Perpetual Timepiece MTG Card


Perpetual Timepiece enables effective graveyard utilization, enhancing numerous MTG strategies with self-mill capabilities. Its instant speed activation affords flexibility and strategic reactive play to adapt to opponents’ moves. While powerful, Timepiece requires careful mana management and understanding of discard synergies.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Mill

Text of card

: Put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard. , Exile Perpetual Timepiece: Shuffle any number of target cards from your graveyard into your library.

Do not be so caught up in keeping track of time that you forget to make use of it.


Cards like Perpetual Timepiece

Perpetual Timepiece is a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering, offering players a mechanism to mill their own libraries while also providing an option to salvage specific cards later in the game. Delve into the world of MTG artifacts, and you’ll see similarities with other mill artifacts like Mesmeric Orb. Mesmeric Orb requires no mana to activate and mills cards from both players’ libraries during their untap step, making it a double-edged sword as opposed to Perpetual Timepiece’s controlled self-mill.

Another comparison can be drawn with Codex Shredder, which also mills cards, but does so one at a time, offering more precision than the Timepiece. However, the Timepiece allows for a large number of cards to be recycled back into one’s library, a feature the Shredder lacks. This makes Perpetual Timepiece a standout for players looking to tailor their graveyard with strategic depth.

Considering these comparisons, Perpetual Timepiece holds its ground as a potent tool for self-mill strategies, letting players reshape their graveyard contents for tactical advancements in the game. Its unique balance of milling and salvage elevates it within the specialized arsenal of graveyard-centric artifacts.

Mesmeric Orb - MTG Card versions
Codex Shredder - MTG Card versions
Mesmeric Orb - MTG Card versions
Codex Shredder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Perpetual Timepiece by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
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Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
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Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Perpetual Timepiece supports a healthy graveyard by milling cards, effectively churning through the deck to access key components more efficiently, and enhancing strategies reliant on graveyard interactions.

Resource Acceleration: By filling your graveyard, the Perpetual Timepiece sets the stage for mechanics that operate off the number of cards in a graveyard, indirectly speeding up the effectiveness of such strategies and enabling quicker payoffs.

Instant Speed: The Perpetual Timepiece can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and allowing players to make decisions reactively, adapting to changing game states without sacrificing the initiative on their turn. This also enables strategic milling just before a crucial draw or in response to an opponent’s action.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When utilizing Perpetual Timepiece, one factor to consider is its interaction with discard mechanics. While this artifact itself does not demand discarding from hand, if you’re leveraging the graveyard synergies, you might find yourself needing to balance which resources to discard in gameplay to optimize its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: While Perpetual Timepiece’s cost is colorless, it does demand two mana of any type. This specificity doesn’t pigeonhole it into any single color, but in fast-paced matches or decks with stringent mana curves, dedicating two mana to an artifact that doesn’t immediately affect the board could be seen as a setback.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With decks that are constructed to maximize efficiency, the Perpetual Timepiece’s utility must be weighed against its two-mana cost. For some players, incorporating an early-game artifact that primarily serves to shape graveyard contents might not provide the same immediate value as other cards at a similar or lower mana threshold.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Perpetual Timepiece is a welcome addition to a wide array of decks, particularly those harnessing graveyard strategies or aiming to protect against mill effects. Its ability to churn cards into the graveyard is an asset for setup and execution alike.

Combo Potential: It has synergies in strategies focused on threshold and delve mechanics, or with cards like ‘Laboratory Maniac’ for an alternate win condition by reshaping your library into your graveyard. The Timepiece’s self-recurring feature can be vital in long-lasting matches.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based play gaining traction and flexibility in various formats, Perpetual Timepiece aligns with the current trends, making it a prudent choice for players looking to stay competitive while having a versatile utility card at their disposal.


How to Beat Perpetual Timepiece

Perpetual Timepiece is a unique artifact in the landscape of MTG, serving as both a method for players to mill themselves and a way to salvage key cards from the graveyard. To effectively counter this card, you’ll need to consider strategies that neutralize its impact on the game. Graveyard hate cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace can disrupt the synergy that Perpetual Timepiece aims to accomplish, by removing the graveyard as a resource entirely.

Additionally, direct artifact removal spells such as Abrupt Decay or Naturalize can deal with the Timepiece before it starts shaping the battlefield. Players can also employ counterspells like Negate when the Timepiece is cast to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Since Perpetual Timepiece is often used in decks that rely on graveyard mechanics to function, any disruption to this resource can significantly hamper your opponent’s strategy.

It’s crucial to note that timing and understanding the opponent’s deck play a pivotal role. By tracking key cards that go into the graveyard, you determine the best moment to strike, ensuring that your removal or negation yields maximum impact.


BurnMana Recommendations

Grasping the intricacies of Perpetual Timepiece in your MTG arsenal could make the difference between a good deck and a great one. It’s not just a matter of playing the card, but also understanding how it threads into the fabric of your overall strategy. By recognizing its strengths and accounting for potential drawbacks, you can maximize its capabilities. Whether you’re new to graveyard tactics or seeking to refine your existing approach, the utility of Perpetual Timepiece cannot be understated. Elevate your game by integrating this card into your collection and mastering its applications. Ready to turn the tides of battle in your favor? Embark on a deeper exploration with us and uncover the full potential of your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Perpetual Timepiece MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and The List, 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 Perpetual Timepiece and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Perpetual Timepiece Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Cliff Childs.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 2272015NormalBlackCliff Childs
22020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-2272015NormalBlackCliff Childs
32024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2632015NormalBlackCliff Childs

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Perpetual Timepiece has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-09-20 You can activate Perpetual Timepiece's second ability with no targets just to shuffle your library. If you choose any targets and they all become illegal targets, the ability won't resolve and you won't shuffle your library.