Ice Over MTG Card


Ice Over strategically disrupts gameplay, potentially giving a slight edge by temporarily removing opponent threats. Despite its instant speed appeal, the card’s mana specificity restricts its inclusion to particularly blue mana-based decks. Its control utility across various match-ups makes Ice Over a versatile addition to tackle creature-heavy metas.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

Enchant artifact or creature Enchanted permanent doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.

"Slow the Consulate with whatever you've got!" —Jasi Ganin, master siphoner


Cards like Ice Over

Ice Over is a card that strategically immobilizes creatures in MTG, much like other control spells designed to delay opponent momentum. Like Ice Over, Claustrophobia completely locks down a targeted creature and prevents it from untapping during its controller’s untap step. However, unlike Ice Over, which can be cast on creatures that aren’t tapped, Claustrophobia requires its target to be untapped upon casting, offering a slightly different timing window for players.

Analogous to Ice Over in function is Encrust, which also prevents creatures from untapping and has the added ability to disable artifacts as well. It’s a subtle yet noticeable distinction that can be crucial in games where artifacts play a key role. On the other hand, Sleep Paralysis also serves a similar purpose but goes a step further by entering the battlefield and tapping the creature it enchants. This added effect can be a significant advantage, providing immediate impact on the board state.

Evaluating these options, Ice Over holds its ground for its versatility and the simple efficiency in its mana cost. For players seeking to lock down crucial targets without delay, Ice Over proves to be an adept choice in the realm of blue control enchantments.

Claustrophobia - MTG Card versions
Encrust - MTG Card versions
Sleep Paralysis - MTG Card versions
Claustrophobia - MTG Card versions
Encrust - MTG Card versions
Sleep Paralysis - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ice Over by color, type and mana cost

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Power Leak - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Terrain - MTG Card versions
Creature Bond - MTG Card versions
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Lifetap - MTG Card versions
Power Artifact - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions
Venarian Gold - MTG Card versions
Homarid Spawning Bed - MTG Card versions
Soar - MTG Card versions
Flooded Shoreline - MTG Card versions
Dance of Many - MTG Card versions
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Legacy's Allure - MTG Card versions
Chill - MTG Card versions
Buoyancy - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Ice Over doesn’t directly provide card advantage in the traditional sense of drawing cards, it disrupts your opponent’s strategy by neutralizing a threat. Effectively, this can be seen as a temporary card advantage by effectively reducing the number of usable cards your opponent has in play.

Resource Acceleration: Ice Over may not accelerate your resources, but it can indirectly slow down an opponent’s aggressive start or stall an evolved board, giving you more time to access your resources and better manage the pace of the game.

Instant Speed: Ice Over’s magic encapsulates its potential at instant speed. This feature is subtly powerful, as it means you can bide your time and choose the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to freeze their asset. Whether it’s right before combat or after they’ve declared attackers, Ice Over can shift the tide of battle swiftly and unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ice Over doesn’t necessitate discarding cards, providing a slight edge in conserving hand resources when in play.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires two blue mana, making it a somewhat restrictive choice for decks that aren’t blue-focused or that struggle to generate sufficient blue mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its ability to freeze a creature or vehicle, some players may find the cost of two mana a bit steep, especially when there are alternative control spells that may offer more flexibility or additional effects for a similar or lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ice Over is a flexible control card capable of neutralizing threats across a variety of match-ups. Whether it’s stopping an aggressive creature in its tracks or rendering an opponent’s key artifact useless, this enchantment offers strategic options in multiple scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that capitalize on tap and freeze mechanics. It can pair well with other cards that punish tapped creatures or benefit from the state of opponent’s creatures being altered, potentially unlocking some icy synergies.

Meta-Relevance: With creatures dominating many game formats, having a cost-effective way to stop them can be crucial. Ice Over holds its ground by controlling the board and maintaining tempo in metas where keeping opponent’s threats at bay can spell the difference between victory and defeat.


How to beat Ice Over

Ice Over, although a pesky card that can freeze out an opponent’s assets, is not without its weaknesses in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This card functions by locking down a target artifact or creature, preventing it from untapping during its controller’s untap phase. However, its control is not absolute. Players can circumvent Ice Over’s chilly grip by utilizing removal spells such as Disenchant to eradicate the aura or creature abilities like hexproof or indestructible to prevent it from sticking in the first place. Cards with activated abilities that don’t require tapping also remain unaffected, allowing savvy players to skirt its constraints.

Another strategy is to pivot the game plan towards spells and abilities that don’t rely heavily on the board state. This could mean leveraging direct damage spells, taking the fight to the opponent’s life total instead of the battlefield. Finally, simply playing around the card by not overcommitting one’s most valuable permanents – and keeping some mana open for instant-speed interaction – will go a long way to mitigating the impact of Ice Over and maintaining the upper hand in the duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ice Over MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Kaladesh Remastered, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Ice Over and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ice Over Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 352015NormalBlackSidharth Chaturvedi
22020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 522015NormalBlackSidharth Chaturvedi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ice Over has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ice Over card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-02-09 Ice Over may target and may enchant an untapped creature.