Citizen's Arrest MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Number | 11 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wisnu Tan |
Text of card
When Citizen's Arrest enters the battlefield, exile target creature or planeswalker an opponent controls until Citizen's Arrest leaves the battlefield.
"What lurks behind the faces of those you think you can trust?"
Cards like Citizen's Arrest
Citizen’s Arrest is an intriguing tactical option within Magic: The Gathering, sharing common ground with control spells such as Pacifism. Both function to effectively neutralize a threat by restricting a creature’s ability to attack or block. Where Citizen’s Arrest differs is its broader preventive scope, deterring activated abilities of the detained creature as well. Comparatively, Pacifism focuses solely on combat abilities, leaving other potential abilities of the creature unaddressed.
Another parallel can be drawn with Arrest, which dovetails with Citizen’s Arrest in terms of preventing combat participation and activated abilities. However, Arrest also adds another layer by silencing the abilities that could be triggered without an activation cost. Imprisoned in the Moon is yet another comparable piece, transforming a troublesome creature, planeswalker, or land into a simple, ability-less land, effectively removing it from contention in any capacity, which is a notch higher than what Citizen’s Arrest offers.
All in all, while Citizen’s Arrest may not transform or exiling a problematic opponent’s card, its capacity to incapacitate various targets gives it a flexible edge in many strategic scenarios in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card that helps maintain control without overriding permanence, presenting a subtler form of domination on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Citizen's Arrest by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Citizen's Arrest. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Control | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Citizen’s Arrest gives players the utility to neutralize key creatures or planeswalkers, effectively removing an opponent’s advantage without losing card economy. This disruption can tilt the field in your favor, keeping your hand robust and ready for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t produce additional resources directly, the ability to detain a pivotal piece of your opponent’s strategy can act as indirect resource acceleration. It buys you time to develop your board and get ahead without extra mana expenditure.
Instant Speed: The power of Citizen’s Arrest lies in its versatility at instant speed, offering flexibility in control. Deploy it when your opponent least expects it, after they’ve committed to an action, effectively maximizing the potential of your mana each turn and keeping your reactive options open.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: One of the limitations of Citizen’s Arrest is its color-specific mana requirement. It necessitates the presence of white mana in your deck, which could restrict the range of decks where this card is feasible.
Discard Requirement: Another disadvantage that comes with using Citizen’s Arrest is the potential need for discard. While not inherent to the card itself, some strategies may require a discard to optimize gameplay, which can put a strain on your hand, especially if you’re already dealing with limited resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, the mana cost associated with Citizen’s Arrest can be considered high when compared to other control options available in the game. There are lower-cost alternatives that may offer similar or better control effects, making Citizen’s Arrest potentially less efficient in a fast-paced game where mana efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Citizen’s Arrest in Your Collection
Versatility: Citizen’s Arrest serves as a flexible control tool in many deck builds, providing players with the ability to neutralize key opposing threats, from rampaging creatures to activated-ability powerhouses.
Combo Potential: This card can be integral in decks that capitalize on detainment effects, allowing intricate combos with cards that punish tapped creatures or benefit from opponents having fewer resources to respond.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, Citizen’s Arrest holds its ground by being an excellent response to the ever-changing roster of dominating creatures and planeswalkers that can potentially take over the game if left unchecked.
How to beat
Citizen’s Arrest can be a tricky enchantment to overcome in the strategic world of Magic the Gathering. This card allows a player to take control of an opponent’s creature for as long as Citizen’s Arrest remains on the battlefield. This form of control can severely disrupt your game plan, essentially removing your creature’s abilities and attack potential from your arsenal.
To effectively neutralize this threat, consider running cards that can remove enchantments from the field. Cards like Disenchant, which destroy target artifact or enchantment, can swiftly return your creature back under your command. If you prefer a more subtle approach, enchantment-exiling cards such as Oblivion Ring offer a solution to not only liberate your creature but also deal with Citizen’s Arrest permanently. Additionally, playing cards that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud can prevent them from being targeted by Citizen’s Arrest in the first place, making them invaluable in decks against control strategies.
Being able to anticipate and respond to such control tactics will undoubtedly strengthen your gameplay. Remember, maintaining a versatile deck with a mix of countermeasures will keep your opponents guessing and ensure your creatures stay where they belong—to aid in your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Citizen's Arrest MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Citizen's Arrest 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 Citizen's Arrest has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Citizen's Arrest card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Auras attached to the exiled permanent 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. |
| 2022-09-09 | If Citizen’s Arrest leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target permanent won’t be exiled. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won’t return to the battlefield. |