Apathy MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Number | 33 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Phil Foglio |
Text of card
Enchanted creature does not untap during its controller's untap phase. During the upkeep of enchanted creature's controller, that player may discard a card at random to untap that creature.
Cards like Apathy
Apathy is a unique piece in the realm of enchantment cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to pacification effects such as those found on Pacifism, which neutralizes creatures by forbidding them from attacking or blocking. Apathy, however, adds an additional layer by allowing the removal of the enchantment from the battlefield to the graveyard, thus freeing the creature from its binding effect, albeit temporarily.
Looking into Claustrophobia, we see another parallel, as it not only taps the enchanted creature but also prevents it from being untapped during its controller’s untap phase. Apathy provides a more flexible utility by enabling the controller to decide when to eliminate the enchantment. Comparing with Ice Cage, here’s an enchantment that also restricts the creature’s abilities until it becomes the target of a spell or ability, again highlighting Apathy’s elective dismissal feature.
Assessing these enchantments highlights that Apathy gives players tactical control over timing, an edge that could significantly alter the course of a match. These comparisons illustrate Apathy’s potential for skillful gameplay and strategic depth in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Apathy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Apathy can efficiently neutralize a key creature your opponent controls, essentially removing a card from their board without losing card equity yourself.
Resource Acceleration: While Apathy doesn’t directly produce resources, its low casting cost aids in curving out your plays, allowing you to deploy other spells alongside it for an optimal mana usage each turn.
Instant Speed: Apathy can be cast at enchantment speed, providing a strategic advantage by freeing up your mana for other instant speed interactions during your opponent’s turns or at the end of their turn, before untapping on yours.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Apathy requires the player to discard another card from their hand upon casting, which can be a significant downside, particularly if your hand is already depleted or the cards you hold are all integral to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes blue mana, Apathy may not fit smoothly into multicolored decks that are not centered around blue. This requirement restricts its versatility across various deck types and can hinder deck building in non-blue strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Apathy’s mana cost is not exceedingly high, at three mana, its effect to tap and doesn’t untap during the next untap step of the enchanted creature might be considered inefficient compared to other control options available in the game. Players often seek alternatives that can offer either a more permanent solution or less of a mana investment for a similar effect.
Reasons to Include Apathy in Your Collection
Versatility: Apathy offers a simple yet flexible approach to creature control, capable of neutralizing threats across various game scenarios. It’s easily slotted into decks that aim to manage opponents’ creatures without committing too much mana or resources.
Combo Potential: As an enchantment, Apathy plays well with strategies that capitalize on enchantment synergies, such as triggering Constellation abilities or accumulating value for an Enchantress’ presence.
Meta-Relevance: Given the influx of creature-based tactics in many formats, Apathy has the potential to be a cost-effective tool in disrupting opponents’ key creatures, making it a practical inclusion in decks seeking to navigate and control the current meta.
How to beat
Apathy is a unique enchantment card in Magic: The Gathering that can alter the course of a game by neutralizing a key creature your opponent controls. It effectively taps a creature and prevents it from untapping during the untap phase for as long as Apathy remains on the battlefield. This can be a temporary setback or a continuous nuisance, depending on how you deal with it.
To overcome the limiting effects of Apathy, the key is to either remove the enchantment or utilize abilities that allow your creatures to untap manually. Enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize are straight-forward solutions to eliminating Apathy, freeing your creature to engage once more. On the other hand, if direct removal isn’t available, cards with activated abilities that untap creatures, such as Seeker of Skybreak, offer a workaround. By strategically employing these techniques, you can ensure that your creatures remain a threat, even when faced with debilitating cards like Apathy.
In essence, having the right countermeasures in place makes Apathy less of a concern. Managing your resources effectively and knowing when to play your removal or untap abilities can turn the tide in your favor, keeping your battlefield active and your creatures ready to strike.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Apathy MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Apathy and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Apathy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Apathy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | The player may discard a card at random whether the enchanted creature is tapped or not. |