Silk Net MTG Card


Silk Net can disrupt opponent strategies by exiling key flying creatures. Its low mana cost and instant speed allow for flexible play within matches. The card’s specificity and mana cost considerations influence deck integration.
Silk Net - Urza's Legacy
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released1999-02-15
Set symbol
Set nameUrza's Legacy
Set codeULG
Number112
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRob Alexander

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+1 and can block creatures with flying until end of turn.

Sometimes it's possible to pull a meal out of thin air.


Cards like Silk Net

Silk Net is a unique entry into the pool of creature control cards in Magic: The Gathering, sharing common ground with spells like Spidersilk Net in terms of their spider-themed flavor. Although Silk Net doesn’t equip creatures like Spidersilk Net, it compensates for this by offering an instant way to neutralize flying threats. The card can be a surprise play against opponents relying heavily on flying creatures, a strength not shared by its equipment counterpart.

Looking at other related cards, Silk Net can be compared to Crushing Canopy due to both targeting creatures with flying. However, Silk Net’s lower mana cost makes it easily accessible, although it lacks the versatility of Crushing Canopy, which can also target enchantments. Another analogue is Plummet, as both are low-cost spells designed to deal with flying creatures. While Plummet strictly destroys a flying creature, Silk Net applies a more strategic approach, tapping the creature without destroying it, which could be more beneficial in certain gameplay scenarios.

Ultimately, each card serves its purpose for controlling opponents’ flying creatures, but Silk Net offers a distinct tactical advantage through its instant speed and its ability to tap without destruction, preserving the board state while stifling your opponent’s aerial assault.

Spidersilk Net - MTG Card versions
Crushing Canopy - MTG Card versions
Plummet - MTG Card versions
Spidersilk Net - MTG Card versions
Crushing Canopy - MTG Card versions
Plummet - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Silk Net by color, type and mana cost

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Fog - MTG Card versions
Natural Selection - MTG Card versions
Lifelace - MTG Card versions
Berserk - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Crumble - MTG Card versions
Crop Rotation - MTG Card versions
Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Seedling Charm - MTG Card versions
Shrink - MTG Card versions
Choking Vines - MTG Card versions
Crossbow Ambush - MTG Card versions
Reclaim - MTG Card versions
Worldly Tutor - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Might - MTG Card versions
Serene Sunset - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Might - MTG Card versions
Sprout - MTG Card versions
Gather Courage - MTG Card versions
Nature's Claim - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Silk Net offers players a unique edge by trapping and exiling an opponent’s creature with flying. This niche but strategic move can effectively reduce the opponent’s board presence and potentially disrupt their planned attacks or defenses.

Resource Acceleration: Although Silk Net itself doesn’t directly provide mana or resources, its low casting cost facilitates a smooth curve in your mana expenditure, allowing you to hold resources for more demanding spells or actions later in the game.

Instant Speed: The true power of Silk Net lies in its instant speed capability. This allows you to surprise an unsuspecting opponent by targeting and removing a key flyer during combat or at the end of their turn, keeping them off-balance and preserving your strategic advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Silk Net, you won’t have to worry about discarding any of your cards. This gives you the freedom to cast it without losing any additional resources from your hand, keeping your strategical options open.

Specific Mana Cost: Silk Net’s utility is somewhat narrowed by its specific mana cost of one green. If your deck doesn’t consistently produce green mana, you might find it challenging to cast this spell when you need it the most.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Silk Net is reasonably priced at two mana, there are times when its cost can feel somewhat steep, especially when you consider that it only targets creatures with flying. In fast-paced games or against decks that don’t heavily rely on flyers, you might find Silk Net sitting in your hand instead of affecting the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Silk Net in Your Collection

Versatility: Silk Net’s ability to target creatures with flying makes it a useful tool in green decks that often lack reach or flying interaction. It can be a tactical response, especially when pitted against decks that leverage airborne threats.

Combo Potential: As it adds to your creature’s power and can also put a flying creature out of commission, Silk Net can synchronize well with decks that capitalize on creature control and those that benefit from countering opponents’ aerial advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dominated by powerful flyers, Silk Net serves as an effective answer to neutralize such threats. Its low mana cost allows it to fit smoothly into your curve, making it a reliable card to have on hand in response to flying-centered strategies.


How to beat

Silk Net is a unique card that can catch players off guard in Magic: The Gathering. As an enchantment, it skillfully ensnares creatures with flying, preventing them from taking to the skies. Its mere presence can alter the course of gameplay, grounding even the mightiest winged adversaries and making aerial strategies less effective. However, there are tactics to navigate around this pesky enchantment.

The key to overcoming Silk Net lies in flexibility and preparedness. Consider incorporating enchantment removal cards into your deck. If you’re running green, Naturalize offers a simple and efficient answer. Alternatively, red has access to cards like Chaos Warp, which not only deal with Silk Net but can also handle a wider array of problematic permanents. Another strategy is to employ creatures that can muster powerful effects even without flying, ensuring your offensive capabilities remain intact. Remember, a diversified deck is less likely to be caught off-guard by specialized cards like Silk Net. Enhance your deck’s resilience, and the next time it appears, you’ll clip its strings with ease.

In essence, by preparing for the unexpected and broadening your means to handle challenges such as Silk Net, you maintain the upper hand. Adapting to the ebb and flow of the game is a hallmark of skillful Magic: The Gathering play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Silk Net MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Silk Net and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Silk Net has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Both the +1/+1 and reach only last until end of turn.
2008-04-01 This card now uses the Reach keyword ability to enable the blocking of flying creatures. This works because a creature with flying can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach.