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Whack, Doodle, or Buzz: Playful Combos from an Unstable Artifact
Magic: The Gathering has a long love affair with mind games, clever wording, and a little chaos to remind us that not every turn can be planned to the letter. Buzzing Whack-a-Doodle, a clever Unstable artifact from 2017, dives headfirst into that spirit 🧙♂️. It’s a colorless artifact with an entry that invites you and your opponent to secretly pick between two wacky options—Whack or Doodle—before those choices are revealed. If you and your opponent pick the same option, the artifact becomes that ability. If not, it becomes Buzz. The tension in the room is half the fun, and the other half is figuring out how to ride whichever path the reveal blesses you with ⚔️🎲.
Unstable’s flavor is all about playful unpredictability, and this card wears that badge proudly. The art by Mark A. Nelson carries the quirky energy of the set, a reminder that not every artifact needs to hum with grave significance—some simply wants to trade a little life total for a moment of hilarity. And yes, the card is uncommon in a set built around novelty, but don’t let the rarity fool you—this one has potential to generate real, goofy value in casual games and social media moments alike 💎🎨.
What the card actually does on a turn
“As this artifact enters, you and an opponent each secretly choose Whack or Doodle. Then those choices are revealed. If the choices match, this artifact has that ability. Otherwise, it has Buzz.”
- Whack — {T}: Target player loses 2 life. This is the classic poke, a straightforward nudge toward a finish line when you’re able to pair it with other burn or ping effects.
- Doodle — {T}: You gain 3 life. A surprisingly sturdy life swing in a game where even a little wiggle room can change late-game decisions.
- Buzz — {2}, {T}: Draw a card. The draw option turns the artifact into a compact, tempo-friendly cantrip that scales with the game’s pace and your willingness to invest two mana and a tap.
What makes this line really sing is the hidden information layer 🧙♂️. You and your opponent lock in your choices, bring them to light, and then watch the board swing according to the pivot point of the reveal. If you’re drafting or playing in a kitchen-table meta full of jokers, the social dynamic alone can turn a modest board into a memorable victory dance 🔥. It’s kind of like rolling a die with a built-in oath to the party—fun, dramatic, and a tiny bit reckless in the best way 🎲.
Creative combo lines you can build around
Here are some thought experiments and practical lines you can try in casual play or themed nights. They lean into the humor, but they also lean into real play patterns you can actually execute in a group that enjoys Unstable’s vibe 🧙♂️🔥.
- Line A: The social-engineered lifegain engine — Start by entering with Doodle as the chosen ability when you sense your opponent might align with Whack due to a looming life-total threshold. If you manage to match Doodle, you’ll net a reliable 3 life swing immediately, then follow up with additional life-gain or defensive plays to stabilize. The flavor is perfect for a deck that loves long, comfy games where you can laugh together as you climb back up, quietly besting aggro decks through sheer grin-power 💎🎨.
- Line B: Draw, then deploy — If Buzz is the revealed path, you get a cheap, efficient card draw. Pair this with a lean draw engine or a small suite of cantrips in a casual, multi-player setting to outpace slower decks. The combo is less about raw power and more about the old-school MTG thrill of digging for an answer when everyone else is busy debating the best way to flip a coin 🧙♂️🎲.
- Line C: Life swing meets targeted redirection — If your opponent is balancing a life-loss plan, and you align with Whack, you can nudge them down while you guard against a bigger threat. This is especially entertaining in formats that encourage parley and negotiation—imagine you whispering, “Let’s see if you’ll pick Whack or Doodle, friend” as your tempo subtly shifts in your favor ⚔️.
- Line D: Multi-player mischief — In a free-for-all setting, you can leverage the randomness of the choice reveal as a social highlight. The artifact’s state-based results can spark immediate, shared reactions—turning a single draw into a narrative moment as you watch the table cheer or groan at the reveal. It’s a great conversation piece for streams and local game nights 🎨🧙♂️.
Tips for integrating it into a deck
Because the card’s effect hinges on a hidden choice, it shines in decks that lean into interaction and social elements rather than brute force. Here are practical tips to keep it usable and fun:
- Playcraft, not powercraft. Use the artifact to spark laughter and dynamic play rather than chasing a strict combo termination. In Unstable, the joy comes from the ride as much as the result. Embrace the chaos, and your opponents will too 🧙♂️.
- Include draw redundancy. Since Buzz can be your fallback option, stacking a few extra draw effects helps you stay ahead if the first reveal doesn’t swing your way. Cards that cycle or filter help maintain momentum without breaking the playful mood 💎.
- Mind the pace. If the table is moving fast, Buzz’s draw can keep you in the game while the other players jockey for a finish. If you’re in a slow, joke-forward night, the Whack or Doodle outcomes can stretch the fun out longer than a traditional burn cycle 🔥.
As with any cross-promotional curiosity, this card shows its best side when you let the room breathe and the laughter take the wheel. If you’re collecting, you’ll appreciate the quirky rarity and the distinctive Unstable flavor; if you’re just looking for a memorable moment in a casual game, this artifact delivers a miniature story on every reveal 🌟.
For readers who enjoy turning collector’s items into real-world gear, don’t miss out on one of our featured finds outside the game. The Neon MagSafe Phone Case with Card Holder—an ideal companion for the MTG table—offers both style and practicality for your next mosaic of playmats, sleeves, and spare dice. It’s a playful nod to the same love of clever design that makes Unstable a fan favorite 🧩🔥.