Tatterkite is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Flying This creature can't have counters put on it.
Complete guide
Tatterkite is a unique artifact creature that serves as a specialized defensive flyer. Its primary strength lies in its immunity to all forms of counters, making it a persistent threat that ignores many common debuffs and resource-draining mechanics.
Unchangeable Form
The core of Tatterkite is its ability to remain exactly as it is. While it has Flying for evasion, its static ability prevents any kind of counter from being placed on it. This applies to positive counters like +1/+1 counters, negative counters like -1/-1 counters, and even utility counters like shield or keyword counters.
How It Resolves Step by Step
When an effect attempts to place a counter on Tatterkite, the game check occurs immediately. First, the spell or ability resolves as normal for all other targets. Second, the portion of the effect specifically targeting or affecting Tatterkite simply fails to happen. The spell or ability itself is not countered; it just finishes resolving without modifying Tatterkite's state.
Common Mistakes
A frequent misunderstanding involves damage from sources with Wither or Infect. If Tatterkite is dealt damage by these sources, the damage is not technically 'prevented,' but since the result of that damage would be putting -1/-1 counters on it, the damage has no effect. Additionally, players must remember that they cannot pay costs that require putting a counter on Tatterkite, such as certain 'additional cost' spells, because that cost is impossible to fulfill.
When to Play It
Tatterkite is most effective in environments where your opponents rely on -1/-1 counters for removal or where global effects would normally weaken your board. It also functions as a reliable, if modest, aerial attacker that remains unaffected by detrimental zone effects that use counters.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf you control Tatterkite and play Solemn Simulacrum, you can search for a land to ramp your mana. While Solemn Simulacrum provides utility upon entering and dying, Tatterkite remains on the battlefield as a consistent 2/1 flyer that cannot be weakened by enemy 'Enfeeble' style counter effects, providing a steady clock while you deploy your other artifact threats.
Roaming ThroneWhen Roaming Throne enters the battlefield, you can choose 'Scarecrow' as the creature type. Because Tatterkite is a Scarecrow, any triggered abilities it might gain from other cards would trigger an additional time. While Tatterkite itself has static abilities and keyword abilities, the Throne ensures that if Tatterkite were granted a triggered ability that attempted to place a counter, the trigger would happen twice, though both would result in zero counters being placed.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Tatterkite
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Tatterkite's ability prevents any kind of counter from being placed on it, not just -1/-1 counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
A spell or ability whose effect would put a counter on Tatterkite simply doesn't affect it. The spell or ability isn't countered. If it would put counters on any other creatures, it continues to do so.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If Tatterkite is dealt damage by a creature with wither, that damage has no effect. It's not prevented; it just doesn't do anything. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will still trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You can't pay a cost that includes putting a counter on Tatterkite. For example, if Tatterkite is the only creature you control, you can't cast Scarscale Ritual because you can't pay the additional cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If Tatterkite would enter with counters on it, it enters but doesn't have those counters. For example, if an effect grants it persist and then it's destroyed, it returns to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Ashnod's Altar + Tatterkite
- 1Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Tatterkite, adding
. - 2When Tatterkite dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it to the battlefield from your graveyard with zero +1/+1 counters due to its ability.
- 3Repeat.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Phyrexian Altar + Tatterkite
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Tatterkite, adding one mana of any color.
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it to the battlefield from your graveyard with zero +1/+1 counters due to its ability.
- 3Repeat.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Altar of Dementia + Tatterkite
- 1Activate Altar of Dementia by sacrificing Tatterkite.
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it to the battlefield from your graveyard with zero +1/+1 counters due to its ability.
- 3Resolve the Altar of Dementia ability from step 1, causing target player to mill cards equal to Tatterkite's power.
- 4Repeat.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Blasting Station + Tatterkite
- 1Activate Blasting Station by tapping it and sacrificing Tatterkite.
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it to the battlefield from your graveyard with zero +1/+1 counters due to its ability.
- 3When Tatterkite enters the battlefield, Blasting Station triggers, untapping Blasting Station.
- 4Resolve the Blasting Station ability from step 1, dealing 1 damage to any target.
- 5Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Tatterkite + Viscera Seer
- 1Activate Viscera Seer by sacrificing Tatterkite
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it due to its static effect.
- 3Resolve the Viscera Seer ability.
- 4Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Tatterkite + Ashnod's Altar
- 1Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Tatterkite
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it due to its static effect.
- 3Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Tatterkite + Carrion Feeder
- 1Activate Carrion Feeder by sacrificing Tatterkite
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it due to its static effect.
- 3Resolve the Carrion Feeder ability.
- 4Repeat.
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight + Tatterkite + Umbral Collar Zealot
- 1Activate Umbral Collar Zealot by sacrificing Tatterkite
- 2When Tatterkite dies, its persist ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it due to its static effect.
- 3Resolve the Umbral Collar Zealot ability.
- 4Repeat.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Tatterkite
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.