Hidden Strings
Hidden Strings Price Summary
As of Aug 8, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Hidden Strings is $0.38 (Q06 #5), and the most expensive is $47.52 (DGM #12, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $0.38, down 2.6% over 7 days, up 40.7% over 30 days, up 8.6% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $0.49 (2026).
Hidden Strings Printings & Prices
Hidden Strings has 2 tracked printings across 2 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes.
Sell Hidden Strings: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $35.00 cash for DGM #12 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 50% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Kingdom | DGM #12 | Foil | $35.00 | $69.99 | 50% |
| CoolStuffInc | DGM #12 | Foil | $18.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | Q06 #5 | Nonfoil | $0.24 | $0.79 | 70% |
| Card Kingdom | DGM #12 | Nonfoil | $0.09 | $0.69 | 87% |
| CoolStuffInc | DGM #12 | Nonfoil | $0.02 | — | — |
Hidden Strings Rules Text & Legality
You may tap or untap target permanent, then you may tap or untap another target permanent.
Cipher (Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control. Whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player, its controller may cast a copy of the encoded card without paying its mana cost.)
Hidden Strings is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Commander and Pauper, and not legal in Standard.
Hidden Strings Rulings
- Apr 15, 2013 If a creature with an encoded card deals combat damage to more than one player simultaneously (perhaps because some of the combat damage was redirected), the triggered ability will trigger once for each player it deals combat damage to. Each ability will create a copy of the exiled card and allow you to cast it.
- Apr 15, 2013 If another player gains control of the creature, that player will control the triggered ability. That player will create a copy of the encoded card and may cast it.
- Apr 15, 2013 If the creature leaves the battlefield, the exiled card will no longer be encoded on any creature. It will stay exiled.
- Apr 15, 2013 If the spell with cipher doesn’t resolve, none of its effects will happen, including cipher. The card will go to its owner’s graveyard and won’t be encoded on a creature.
- Apr 15, 2013 If you choose not to cast the copy, or you can’t cast it (perhaps because there are no legal targets available), the copy will cease to exist the next time state-based actions are performed. You won’t get a chance to cast the copy at a later time.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Hidden Strings has been reprinted 3 times.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q06 #5 | 2021-10-15 | Common | Standard |
| DGM #12 | 2013-05-03 | Common | Standard |
| DGM #12 | 2013-05-03 | Common | Standard |
Q06 #5 
DGM #12 Hidden Strings in Commander
Hidden Strings is the #4,268 most-played card on EDHREC, up 98 places over the last 30 days.
Hidden Strings FAQ
How much is Hidden Strings worth?
Hidden Strings is worth about $0.38 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 8, 2026. Prices range from $0.38 to $47.52 across 2 tracked printings.
Is Hidden Strings legal in Commander?
Yes — Hidden Strings is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy and Pauper.
Has Hidden Strings been reprinted?
Yes — Hidden Strings has been reprinted 3 times, with 2 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Hidden Strings cheap?
Hidden Strings trades at about $0.38 — 3 reprints keep supply plentiful.