Benalish Trapper MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 8
2014-06-16 - Number 16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
o W, oc T: Tap target creature.
"I'm up here. You're down there. Now who's the lower life form?"
Cards like Benalish Trapper
Benalish Trapper stands out in the wide array of utility creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives could be mused upon by its ability to tap target creatures. Gideon’s Lawkeeper is one such card that shares the capability to control combat by tapping down potential threats with a similar mechanic. Yet, the Lawkeeper fires off its effect at a lower cost, making it a swifter option on the battlefield. On the contrary, the Trapper’s ability requires one to invest more mana, signaling a slower but persistent influence on the game’s pace.
Delving further into the realm of comparison, we encounter Master Decoy. Much like our Benalish Trapper, the Decoy also demands an additional cost to activate its tap ability. This parallels the mana commitment seen with the Trapper, but with a twist in creature type. Lastly, Avacynian Priest invites a parallel; although requiring specific mana for activation, it brings an interesting diversity to the table through its interplay with creature types.
Through these comparisons, Benalish Trapper illustrates its own niche in MTG, balancing cost against the strategic advantage of combat control and reflecting a thoughtful choice for players leveraging creature-based interaction during play.
Cards similar to Benalish Trapper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Benalish Trapper provides tactical leverage by tapping potential threats. This action doesn’t consume additional cards, allowing you to effectively neutralize opposing creatures and maintain card parity on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana, the Trapper helps to efficiently utilize your resources. By keeping your opponent’s creatures at bay, you can accelerate your board presence without having to spend extra mana on costly removal spells.
Instant Speed: The Trapper’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility during the combat phase or end of your opponent’s turn. This surprise element can disrupt the opponent’s strategy and shift the tide of the game in your favor with timely taps.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Benalish Trapper does not require a discard per se, its tap ability is contingent upon always having a creature to target, which may not always be feasible, particularly in creature-light decks.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting requirement of one white mana means it fits best in mono-white or white-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including one white mana, the Benalish Trapper’s ability to only tap a single creature at a time may not be as cost-effective compared to other control options available across the MTG card pool.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Benalish Trapper provides a cost-efficient way to manage the battlefield across various deck strategies. Its tap ability can be seamlessly integrated into control or tempo decks that prioritize manipulation of the combat phase.
Combo Potential: As a piece in many combos, the Benalish Trapper can synergize with cards that benefit from tapping or untapping creatures, enabling intricate interactions and potentially game-winning plays.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures dominate the board, Benalish Trapper’s ability to neutralize key threats can be crucial. Its capacity to influence combat outcomes gives it a solid position in the current MTG creature-centric metagame.
How to beat Benalish Trapper
Benalish Trapper stands out within Magic: The Gathering as a tactical piece, allowing players to tap target creatures for just three mana. But like any card in MTG, there are strategies to overcome it. A straightforward method is to eliminate the Trapper before it can become a persistent nuisance. Instant removal spells are excellent as they can disrupt your opponent’s plans on their turn.
Another approach is to utilize creatures with abilities like hexproof or shroud, which prevent them from being targeted by abilities such as the Trapper’s. Additionally, employing a deck with a high number of creatures can overwhelm the Trapper’s capabilities, as it can only tap one creature at a time. Artifact strategies can also be effective since the Trapper’s ability does not influence them. Lastly, swiftness is vital. By playing quickly and putting pressure on your opponent, you may limit the impact Benalish Trapper has on the game’s outcome.
Beating Benalish Trapper in MTG is about preparedness and tactic. Control the board, and the Trapper’s influence will surely diminish.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Benalish Trapper MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Vintage Masters, 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 Benalish Trapper 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
Printings
The Benalish Trapper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Ken Meyer, Jr..
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 8 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ken Meyer, Jr. |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Benalish Trapper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |