Circle of Confinement MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 329
2021-11-19 - Number 7
2022-01-28 - Number 274
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Circle of Confinement enters the battlefield, exile target creature an opponent controls with mana value 3 or less until Circle of Confinement leaves the battlefield. Whenever an opponent casts a Vampire spell with the same name as a card exiled with Circle of Confinement, you gain 2 life.
Cards like Circle of Confinement
Circle of Confinement is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that joins a suite of white spells specializing in exiling target opponent’s creatures. It is somewhat akin to Banishing Light, a classic removal spell that also exiles nonland permanents until the enchantment leaves the battlefield. Circle of Confinement’s edge lies in its specificity towards creatures with mana value 3 or less, ensuring early game threats can be efficiently handled.
Adding to the conversation is Silkwrap, another sorcery that exiles a creature with mana value 3 or less. While it carries a similar mana cost to Circle of Confinement, it lacks the reusable aspect that Circle of Confinement offers when specific conditions are met. Moreover, there’s the notable Declaration in Stone which can exile any number of creatures of the same name for a relatively low cost. Yet, it compensates players by offering clue tokens in return for their exiled creatures, a trade that Circle of Confinement avoids entirely.
Assessing these comparisons, Circle of Confinement emerges as an adaptable option, remarkable for its targeted removal at a low cost and the potential for recurring value in certain decks within Magic: The Gathering’s dynamic landscape.
Cards similar to Circle of Confinement by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Circle of Confinement. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Selesnya Enchantments | Standard | Selesnya Enchantments | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Abzan Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 | |
 | WB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Circle of Confinement provides strategic deck utility by offering removal of problematic creatures, potentially disrupting your opponent’s early game plan. With its second ability, it can also allow ongoing card advantage if you’re targeting a legendary creature, keeping your hand replenished over time.
Resource Acceleration: While this enchantment doesn’t directly produce additional mana, its low casting cost allows for early game plays without significant resource commitment. This efficient use of mana can accelerate your board state while managing threats.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Circle of Confinement can be a key part in decks that operate at instant speed. It can interact with your opponent’s creatures just as they hit the board, maintaining tempo and allowing you to reserve mana for other responses or end-of-turn plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the context of Circle of Confinement, while there is no discard requirement directly tied to the card itself, the need to manage your hand and board with cost-efficient plays is pivotal. If your strategy heavily relies on maintaining card advantage, investing in Circle of Confinement could undermine your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Circle of Confinement requires white mana to cast. This specificity can pose a challenge in multicolored decks that might struggle to have the necessary white mana available, especially in the early game when establishing your mana base is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, Circle of Confinement’s ability to exile a creature with mana value 3 or less may come off as underwhelming in comparison to other cards within the mana range, particularly in a fast-paced game where tempo is key. This can affect its inclusion in decks, as it competes with other versatile and cost-effective removal options.
Reasons to Include Circle of Confinement in Your Collection
Versatility: Circle of Confinement offers flexible removal options, addressing creatures your opponents control that are likely to cause ongoing problems. Its ability to target specific threats makes it a valuable tool in decks that seek to manage the board and maintain control.
Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes well with decks built around exile mechanics or those that capitalize on the casting of enchantments. Its secondary ability to withdraw additional cards when opponents cast certain spells creates opportunities for advantageous interactions and can lead to powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: With a shifting game environment that often features potent creatures and commanders, Circle of Confinement’s targeted removal makes it a timely addition. Its low mana cost and enduring presence on the board enable it to influence the game’s outcome, particularly when pitted against creature-heavy decks or those reliant on specific commanders.
How to beat
Circle of Confinement is a unique white enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that challenges players with its utility to exile target creatures an opponent controls with mana value three or less. To navigate around this constraint, smart deck-building can be key. Including creatures in your deck with a mana value above three can naturally circumvent the limitations of Circle of Confinement. This strategy forces the Circle’s controller to face threats they cannot easily remove with the enchantment.
Moreover, leveraging enchantment removal spells can instantly dismantle the Circle’s grip on the battlefield. Spells like Disenchant or enchantment-specific removal like Broken Bond cater to this purpose adeptly. Additionally, cards with abilities to bounce enchantments back to the owner’s hand, such as Blink of an Eye, serve as an efficient solution to reset the Circle of Confinement, buying vital time and preserving your essential creatures.
Ultimately, overcoming Circle of Confinement hinges on strategic gameplay and thoughtful deck construction, ensuring that your creatures either evade its confines or that you have the right arsenal to dismantle its power, maintaining your dominance in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Circle of Confinement MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Circle of Confinement 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
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Printings
The Circle of Confinement Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 329 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lorenzo Mastroianni | |
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 274 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lorenzo Mastroianni |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Circle of Confinement has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Circle of Confinement card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners' graveyards. Any Equipment will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist. When the card returns to the battlefield, it will be a new object with no connection to the card that was exiled. |
| 2021-11-19 | If Circle of Confinement leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the target creature won't be exiled. |
| 2021-11-19 | If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield. |