Magic: The Gathering

Thumbscrews

Tempest 312 • rare

Set: Tempest
Collector number: 312
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 2 generic mana
Type: Artifact
Colors: Colorless
Artist: Charles Gillespie
Market price: $0.34

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Market

What it's worth

$0.34market price via TCGplayer · Aug 19, 2026$0.33 – $0.42 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Thumbscrews; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a rare artifact from the Tempest set, Thumbscrews represents a specialized tool for players looking to manipulate the board through its unique mechanical presence. Its status as a rare card makes it a sought-after piece for those curating a focused collection of historic artifacts.

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Card face

What it does

At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have five or more cards in hand, this artifact deals 1 damage to target opponent or planeswalker.

"We will start small, I think."— Volrath

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Provenance

Where it came from

Thumbscrews was released in October 1997 as part of the Tempest expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The set was designed by Mike Elliott and was notable for introducing several new mechanics, including the 'buyback' ability, while emphasizing the game's shift toward more complex artifact interactions. The card itself was created during a period when the game designers were actively experimenting with cards that punished opponents for specific play patterns, such as holding cards in hand.

The artwork was commissioned from illustrator Charles Gillespie, who employed a dark, visceral style typical of the gothic horror aesthetic prevalent in the Tempest setting. His depiction of the titular torture device was intended to convey a sense of dread and physical threat, aligning with the card's function as a recurring damage-dealing artifact. Upon its release, the card was viewed primarily as a niche inclusion for casual decks, though its gruesome imagery ensured it remained a memorable piece of the set's thematic lore.

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Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Thumbscrews

Thumbscrews is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Tempest 312 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Can I track my own copy of Thumbscrews?

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Where does the Thumbscrews catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Thumbscrews is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.