Amber Prison MTG Card

Amber Prison can indirectly lead to card advantage by neutralizing opponent threats. Its ability to lock permanents can slow your opponent’s resource pacing, offering tactical benefit. Activation at end of opponent’s turn can mimic instant-speed interaction for strategic plays.

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 292

Amber Prison - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 272

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number MIR-292

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

You may choose not to untap Amber Prison during your untap phase. o4, oc T: Tap target artifact, creature, or land. As long as Amber Prison remains tapped, that permanent does not untap during its controller's untap phase.

Cards like Amber Prison

Amber Prison is a unique artifact in the world of MTG, providing a method for players to lock down opposing threats. A comparable card is Icy Manipulator, which similarly allows a player to tap a target artifact, creature, or land. However, Icy Manipulator does not require the maintenance cost Amber Prison demands to keep the target immobilized, which is a significant differentiator between the two in terms of long-term mana investment.

Moving through the spectrum of control artifacts, we find Winter Orb. While not a direct comparison to Amber Prison, as it does not target individual cards, it constrains all untapping to a single land per turn, spreading a wider net of restraint over an opponent’s resources. It’s a passive but effectively stifling presence on the battlefield, contrasting Amber Prison’s targeted control approach.

Lastly, there’s the legendary card Meekstone, which prevents creatures with power 3 or greater from untapping. Like Amber Prison, it aims to neutralize potential threats, focusing on powerhouse creatures that could otherwise dominate the game. While Meekstone taps into the passive control strategy, Amber Prison requires active decision-making each turn to maintain its influence, offering strategic depth and interaction.

Cards similar to Amber Prison by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Amber Prison may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability to repeatedly immobilize an opponent’s key permanent can indirectly lead to a card advantage. By negating an opponent’s threat, you preserve your cards while they’re forced to invest more resources to break free from the Prison’s hold.

Resource Acceleration: While Amber Prison itself doesn’t accelerate resources, it effectively slows down your opponent’s resource acceleration by locking down their mana sources or creatures that generate additional resources. This in turn can give you the upper hand in pacing the game.

Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant, Amber Prison’s ability to tap potential threats can be activated at the end of your opponent’s turn, simulating instant-speed interaction. This allows for strategic planning in disabling creatures or artifacts that are pivotal to your opponent’s strategy right before your turn begins.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Amber Prison demands you to skip a turn to untap it, which can set you back significantly, especially in the fast-paced modern games.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires two generic and two mana of any one color, which could strain mana resources in a multicolored deck or when competing for critical spells in the early game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial cost of four mana and a continuous activation cost to maintain its effect, Amber Prison is less economical compared to other lockdown options in MTG that can immobilize opponents’ assets at a lower investment.

Reasons to Include Amber Prison in Your Collection

Versatility: Amber Prison is a unique artifact that can adapt to various playing styles. Its ability to tap target creatures and lands makes it a flexible choice for disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: Its lockdown capacity pairs well with decks focused on taking control of the game. Aside from suspending a key target, it synergies with untap mechanics, potentially freeing it for repeated uses within a single turn cycle.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where tempo plays a crucial role, the capacity to neutralize threats or mana sources can turn the tides. With Amber Prison, you stay prepared for a meta wherein stalling your adversary’s development is paramount to victory.

How to beat

Amber Prison is a unique artifact card that can leave MTG players momentarily at a disadvantage if they’re not prepared with a counter strategy. To overcome this card, one of the primary tactics is to maintain a diverse set of removal spells in your deck. Artifact destruction cards like Naturalize or Abrade can be effortlessly slotted into most builds and will dismantle Amber Prison before its locking capabilities fully impact the game.

Besides direct removal, another method is to implement cards that allow you to untap your permanents. Running cards such as Voyaging Satyr or Kiora’s Follower can negate the freezing effect of Amber Prison on your mana resources or key creatures. Moreover, these cards can aid you in keeping an aggressive tempo, ensuring that Amber Prison’s control over the battlefield is short-lived.

Lastly, it is critical to be resourceful with your mana. Amber Prison requires four mana to both, cast and activate its ability, making it a substantial investment for your opponent. By pressuring your opponent and forcing them to deal with your threats, you can often prevent them from having the spare mana to use Amber Prison effectively, turning the tides in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Amber Prison MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Amber Prison and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Amber Prison Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-10-08	Mirage	MIR	292	1997	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola
2	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED	272	1997	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	MIR-292	1997	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Amber Prison has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal