Plate Spinning

Plate Spinning Lite Guide

Unfinity Mythic
Mana Cost: {3}{U}{U}
Type: Enchantment
Plate Spinning Text:
Whenever you cast a spell, copy it and you may choose new targets for the copy. Then balance a card from outside the game on one of your fingertips. When that card falls or touches another card, sacrifice this enchantment.
Flavor:
For extra style points, spin them.
Artist: Raluca Marinescu
Collector Number: 342
Release Date: 2022-10-07
Art crop
Cards Mentioned in This Review
These cards are referenced in the strategy guide below

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-30
TL;DR Summary

Plate Spinning

This enchantment is a versatile tool for casting multiple copies of spells. When you cast a spell, Plate Spinning creates a copy with the option to choose new targets. This can be particularly useful in conjunction with cards like Twinning Charm, which allows for copying and replacing effects.

In Commander decks, Plate Spinning's ability to create additional copies can help to:

  • Exponentially increase damage output by copying spells like Lightning Bolt or Fireball
  • Create complex combos involving multiple cards, such as with Maelstrom Pulse or Thirst for Knowledge

Keep in mind that the enchantment sacrifices itself when a card from outside the game touches another card. This means you'll need to balance cards carefully and have a plan to replace Plate Spinning if needed.

In general, Plate Spinning's effects make it well-suited for formats where casting multiple copies of spells is beneficial, such as Commander or casual games with friends.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Plate Spinning

This enchantment is a game-changer in Commander, providing an incredible amount of card advantage through its ability to copy spells. Whenever you cast a spell, Plate Spinning copies it and allows you to choose new targets for the copy.

How it Works

  • When you cast a spell with Plate Spinning on the battlefield, it will create a copy of that spell.
  • You can then choose new targets for the copied spell, allowing you to adapt your strategy mid-game.
  • The original spell and its copy are treated independently, so you can apply effects like Counterspell or Abrupt Decay without affecting each other.

Unique Interactions

  • One of the most interesting aspects of Plate Spinning is how it interacts with cards that have triggered abilities. For example, if you use Liliana's Mastery to cast a spell and trigger its ability, Plate Spinning will create a copy of Liliana's Mastery as well.
  • This enchantment also has an unusual interaction with Mox Opal. Since Mox Opal can generate mana during the main phase, it can be used to pay for the initial casting cost of Plate Spinning. However, because Plate Spinning has a high CMC, you'll need a large amount of mana to cast it initially.
  • Another notable interaction is with Trostani's Summoner. This creature can give you an additional turn at the beginning of your next upkeep step. If you use this ability and then create a copy of a spell with Plate Spinning on that turn, you'll gain two turns worth of card advantage.

Notable Edge Cases

  • Plate Spinning has no effects if you use it to copy a Sorcery or an instant with no targets (like Counterspell). In these cases, the copied spell will simply have no effect.
  • The enchantment's ability to balance a card from outside the game on one of your fingertips is mostly just a gimmick. However, it does provide a unique interaction with cards that care about being "touched" or "flicked."
Strategic Applications

Plate Spinning is a game-changing enchantment that synergizes perfectly with card draw and copying effects. Its unique ability to copy spells with new targets creates opportunities for exponential damage or value generation.

One common archetype it fits into is the Azorius control deck, where it pairs well with cards like Counterspell and Spell Pierce. By copying these counterspells, you can disrupt your opponent's plans while maintaining a strong defense. Additionally, Plate Spinning works in tandem with card draw engines such as Praetors Counsel or Opt, allowing for recursive spellcasting and increased pressure on the board.

Its role on the battlefield is to create an unpredictable and dynamic environment that keeps opponents guessing. The ability to sacrifice Plate Spinning when a card falls or touches another card adds an element of risk-reward, as you must balance this delicate act while maintaining control over the board.

Plate Spinning benefits decks with high card draw rates and copying effects, making it an excellent addition to commander builds centered around Zurgo Bellstriker or Atraxa, Praetors Muse. When paired with cards like Eternal Witness or Liliana, Death's Majesty, Plate Spinning enables recursive lifegain and card advantage.

In game states where you have access to multiple sources of card draw, Plate Spinning can create a "copy-storm" effect, generating an exponential amount of value through copied spells.

Advanced Techniques

Synergies with Control and Combo

Plate Spinning excels in control-oriented decks, particularly those running a high number of counterspells or other forms of removal. By copying spells with new targets, the card becomes an excellent enabler for cards like Counterspell or Doom Blade. When combined with a card that creates tokens, such as Liliana's Mastery, Plate Spinning can generate an exponential increase in damage potential.

Interaction with Cards That Produce Value on Sacrifice

Cards like Scourglass and Gisela, the Broken Blade produce value when sacrificed. By combining these cards with Plate Spinning, you can create a sacrifice engine that fuels your combo or control strategy. When the card balanced on your fingertip falls or touches another card, sacrificing Plate Spinning allows you to generate additional value.

Potential in Combo Decks

In combo decks focused on creatures and artifact recursion, Plate Spinning offers a unique way to increase the number of copies of a particular creature or spell. For example, pairing it with Zuran Orb or Memnarch can allow for an infinite loop of copying spells and creatures.

Considerations and Trade-Offs

While Plate Spinning's ability to copy spells is enticing, its cost of 5 mana and the necessity to balance a card on your fingertip may limit its inclusion in certain decks. However, when paired with cards that create tokens or produce value on sacrifice, it becomes a powerful tool for generating an advantage.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes with Plate Spinning

When playing Plate Spinning, players often make mistakes due to a misunderstanding of its interaction with other cards or the timing of its effects. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

  • Misjudging when to sacrifice Plate Spinning: The enchantment has two key conditions that trigger its sacrifice: when a card from outside the game touches another card, or when it falls from your fingertip. Players often wait too long, hoping to get more value out of the enchantment. However, this can lead to them sacrificing it unnecessarily and missing out on potential copies of spells.
  • Underestimating the importance of card balance: The ability to balance a card from outside the game on one of your fingertips is often overlooked. This effect allows players to make Plate Spinning more difficult to sacrifice, giving them more time to copy spells and create additional threats.
  • Not accounting for permanents in play: Players sometimes forget that plates or other objects in play can interact with the card on their fingertip, causing it to fall and triggering the enchantment's sacrifice. This can be especially true when playing against opponents who use cards like Trostani's Invitation or Chromatic Lantern, which create additional permanents.
  • Failing to consider counter-magic: Opponents may use counterspells like Counterspell or Disdainful Stroke to neutralize the copied spells created by Plate Spinning. Players should be prepared for this and adjust their strategy accordingly.
  • Overreliance on a single card type: Plate Spinning is most effective when combined with cards that generate multiple copies of spells, such as Copy Enchantment or Phantasmal Conjuror. Players often rely too heavily on these cards, neglecting other strategies and combinations.

To avoid these mistakes, players should carefully consider the interplay between Plate Spinning and their deck's other cards, as well as the metagame they are playing against.

Conclusion

Overall Value in Commander Decks

Plate Spinning is an enchantment that offers a unique and powerful tool for casting multiple copies of spells. Its ability to copy spells with new targets creates opportunities for exponential damage or value generation, making it well-suited for formats where casting multiple copies of spells is beneficial.

In Commander decks, Plate Spinning excels when paired with cards that generate multiple copies of spells, such as Copy Enchantment or Phantasmal Conjuror. It also works in tandem with card draw engines like Praetors Counsel or Opt, allowing for recursive spellcasting and increased pressure on the board.

However, its high CMC and the necessity to balance a card on your fingertip may limit its inclusion in certain decks. To maximize its value, players should carefully consider the interplay between Plate Spinning and their deck's other cards, as well as the metagame they are playing against.

Key Considerations

  • Plate Spinning is most effective when combined with cards that generate multiple copies of spells.
  • Its ability to copy spells with new targets creates opportunities for exponential damage or value generation.
  • The enchantment's sacrifice condition can be unpredictable and may require careful planning to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.
  • Players should be prepared for opponents using counterspells like Counterspell or Disdainful Stroke to neutralize the copied spells created by Plate Spinning.

Recommended Archetypes

Plate Spinning is particularly well-suited for Azorius control decks, where it pairs well with cards like Counterspell and Spell Pierce. It also works in tandem with card draw engines like Praetors Counsel or Opt, allowing for recursive spellcasting and increased pressure on the board.

In game states where you have access to multiple sources of card draw, Plate Spinning can create a "copy-storm" effect, generating an exponential amount of value through copied spells.

Final Evaluation

Overall, Plate Spinning is a versatile tool that offers a unique and powerful way to generate value in Commander decks. Its ability to copy spells with new targets creates opportunities for exponential damage or value generation, making it well-suited for formats where casting multiple copies of spells is beneficial.

While its high CMC and the necessity to balance a card on your fingertip may limit its inclusion in certain decks, Plate Spinning's potential for creating complex combos and generating an advantage makes it an excellent addition to many Commander builds.