evolving meta, Tainted Monkey remains relevant, able to challenge opponents’ strategies by forcing unexpected decisions and disrupting their game plan, proving its worth in dynamic competitive environments.

How to beat

Tainted Monkey is a unique card that can make or break a game in MTG. Renowned for the humorous touch it brings to casual formats, the Tainted Monkey allows players to create potentially unexpected scenarios. To strategically outmaneuver this card, consider enhancing your deck with removal spells that can swiftly deal with creatures irrespective of their name-changing abilities. Instant speed spells are particularly effective, allowing you to react during your opponent’s turn, neutralizing the Tainted Monkey before it can be used to its full advantage.

Moreover, utilizing cards that protect your creatures from being targeted or granting hexproof can be a sound countermeasure. This ensures your valued creatures remain out of the reach of such whimsical effects. Being proactive is also key—applying pressure and forcing your opponent to use their resources defensively can prevent them from establishing the board presence needed to capitalize on the Tainted Monkey’s capability.

In essence, recognizing when to hold back pivotal spells for the right moment against cards like Tainted Monkey, and crafting your deck to be resilient against direct interference, can significantly increase your chances of coming out on top in a match where the unexpected could turn the tides.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tainted Monkey MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged, 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 Tainted Monkey and other MTG cards: