Escape Tunnel MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Land |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Number | 261 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Carlos Palma Cruchaga |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Escape Tunnel: Search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. , Sacrifice Escape Tunnel: Target creature with power 2 or less can't be blocked this turn.
No self-respecting criminal has a basement with only one exit.
Cards like Escape Tunnel
Escape Tunnel stands out within the array of utility lands in Magic: The Gathering for its ability to provide both a mana source and a tactical advantage. Its closest relative is perhaps Rogue’s Passage, which offers unblockable passage to creatures. Unlike Escape Tunnel, Rogue’s Passage doesn’t require the creature to have power 3 or less but does demand four mana and the land to tap, making it a higher investment for the effect.
Sejiri Steppe is also akin to Escape Tunnel by its purpose in protecting creatures, but it operates differently by granting protection from a color of your choice until the end of turn. While Sejiri Steppe doesn’t provide consistent evasion like Escape Tunnel or require a creature power condition, it is a one-time-use land with the ‘Enters the battlefield tapped’ limitation.
In the broader context, it’s tough not to applaud Escape Tunnel for its low-cost activation in giving evasion to smaller creatures, adding strategic depth and surprise elements to gameplay. It may not have the unconditional application of Rogue’s Passage or the color protection of Sejiri Steppe, but in the right deck, Escape Tunnel can be an invaluable asset.
Cards similar to Escape Tunnel by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Escape Tunnel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Faeries | Pauper | Dimir Faeries | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-14 |
| Dimir Control | Pauper | Dimir Control | Lega Pauper Canavese - 4a Tappa Road to Paupergeddon Spring Edition 2024 - 24 Players |
 | Izzet Faeries | Pauper | Izzet Faeries | Pauper Preliminary 2024-04-18 |
 | UW Glitter | Pauper | Azorius Affinity | Pauper Circus (IPT) - Playtime Merate |
 | Four-color Ramp | Explorer | The Pizza Box Open: Explorer | |
| Azorius Control | Explorer | The Pizza Box Open: Explorer | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor | |
 | Caw-Gates | Pauper | Caw-Gates | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-14 |
 | Five-color Aggro | Modern | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Escape Tunnel stands out by enabling a phased-out creature to potentially evade creature removal, thus protecting key assets and maintaining your presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This card generates an opening for extra attacks, potentially unlocking additional card draws or direct damage opportunities, contributing to resource acceleration indirectly.
Instant Speed: The facility to use Escape Tunnel at instant speed provides a strategic edge, allowing players to react swiftly to an opponent’s actions during their turn. This flexibility can lead to advantageous board states and surprise interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Escape Tunnel requires players to part with a card from their hand as an additional cost. This can be particularly detrimental in gameplay situations where your hand is already dwindling, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Its activation cost mandates both colorless and black mana, which, while flexible within certain deck archetypes, does not integrate seamlessly into all strategies. Players running multi-colored decks or those without a heavy black mana base might find it less synergistic.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its utility, Escape Tunnel’s casting and activation cost might be perceived as steep. When evaluating the opportunity cost, some players might prefer cards that offer direct creature removal or alternative ways to bypass blockers for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Escape Tunnel offers broad utility across various deck types. Its ability to provide unblockable passage for your creatures ensures that it can be a tactical asset in both aggressive and control-oriented decks.
Combo Potential: Coupled with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield or damage-dealing effects, Escape Tunnel can become a lynchpin in executing powerful combos, turning otherwise blockable threats into consistent sources of advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures often dictate the pace of play, having a card like Escape Tunnel to ensure critical hits land can adjust the scales in your favor, making it a prudent inclusion for players looking to navigate creature-centric matches with an edge.
How to Beat
Dealing with Escape Tunnel on the battlefield can be quite the puzzle for players. The key is in its activation cost and the fact that it gives a creature an unblockable attribute until the end of the turn. When facing an opponent using Escape Tunnel, the answer lies in timing and resource management.
To undermine this card, save your instant-speed removal or counter spells for when your opponent taps significant mana to activate Escape Tunnel’s ability. Watch for the right moment to strike, and never let Escape Tunnel give your opponent a free pass. A strategic game plan could involve direct removal like Fatal Push to deal with smaller creatures, or utilizing spells like Negate to counter the activation of the ability itself.
Remember, Escape Tunnel can be a potent tool in an adversary’s arsenal, allowing key creatures to slip through defenses undetected. But by staying alert and making precise plays, it’s possible to mitigate its effectiveness and maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Escape Tunnel MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Escape Tunnel 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 Escape Tunnel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |