Ice Cave MTG Card

Apocalypse (APC)
2001-06-04 - Number 24

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number APC-24

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment

Key Takeaways

Ice Cave can disrupt opponents while conserving your card count.
Strategic use of Ice Cave can slow opponents, giving you an advantage.
Its instant speed feature allows for real-time threat response.

Text of card

Whenever a player plays a spell, any other player may pay that spell's mana cost. If a player does, counter the spell. (Mana cost includes color.)

Even the oppressive cold of the cave could not temper Eladamri's ire.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ice Cave offers a unique opportunity to potentially disrupt multiple opponents’ plays without losing card quantity in hand. It shifts the dynamic of the game by allowing you to capitalize on the spells being played, turning each into a potential asset for your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct tool for acceleration, the strategic depth of Ice Cave can be exploited to slow others down, effectively putting you ahead. Proper use of this card can give you the upper hand, as others may be reluctant to cast powerful spells if they know you can use Ice Cave to replicate those effects.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Ice Cave lies in its flexibility, operating at instant speed. This not only keeps your opponents guessing but also lets you react to threats or opportunities in real-time without waiting for your turn. This responsiveness is crucial for maintaining control of the game’s pace.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Navigating the slippery terrain of the Ice Cave Magic the Gathering card requires that you discard another card from your hand. This can potentially leave you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re already struggling to hold onto valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Ice Cave comes with a mana cost that’s as rigid as the permafrost it represents, needing both blue and colorless mana to cast. This can be restrictive for decks not running blue or those that can’t afford a multicolor mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that punches in at five mana, Ice Cave may find itself on thin ice compared to other options. Decks looking for more immediate impact might find the mana investment to cast and use Ice Cave’s ability a bit steep.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ice Cave offers a unique control mechanism which can be incorporated into various deck archetypes. Its ability to counter spells unless their caster pays an additional cost means it can adapt to different situations, making it a flexible inclusion.

Combo Potential: This card can work in concert with decks that aim to restrict opponents’ resources, enhancing strategies that either ramp up your own mana pool or deplete your opponent’s—proving particularly effective in lock-down combos.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where players tend to sling spells frequently, Ice Cave can become a key component. It allows you to govern the pace of the game and hamper opponents’ plans, making it a strong consideration for decks looking to thrive in the current competitive scene.

How to beat

The Ice Cave card in Magic the Gathering offers players a unique form of control, allowing players to copy instants or sorceries cast by opponents as long as they share a color with a mana they could produce. This can create an impenetrable shield around your game plan, frustrating your rivals as you mirror their key plays. But this defense is not impervious.

To effectively challenge an Ice Cave, consider focusing on colorless spells, as Ice Cave’s effect hinges on matching colors. Artifacts, and Eldrazi cards are prime examples of strategies that bypass the Ice Cave’s control. Additionally, deploying spells that eliminate the opponent’s mana base can significantly undermine the Ice Cave’s utility, as your opponent will struggle to match the colored mana cost necessary to utilise Ice Cave’s effect.

Each game presents a puzzle, and Ice Cave is a powerful piece within that complexity. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses, and adapting your play style accordingly, you can transform what seems like an insurmountable obstacle into a surmountable challenge, ultimately leading you to victory. With strategic foresight and a well-built deck, the chill of the Ice Cave can be overcome.

Cards like Ice Cave

Ice Cave holds a unique position within the range of control cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows any player to counter a spell, provided they can pay its color’s mana cost. When assessing comparable cards, Lapse of Certainty comes to mind, offering a temporary reprieve by putting the countered spell on top of its owner’s library. However, Lapse of Certainty lacks the repeatability that marks Ice Cave’s strategic potential.

Turning to cards like Mana Leak, players find a cost-effective countering solution, but this too is a one-off event, whereas Ice Cave can provide ongoing control, albeit at a higher mana risk. Similarly, Douse presents a recurring countering ability, but it is restricted to red spells and requires you to have an Island in play, showcasing how Ice Cave’s flexibility can be crucial in multi-color decks.

When evaluating these cards side by side, while each has its advantage, Ice Cave distinguishes itself with the ability to shape the game round after round, provided players can sustain its mana-heavy demands. Thus, it’s a noteworthy choice for MTG enthusiasts who favor control tactics and have the resource management to support it.

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

Heightened Awareness - MTG Card versions

Reflections of Littjara - MTG Card versions

Curse of Surveillance - MTG Card versions

Honden of Seeing Winds - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ice Cave MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and The List, 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 Cave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ice Cave Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2001-06-04. Illustrated by Jerry Tiritilli.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2001-06-04	Apocalypse	APC		24	1997	Normal	Black	Jerry Tiritilli
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		APC-24	1997	Normal	Black	Jerry Tiritilli

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ice Cave has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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