Earthbind MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 145
1993-10-04 - Number 146
1993-12-01 - Number 146
1993-12-10 - Number 146
1993-12-10 - Number 146
1994-04-01 - Number 147
1994-04-01 - Number 147
1994-06-21 - Number 147
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Earthbind does 2 damage to target flying creature, which also loses flying ability.
Cards like Earthbind
When players examine Earthbind in Magic: The Gathering, they often look at other cards that lock down creatures. Earthbind uniquely restricts flying creatures from taking off, but it’s worth considering how it stacks up against similar enchantments. Cards like Unstable Footing have a similar function by nullifying abilities that prevent or redirect damage, though not specifically targeting flying creatures.
Goblin War Drums serves as another enchantment that impacts creature abilities indirectly by granting your creatures menace, which complicates block strategies for your opponent. However, Earthbind remains unique with its specific enchant creature ability and the single red mana cost which makes it accessible early in the game. On the flip side, Earthbind is narrow in scope, as it only impacts flyers and doesn’t offer the broader utility found in other red enchantments like Clinging Mists, which prevents combat damage rather than disabling flying.
Overall, Earthbind holds a firm place in the niche of red control cards, complementing a strategy explicitly designed against decks heavy on flying creatures, although its utility may feel limited when compared to the breadth of options in red’s enchantment pool.
Cards similar to Earthbind by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Earthbind itself doesn’t draw cards, its unique ability to disable flying creatures can indirectly contribute to card advantage by neutralizing opponents’ threats that are otherwise difficult to deal with using ground units.
Resource Acceleration: Although Earthbind does not directly provide resource acceleration, it can help maintain your pace on the board by effectively handling flying creatures, thereby conserving your other resources for more pressing threats.
Instant Speed: Earthbind’s strength lies in its element of surprise. As an instant, it allows players to respond to opponents’ actions during their turn, particularly when they attempt to evade your defenses with flying creatures. The ability to cast Earthbind in response to such maneuvers can leave an adversary’s board exposed and disrupt their strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to Earthbind, players must be prepared for situations where the enchantment might not be the optimal card to hold onto. If your hand is already scarce, being forced to part with another precious card to leverage Earthbind’s effect can be detrimental, especially in a close match where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Earthbind’s requirement of red mana for casting makes it exclusive to red or multicolored decks. This limitation can be restrictive when players are designing their deck and aiming for a strategy that doesn’t naturally incorporate red mana. For those who play monochromatic or colorless decks, Earthbind will remain an unplayable card.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might seem modest at first glance, players must consider the overall efficiency of Earthbind. In the vast pool of MTG cards, alternatives may provide similar or better effects for the same, if not a lower, cost. Thus, it begs the question of whether Earthbind represents the best use of a turn’s mana investment compared to other cards that could enhance your board state or hand with greater impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Earthbind is an iconic card with the ability to neutralize threats across various game situations. Its role in restricting creatures with flying adds strategic depth to red decks that often lack flying creatures.
Combo Potential: This card offers combo potential in formats where enchantments matter. It can be used as part of an intricate strategy to control the board and disarm key components of your opponent’s offense.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures dominate, Earthbind provides an efficient solution. It’s a classic from the early sets, offering historical value and practical utility against decks that rely heavily on flying creatures for victory.
How to beat
Earthbind is a unique card that can disrupt your aerial strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This red spell prevents creatures from flying, essentially neutralizing a key advantage creatures with flying usually have. While this card might feel limiting, there are several ways to overcome its effect.
Firstly, enhancing your ground forces can make Earthbind less of a setback. By focusing on strengthening your land-based creatures, you can mitigate the need to rely on flying creatures. Additionally, enchantment removal spells are highly effective against Earthbind. Green spells like Naturalize or White spells like Disenchant can quickly dispel the binding and free your winged warriors to take to the skies once again. Another tactic is to diversify your threats such that removing the ability to fly does not critically impair your board presence. This can involve including creatures with other evasion abilities or simply playing a variety of creatures with balanced strengths.
Ultimately, while Earthbind is designed to keep your creatures grounded, knowing your deck and the right countermeasures to apply will ensure that your strategy remains on course, soaring high above this potential obstacle. Keep these tips in mind, and Earthbind won’t keep you down for long.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Earthbind MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Earthbind 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 Earthbind Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 1994-06-21. Illustrated by Quinton Hoover.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 145 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 146 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 146 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 146 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 146 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 147 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 147 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 147 | 1993 | Normal | White | Quinton Hoover |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Earthbind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Earthbind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If the enchanted creature gains flying after Earthbind is put onto it, it will have flying. The two effects are simply applied in timestamp order. |