Vexing Puzzlebox 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
Whenever you roll one or more dice, put a number of charge counters on this artifact equal to the result.: Add one mana of any color. Roll a d20.
Complete guide
Vexing Puzzlebox is a versatile mana rock that rewards you for embracing the chaos of the dice. Not only does it help fix your mana, but it slowly builds up toward a massive payoff that can pull any artifact directly from your library. Whether you are building a dedicated dice-rolling deck or just need a reliable source of mana, this artifact offers an explosive late-game threat.
Accumulating Charge Counters
The primary mechanic of Vexing Puzzlebox is its ability to gain charge counters whenever you roll one or more dice. The number of counters added equals the result of the roll. If an effect allows you to roll multiple dice and keep the highest, or adds a modifier to your roll, the number of counters added is based on that final modified result. Note that in Planechase, the planar die does not have a numerical result and will not trigger this ability.
A Unique Mana Ability
The second ability of Vexing Puzzlebox is quite special: it is a mana ability that involves rolling a d20. Because it is a mana ability, it does not use the stack and cannot be responded to by opponents. As soon as you tap it, you add one mana of any color and roll the die. This roll will then trigger the first ability, placing charge counters on the Puzzlebox immediately after the mana is added.
Cracking the Box
Once you have accumulated 100 or more charge counters, you can activate the final ability by tapping the artifact and removing the counters. This allows you to search your library for any artifact card and put it straight onto the battlefield. Since this doesn't cast the spell, it can't be countered by traditional spell-based countermagic, and the artifact enters the battlefield as the ability finishes resolving.
Interaction examples
You tap Vexing Puzzlebox for its second ability. You choose to add one Blue mana. You then roll a d20 and result in a 15. The first ability triggers, and you place 15 charge counters on Vexing Puzzlebox. You now have one Blue mana in your pool and 15 counters toward your goal.
Arcane SignetIf you need more mana than the Puzzlebox provides, you can use it to find other mana rocks. After accumulating 100 counters, you tap the Puzzlebox and remove the counters to search your library. You choose Arcane Signet and put it onto the battlefield. You then shuffle your library.
Swiftfoot BootsWhen your Vexing Puzzlebox reaches 100 counters, you may need to protect a key creature. You activate the search ability, removing the 100 counters. You search for Swiftfoot Boots and put them onto the battlefield. Now you have a piece of Equipment ready to provide hexproof and haste to your commander or another vital creature.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Vexing Puzzlebox
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect instructs you to roll one or more dice and add some number to that roll, the result is the total after adding that number.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect instructs you to roll more than one die and ignore one or more of them, the result is only what wasn't ignored.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
In a game of Planechase, the result of rolling the planar die is not a number and does not cause Vexing Puzzlebox's first ability to put charge counters on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Even though it includes rolling a die, Vexing Puzzlebox's second ability is a mana ability. It does not use the stack and cannot be responded to.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Vexing Puzzlebox
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.