Pithing Needle
{1}Artifact
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Create a free account to add this card to a deck or collection — log in if you have one.
As this artifact enters, choose a card name.
Activated abilities of sources with the chosen name can't be activated unless they're mana abilities.
Official rulings
- If you name a card that has both a mana ability and another activated ability, the mana ability can be activated but the other ability can't be activated. (2005-06-01)
- You can name any card, even if that card doesn't normally have an activated ability. You can't name a token unless that token has the same name as a card. (2005-06-01)
- Pithing Needle affects cards regardless of what zone they're in. This includes cards in hand, cards in the graveyard, and exiled cards. For example, a player can't cycle Eternal Dragon or return an Eternal Dragon from their graveyard to hand if Pithing Needle naming Eternal Dragon is on the battlefield. (2005-06-01)
- Once Pithing Needle has left the battlefield, activated abilities of sources with the chosen name can be activated again. (2009-10-01)
- Activated abilities include a colon and are written in the form "[cost]: [effect]." Triggered abilities and static abilities of the named card work normally. (2012-10-01)
Printings & prices
Every set Pithing Needle has been printed in, with the art, the finishes and the market price of each — the headline price above is the cheapest of these.
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