Dungeon Geists MTG Card


Dungeon Geists secures board control by tapping down enemy creatures, maintaining card parity for the player. Its disruption ability indirectly accelerates your resource advantage and hinders your opponent’s game progress. Despite its non-instant speed, Dungeon Geists can preemptively neutralize threats, mimicking instant-speed interaction.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying When Dungeon Geists enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls. That creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step for as long as you control Dungeon Geists.


Cards like Dungeon Geists

Dungeon Geists is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering that firmly locks down opponents’ creatures. It can be compared to similar cards such as Frost Titan, which also captures creatures albeit with a more powerful ability that can target any permanent. However, Dungeon Geists offers this control at a lower mana cost, making it a subtle yet potent option for disrupting your opponent’s strategy.

Another comparison could be made with Sower of Temptation which not only taps an opponent’s creature but essentially confiscates it. Sower of Temptation brings a more aggressive control to the table, though at a risk given its fragile body. Dungeon Geists doesn’t offer the same level of theft but does provide a resilient form of creature control that remains as long as the Geists stay on the field.

Lastly, we have Icefall Regent, which plays a moderately similar role, coming down and tapping a creature while making it more costly for opponents to untap it or cast spells targeting it. Icefall Regent presents a middle ground between Dungeon Geists and Frost Titan, with an ability that prolongs the control effect.

While analyzing these cards, Dungeon Geists stands firm in Magic: The Gathering as a middle-cost creature that offers reliable and enduring control, making it a valuable asset in decks that capitalize on keeping the opponent’s board restrained.

Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Icefall Regent - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Icefall Regent - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dungeon Geists by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
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Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
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Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dungeon Geists enhances your board presence by locking down an opponent’s creature, effectively removing it as an obstacle without losing a card, maintaining your advantageous position.

Resource Acceleration: By stalling your opponent’s key piece, you slow down their game plan, which indirectly accelerates your resources compared to theirs as you can develop your board unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Although not at instant speed, the impact of Dungeon Geists upon entering the battlefield can simulate instant-speed disruption by timing its play to neutralize your opponent’s threats right before a critical turn.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: The cast of Dungeon Geists requires both generic and specific mana, tying it closely to blue-centric or dual-colored decks. Players running multicolored decks without a strong blue mana base may find it challenging to summon this creature consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Dungeon Geists asks for four mana in total, which might be quite steep, especially when considering tempo in faster-paced games. There are other creatures and cards that cost less and may provide immediate board presence or impact.

Discard Requirement: While Dungeon Geists itself does not have a discard requirement, in a deck optimizing for its ability, you might need to pair it with cards that do. Such synergy creates situations where you might have to let go of valuable cards to achieve the desired lockdown effect.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dungeon Geists’ ability to lock down a crucial creature can be a game-changer in various situations, making it a valuable tool in both offensive and defensive strategies. With its flying attribute, it also serves as a solid attacker or blocker in the air.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that focus on tapping and untapping creatures or those that capitalize on opponents’ creatures being in a state of perpetual lock, allowing you to manipulate the board in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-based tactics, keep them in check with Dungeon Geists enables you to neutralize key threats and gain an upper hand, thereby enhancing your deck’s adaptability against a variety of popular builds.


How to beat

Dungeon Geists is a formidable control creature that can lock down an opponent’s key threat as soon as it enters the battlefield. Its ability to tap and keep that creature from untapping as long as Dungeon Geists remain on the field can be a game-changer. However, there are strategies to mitigate its impact. One method is to use removal spells that can undercut this pesky spirit. Spells that can directly destroy Dungeon Geists, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, are effective because they’re not hindered by the Geist’s control effect. Another tactic involves using board wipes like Wrath of God to clear the field of all creatures, including the Geists, thus freeing the trapped creature from its clutches.

Players can also opt for less conventional methods like enchantment-based removals such as Darksteel Mutation or Oblivion Ring, which bypass creature defenses and neutralize the Geists without destroying them. These methods ensure that your valuable creatures are freed, letting you regain momentum and balance the scales in your favor. Keeping such answers in your deck can help ensure Dungeon Geists doesn’t leave you in a bind during critical moments in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dungeon Geists MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Commander 2013, 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 Dungeon Geists and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dungeon Geists Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 362003NormalBlackNils Hamm
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 422003NormalBlackNils Hamm
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 392015NormalBlackNils Hamm
42019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 572015NormalBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dungeon Geists has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 The ability can target a tapped creature. If the targeted creature is already tapped when it resolves, that creature just remains tapped and doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.
2019-07-12 Dungeon Geists’s triggered ability can target a tapped creature. If the targeted creature is already tapped when it resolves, that creature just remains tapped and won’t untap during its controller’s untap step.
2019-07-12 If Dungeon Geists leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability has resolved, the target creature will be tapped, but it will be able to untap as normal.
2019-07-12 If another player gains control of Dungeon Geists, its effect expires. It won’t keep the creature from untapping anymore, even if you later regain control of Dungeon Geists.