What does the Static Orb card do in Magic: The Gathering?

The Static Orb restricts gameplay by preventing players from untapping more than two permanents during their untap steps, provided the Orb remains untapped. This creates a significant slowdown in resource generation for all participants in the game.

Why is the Tempest set important for Magic: The Gathering collectors?

It is highly regarded for establishing key mechanics and aesthetic standards that influenced subsequent sets in the game's early history.

Is Static Orb considered a valuable card for vintage collections?

Collectors often seek it out to complete set collections or to own a piece of pivotal game design history.

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Reference artwork · details may differ from this copy

About This Card

The 1997 Magic: The Gathering Tempest expansion featuring Static Orb (#310), a highly sought-after artifact that reshaped early competitive play.

Static Orb

1997 • Magic: The Gathering • Tempest

1997 Magic: The Gathering Tempest

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Market Value

Raw/Ungraded Market: $10.47

Updated 7 days ago

Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)Last Updated Oct 11, 2026Check Price Guide

Market & Price History

Condition	Value	Source	Trend	Price Details
	$10.47Oct 11, 2026	Guide Estimate	-3.7%
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference) Estimate: $10.47, based on Guide Estimate. Source date not availableCaptured Oct 11, 2026 Guide Estimate: $10.47. Evidence date not available. Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable. Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $10.47 to $10.87 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 20, 2026 and Oct 11, 2026: -3.7%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.Recorded Oct 11, 2026

$10.47Oct 11, 2026
Source
Guide Estimate
Trend
-3.7%
Price Details
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)
Estimate: $10.47, based on Guide Estimate.
Source date not availableCaptured Oct 11, 2026
Guide Estimate: $10.47. Evidence date not available.
Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable.
Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $10.47 to $10.87 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 20, 2026 and Oct 11, 2026: -3.7%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.Recorded Oct 11, 2026

30-day Price History

Raw / Ungraded

TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Oct 11, 2026

Each point is the last stored observation that day for this printing, condition, grader, autograph status and source. Gaps mean no observation; guide estimates and asking prices are not completed sales.

Product Overview

Description

Static Orb, identified as card number 310 in the Tempest set, stands as a defining artifact from Magic: The Gathering's 1997 release. Designed by Dermot Power, this rare card fundamentally altered the tempo of early games by restricting how many permanents players could untap during their respective turns. This mechanical restriction created a unique strategic dynamic that collectors and players continue to analyze decades later. For enthusiasts of vintage trading cards, the Tempest expansion remains a cornerstone of the game's history. Static Orb is frequently cited by historians and veteran players as one of the most influential cards from this era, offering a tangible connection to the foundational rules that shaped competitive Magic. Its enduring legacy makes it a focal point for those studying the evolution of TCG design and strategy. Whether you are building a comprehensive Tempest collection or curating a library of pivotal artifacts, this card offers significant historical weight.

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