Freeze in Place MTG Card


Control the battlefield by using Freeze in Place to disrupt opponents’ strategies and manage threats effectively. Leverage its versatility and synergy in control decks to maximize its potential in your strategic plays. Counteract this card by incorporating enchantment removal, hexproof creatures, or counterspells into your deck.
Freeze in Place - Wilds of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Scry
Released2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set nameWilds of Eldraine
Set codeWOE
Number50
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLeanna Crossan

Text of card

Tap target creature an opponent controls and put three stun counters on it. Scry 2. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.)

"I'm getting the sense we shouldn't expect a warm welcome." —Kellan


Cards like Freeze in Place

Freeze in Place is a compelling option in the realm of control magic in Magic: The Gathering, particularly when looking at blue spells that prevent creatures from taking action. Comparable to Frost Breath, which taps two target creatures and doesn’t allow them to untap during their controller’s next untap step, Freeze in Place builds on that by also drawing a card. Frost Breath doesn’t provide this card advantage, which can be critical in maintaining momentum.

Another relative is Ice Over, a card that attaches to a creature or vehicle and freezes it indefinitely. While Ice Over can be a longer-term hindrance, it lacks the immediate benefit of card draw that Freeze in Place offers. Sleep is a more widespread freeze effect, impacting all opposing creatures. However, it doesn’t tap into the potential to replenish your hand, emphasizing the nuanced edge that Freeze in Place has in strategic gameplay.

Examining these elements closely reveals Freeze in Place as a nicely balanced tool for players who value both delaying their opponent’s strategy and enhancing their own card flow, proving that this spell can hold its own in various MTG control tactics.

Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Ice Over - MTG Card versions
Sleep - MTG Card versions
Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Ice Over - MTG Card versions
Sleep - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Freeze in Place by color, type and mana cost

Time Walk - MTG Card versions
Braingeyser - MTG Card versions
Drain Power - MTG Card versions
Transmute Artifact - MTG Card versions
Forget - MTG Card versions
Foresight - MTG Card versions
Paradigm Shift - MTG Card versions
Piracy - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Wind Sail - MTG Card versions
Mana Vapors - MTG Card versions
Turbulent Dreams - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Muse Vortex - MTG Card versions
See the Truth - MTG Card versions
Fae of Wishes // Granted - MTG Card versions
Maddening Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Silver Scrutiny - MTG Card versions
Treasure Hunt - MTG Card versions
Reshape - MTG Card versions
Time Walk - MTG Card versions
Braingeyser - MTG Card versions
Drain Power - MTG Card versions
Transmute Artifact - MTG Card versions
Forget - MTG Card versions
Foresight - MTG Card versions
Paradigm Shift - MTG Card versions
Piracy - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Wind Sail - MTG Card versions
Mana Vapors - MTG Card versions
Turbulent Dreams - MTG Card versions
Quiet Speculation - MTG Card versions
Muse Vortex - MTG Card versions
See the Truth - MTG Card versions
Fae of Wishes // Granted - MTG Card versions
Maddening Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Silver Scrutiny - MTG Card versions
Treasure Hunt - MTG Card versions
Reshape - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Freeze in Place. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue AggroMono-Blue Aggro PauperStandard Pauper

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Freeze in Place’s ability to tap a creature and prevent it from untapping during its controller’s next untap step disrupts your opponent’s momentum. This ensures that you maintain board control, potentially negating threats and giving you an upper hand in the battle.

Resource Acceleration: While Freeze in Place doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, the time bought by incapacitating a key creature of your opponent can be crucial. This pause in their offensive allows you to build up your mana and deploy more impactful spells without immediate pressure.

Instant Speed: The true power of Freeze in Place comes from its instant speed. This enables strategic flexibility, letting you react to shifts in the game state effectively. You can wait until just the right moment, like during your opponent’s attack phase, to render their best creature unusable, catching them off-guard and tipping the scales in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Freeze in Place demands players to discard another card, which could be a hefty price when your hand size is already dwindling. This can particularly be challenging when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Freeze in Place is pinpointed with blue mana. This specificity means it may not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t heavily focused on blue, potentially restricting its versatility across different deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that could be deemed steep for its performance, Freeze in Place competes with other control elements available in the game. Given its cost, players may opt for alternatives that provide broader control options or a lower-resource stalling mechanism.


Reasons to Include Freeze in Place in Your Collection

Versatility: Freeze in Place is a flexible card that can be used in various control decks, effectively stalling opposing creatures and strategies. Its ability to neutralize threats makes it a universal tool against many deck types.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to tap a creature can synergize well with effects that capitalize on tapped creatures or require opponents’ creatures to be immobilized for maximum impact.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting nature of MTG’s competitive scene, Freeze in Place can be particularly valuable in environments where creature-based decks dominate. It’s a strategic inclusion that can tip the scales in your favor, preventing key creatures from attacking or blocking.


How to beat

Freeze in Place enters MTG as an intriguing control card, offering players the ability to temporarily neutralize a threat on the battlefield. Much like other ice-themed cards such as Frost Lynx or Ice Over, this card’s strength lies in its potential to disrupt the pace of your opponent’s gameplay by freezing a creature in its tracks.

This asset can sometimes tilt matches in your favor; however, understanding the mechanisms to counteract its hold is crucial. You can outmaneuver Freeze in Place by utilizing enchantment removal spells, which are common in MTG sets across the spectrum. Consider incorporating spells like Naturalize or Disenchant in your deck, which directly address problematic cards like these. Aside from that, having creatures with hexproof or using counterspells is a proactive approach to ensure that your key creatures remain untouched by such freezing enchantments. This approach provides you with the dexterity to sidestep such hindrances effectively.

Ultimately, while Freeze in Place can represent a challenge on the field, there are various strategic measures a player can deploy to counter this enchantment. By preparing your deck with the right mix of cards, you can thaw out the chill and maintain the momentum of your strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Freeze in Place MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Freeze in Place and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Freeze in Place has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 If the target is not legal as Freeze in Place tries to resolve, Freeze in Place will be removed from the stack. You won't scry.
2023-09-01 You may target a creature that is already tapped with Freeze in Place. If the target creature is already tapped as Freeze in Place resolves, you will still put three stun counters on it.