Puppet's Verdict MTG Card


Potentially clears multiple creatures, gaining you considerable board advantage in one fell swoop. Instant speed play allows reactive strategy, disrupting opponents’ actions, and preserving your assets. While it adds uncertainty, strategic use can decimate creature-heavy decks, changing the game’s pace.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Flip a coin. If you win the flip, destroy all creatures with power 2 or less. If you lose the flip, destroy all creatures with power 3 or greater.

"What was heads again?" —Mercadian magistrate


Cards like Puppet's Verdict

Puppet’s Verdict brings a unique twist to the realm of chance-based cards in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to cards like Risky Move, which also introduces an element of randomness, Puppet’s Verdict stands out by potentially affecting all creatures on the battlefield. Risky Move, albeit a card that also deals with uncertainty, specifically targets single creatures and shifts control among players – a narrower scope compared to the sweeping potential impact of Puppet’s Verdict.

Moving to another similar mechanic, we have the card Grip of Chaos. This enchantment ensures that each spell or ability with a single target requires its target to be chosen at random. While this enchantment brings a persistent unpredictability to the game, Puppet’s Verdict’s influence is a one-time event, possibly causing an instant and dramatic shift in the state of the board that players must navigate around.

In evaluating these cards side by side, Puppet’s Verdict often emerges as a game-changer, capable of turning the tides in a player’s favor with the right dash of luck. Its ability to potentially clear the board or leave the board untouched, all with the toss of a coin, solidifies its place as a distinct and thrilling option among MTG’s chaos-themed cards.

Risky Move - MTG Card versions
Grip of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Risky Move - MTG Card versions
Grip of Chaos - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Puppet's Verdict by color, type and mana cost

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Solfatara - MTG Card versions
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Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Turf Wound - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Smash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Chaos Wrap - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Puncture Blast - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Puppet’s Verdict can alter the board state significantly, potentially removing multiple creatures and leaving you with an upper hand in terms of firepower on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Puppet’s Verdict itself does not directly accelerate resources, it has the potential to save mana in the long run by dealing with several threats at once, which might otherwise require multiple cards to address.

Instant Speed: The fact that Puppet’s Verdict can be played at instant speed gives you the versatility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, potentially disrupting their strategy or saving your own creatures from unfavorable combat situations.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Puppet’s Verdict, the necessity to discard a card can be a significant downside, especially when you’re already low on hand assets. Strategic planning becomes crucial as missteps could deplete your choices and leave you vulnerable.

Specific Mana Cost: Puppet’s Verdict comes with a requirement for red mana. This can sometimes pigeonhole players into fitting it into a deck that might not synergize with the card’s chaotic nature, thereby limiting its overall potential in the broader spectrum of game styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed for Puppet’s Verdict is a bit steep compared to other options available within the game. This can delay your game plan and give your opponent more time to establish their board or counter your strategies.


Reasons to Include Puppet’s Verdict in Your Collection

Versatility: Puppet’s Verdict is a card that can seamlessly fit into myriad deck builds. Its ability to potentially clear the board of creatures is invaluable in games where maintaining board control is key to victory.

Combo Potential: The luck element of Puppet’s Verdict can synergize well with decks that manipulate the top of the library or benefit from the chaos it creates. It can be a game-changer when paired with cards that allow you to view or change the top card of your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy decks, Puppet’s Verdict has the potential to swing games massively in your favor. As an instant, it keeps opponents on their toes, knowing that at any moment, a well-timed Puppet’s Verdict could dismantle their battlefield presence.


How to beat

The Puppet’s Verdict card in MTG presents a unique challenge due to its random effect that can swing the game. Its power lies in deciding the fate of creatures by a coin flip, which could either be a massive clear or a total miss. Tackling this unpredictability requires a strategy that minimizes reliance on creature-heavy board states. Cards that offer hexproof or shroud can protect key creatures from being randomly destroyed. Similarly, playing cards that can quickly repopulate the board or ones with indestructible traits can also mitigate the risk of losing your entire line-up.

Adopting a less creature-centric deck and focusing on spells, planeswalkers, or alternative win conditions can diminish the impact of Puppet’s Verdict. Taking advantage of the opportunity window post-coin flip to solidify your board or recover lost resources is another viable strategy. It’s essential to plan, anticipate, and adjust to the chaotic nature of Puppet’s Verdict. By employing these tactics, you increase your odds of overcoming the potential upheaval Puppet’s Verdict brings to the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Puppet's Verdict MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques 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 Puppet's Verdict and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Puppet's Verdict Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 1999-10-04. Illustrated by Edward P. Beard, Jr..

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 2081997NormalBlackEdward P. Beard, Jr.
22020-09-26The ListPLST MMQ-2081997NormalBlackEdward P. Beard, Jr.

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Puppet's Verdict has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal