Perplexing Test MTG Card


Grants card advantage by resetting board state, favoring control-oriented decks against token-heavy opponents. Instant speed allows for flexible and strategic play, interrupting opponents’ moves for a tactical edge. Demands careful mana base planning and may deplete hand resources but offers game-swinging potential.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose one — • Return all creature tokens to their owners' hands. • Return all nontoken creatures to their owners' hands.


Cards like Perplexing Test

Perplexing Test offers a unique twist in the realm of creature control in Magic: The Gathering. It can be compared to spells like Evacuation which also allows for a mass bounce of creatures. What sets Perplexing Test apart is its nuanced condition, permitting players to selectively target types of creatures, specifically tokens or non-token creatures. Evacuation, in contrast, returns all creatures to their owners’ hands without discrimination.

Cyclonic Rift is another parallel card, with an overload option that acts as a one-sided board wipe, truly disrupting opponents while leaving your own board intact. Although not as universal as Cyclonic Rift’s impact, Perplexing Test excels in situations where tokens are overly abundant or non-tokens pose an imminent threat. Finally, there’s Wash Out, which can target all nonland permanents of a chosen color, presenting another selective bouncing approach. While not as broad in its effect as Perplexing Test, Wash Out can be devastating against monocolored decks.

In essence, while considering versatility and the ability to pivot a game, Perplexing Test stands out as a clever and potentially game-swinging card amongst its peers in Magic: The Gathering for players who favor tactical manoeuvres over brute force.

Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Perplexing Test by color, type and mana cost

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Desertion - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Sunder - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Spin into Myth - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Mist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Perplexing Test excels at reshuffling the board dynamics to your advantage by returning creatures to their owners’ hands. This reset can result in substantial card advantage, especially when you are facing decks that rely on tokens or present a crowded battlefield. Control the pace and regain footing by neutralizing multiple threats with a single cast.

Resource Acceleration: This unique Blue card gives you the tactical edge. Although it doesn’t directly ramp up your resources, the advantage generated by removing numerous creatures can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By hindering your opponents’ board development, you can stretch your mana further, as they’ll need to recommit resources to rebuild their presence on the field.

Instant Speed: Perplexing Test operates at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponents’ actions on their turn. Hold back and bide your time, only unleashing this trick when it can cause maximum disruption. This speed is particularly valuable when dealing with surprise plays during combat or end-of-turn scenarios, making it a must-consider for decks that thrive in a reactive play style.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Perplexing Test requires players to discard a card, which can deplete your hand, reducing your strategic options and leaving you potentially vulnerable to your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both blue and generic mana, necessitating a dedicated mana base that can restrict its inclusion to specific blue-centric decks or those running sufficient mana-fixing capabilities to accommodate its casting cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost typically higher than other bounce spells in the same category, it can be less efficient when trying to maintain tempo or when competing against decks capable of playing more impactful cards at a similar cost point.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Perplexing Test card is a unique addition suitable for a range of blue decks focused on controlling the board. It allows players to bounce creatures en masse, providing a reset button against opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: This powerful spell can work wonders in combination with decks that exploit creatures leaving the battlefield or with cards that capitalize on opponents’ empty boards.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-heavy decks often dominate gameplay, Perplexing Test can act as a silver bullet, disrupting opponents’ meticulously set up boards and granting you a significant tempo advantage in the game.


How to beat

Perplexing Test is a challenging card to face in Magic: The Gathering because of its potential to disrupt well-established board states, especially in formats where creature tokens proliferate. At its core, the card forces opponents to choose between keeping their token creatures or non-token creatures, which can be a major game-changer and is certainly tricky to work around.

To effectively counteract Perplexing Test, the key is flexibility and redundancy in your strategy. Maintaining a balance of token generators and impactful non-token creatures ensures that no matter the choice forced by Perplexing Test, you can recover. Diversifying the types of permanents—such as enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers—that contribute to your board presence can mitigate the impact Perplexing Test might have. Another strategy is to hold onto instant-speed removal or counterspells when you suspect your opponent has Perplexing Test in hand, as removing key creatures in response or countering the spell outright can leave your opponent’s plans in disarray.

In conclusion, while Perplexing Test poses a serious challenge to creature-based strategies, players can circumvent its effects through strategic deck building and by playing cautiously, keeping up the mana and the necessary answers to navigate around this perplexing conundrum.


BurnMana Recommendations

Perplexing Test is a spell that can turn the tides of any match, making it a compelling pick for your arsenal. Its ability to selectively disrupt opponent strategies provides a tactical edge worthy of any MTG collection. Whether you’re up against armies of tokens or daunting non-token creatures, this card can redefine the battlefield in your favor. It’s especially effective in blue-based control decks that value flexibility and surprise in their tactics. Interested in cultivating control and outmaneuvering your opponents? Immerse yourself in the game’s deeper strategies and learn the optimal ways to wield this powerful spell to ensure your next match is not just a game, but a showcase of skillful play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Perplexing Test MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2021, 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 Perplexing Test and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Perplexing Test Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Fariba Khamseh.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900482015NormalBlackFariba Khamseh
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3572015NormalBlackFariba Khamseh
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 302015NormalBlackFariba Khamseh
42023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2292015NormalBlackFariba Khamseh
52023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 1022015NormalBlackFariba Khamseh

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Perplexing Test has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 A token that is returned to its owner's hand ceases to exist as a state-based action the next time a player would receive priority.