Containment Membrane MTG Card

Effectively manages board control by keeping a tapped creature contained, thus providing a potential advantage. Flexibly casts at instant speed, aligning with control strategies for surprise plays and maintaining adaptability. Limited use against untapped creatures and specific mana requirements might restrict deck integration.

Containment Membrane - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 52

Containment Membrane - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 329

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number OGW-52

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant,Surge

Text of card

Surge (You may cast this spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn.) Enchant creature Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.

Cards like Containment Membrane

Containment Membrane secures its niche within the realm of control in Magic: The Gathering due to its unique blend of enchantment and tempo play. In comparison, claustrophobic spells like Claustrophobia tap down creatures and keep them from untapping. Though similar in function, Containment Membrane has the edge with its Surge cost, offering a flexibility that can subdue a creature for less mana, assuming you or a teammate has cast another spell that turn.

Encrust also somewhat mirrors the Membrane’s tactics by locking down both creatures and artifacts, preventing their activated abilities from being used. Though more versatile against non-creature threats, Encrust lacks the cheaper alternate casting cost, potentially making Containment Membrane the more efficient choice in fast-paced matches. Then there’s the well-known Ice Over, which freezes a creature or vehicle solid; however, it demands full price without the cost-reducing Surge benefit.

In the grand scheme, Containment Membrane stands as a cost-effective option for players who capitalize on the flow of spells each turn. It’s a card that can surprise opponents with its sudden and low-cost creature control, asserting its value in synchronized Magic: The Gathering strategies.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Containment Membrane ensures a tapped creature stays out of commission, effectively neutralizing any potential threats and maintaining board control without losing card resources.

Resource Acceleration: By sidelining opponent’s creatures, it indirectly accelerates your resources as you can focus on deploying your own strategies without the need for additional resources to deal with said creatures.

Instant Speed: The casting flexibility of Containment Membrane at instant speed allows for strategic surprise during the opponent’s turn, aligning perfectly with a control player’s need to adapt to the changing battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Containment Membrane requires you to have a tapped creature as a target, which might not always be available on your opponent’s battlefield when you need it, potentially rendering the card idle in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Containment Membrane needs a specific blue mana to be cast. This limitation means that it might not easily slot into multicolored decks or those that are not heavily blue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, there are alternatives in MTG that can immobilize creatures for less. This could make Containment Membrane less desirable when building an efficient control deck.

Reasons to Include Containment Membrane in Your Collection

Versatility: Containment Membrane shows flexibility by being an enchantment that fits snugly in blue control or tempo decks. Its ability to neutralize a key creature can be a game-changer, particularly in limited formats or in casual play where a single creature often dominates the board.

Combo Potential: This card offers excellent synergy with any deck strategy that encourages casting spells on an opponent’s turn. Its Surge cost also can complement strategies that involve casting multiple spells in a single turn, setting up potent combos with other Surge cards or instants.

Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield ebbs and flows with various creature-centric strategies, Containment Membrane maintains relevance. It’s a useful tool for thwarting aggressive creatures or deactivating abilities that could otherwise disrupt your strategic setup, ensuring your deck keeps pace with shifting meta trends.

How to beat

Containment Membrane stands out in the world of enchantments for its ability to neutralize threats on the battlefield. It’s akin to cards like Claustrophobia, which shares the goal of disabling creatures without outright destroying them. Containment Membrane presents an interesting synergy with surge mechanics, offering a discount on its casting cost should another spell be played during the same turn.

While Containment Membrane could be a temporary setback, it isn’t insurmountable. You can remove this obstacle with spells that target enchantments, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, restoring your creature’s capabilities. In a broader view, one must also see the advantage of creature cards with activated abilities that work even when tapped or those with indestructibility to bypass Containment Membrane’s hindrance altogether. Thus, a strategic deck built with enchantment removal or resilient creatures can effectively sidestep the inconvenience posed by facing Containment Membrane in a match.

In essence, adapting your strategy to include versatile responses can ensure that cards like Containment Membrane do not disrupt your pace and turn the tide of the game in your opponent’s favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Containment Membrane MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Mystery Booster, 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 Containment Membrane and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Containment Membrane Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daarken.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch	OGW	52	2015	Normal	Black	Daarken
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	329	2015	Normal	Black	Daarken
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	OGW-52	2015	Normal	Black	Daarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Containment Membrane has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	Casting a spell for its surge cost doesn’t change its mana cost or its converted mana cost.
2016-01-22	Containment Membrane can target and be attached to an untapped creature. It just won’t have any effect until that creature becomes tapped.
2016-01-22	For some cards, surge represents only an alternative cost, a discount that applies if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn. Other cards, like Reckless Bushwhacker, have additional abilities or effects if you paid the surge cost to cast the spell.
2016-01-22	If an instant or sorcery spell cast for its surge cost is copied, the copy is also considered to have had its surge cost paid.
2016-01-22	The enchanted creature can still be untapped by other spells and abilities.
2016-01-22	The other spell that you or a teammate cast can be one that’s resolved, one that was countered, or (for instants with surge) one that’s still on the stack.