Gridlock MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Number | 36 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yeong-Hao Han |
Text of card
Tap X target nonland permanents.
"One tiny peg pulled from a single wagon wheel, and an entire district grinds to a halt." —Lazav
Cards like Gridlock
Exploring the space of control spells in Magic: The Gathering, Gridlock stands out with its ability to tap down opposing forces. It’s reminiscent of cards like Frost Breath, which similarly incapacitates multiple targets. However, Gridlock offers a scalable advantage — the capability to target a number of creatures or artifacts based on the mana spent, which gives it a tactical edge in larger games.
Dive Down is another card that’s often considered in tactical discussions alongside Gridlock. While it doesn’t prevent a crowd of threats, Dive Down shines in protecting an individual creature with a sudden toughness boost and hexproof. Glimpse the Sun God is yet another relevant spell, allowing you to tap creatures while also scrying to improve your next draws, though at a fixed rate compared to Gridlock’s flexibility.
Ultimately, Gridlock’s nuanced strategic use, particularly in the right deck or situation, could be game-changing. Against decks spilling over with creatures or key artifacts, the ability to selectively stall those threats can secure the time needed to turn the tide in your favor.
Cards similar to Gridlock by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gridlock helps in tapping multiple nonland permanents, effectively limiting your opponent’s options and giving you an upper hand in the flow of the game. This can be a significant shift in maintaining control over the board and can indirectly lead to card advantage as your opponents will be unable to utilize their cards effectively.
Resource Acceleration: Although Gridlock doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it disrupts your opponent’s resource availability. By freezing their lands or creatures with abilities that tap for mana, Gridlock can hamper your opponent’s plans, allowing you to surge ahead in resource competition.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Gridlock at instant speed gives you the flexibility to wait until the most opportune moment—such as the end of your opponent’s turn—before deciding to halt their forces. This surprise element forces opponents to play more cautiously, as their strategies can be disrupted in an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of the Gridlock card is the demand to discard a card as part of its casting cost. This can set players back, particularly in tight situations where hand size and card options are crucial to maintaining an advantage over the opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Gridlock’s mana cost requires a commitment to blue mana, making it less flexible for multicolored or splashable deck structures. This restricts its inclusion mostly to blue-focused decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Gridlock’s mana cost positioned at the higher end for its effect, players may find it less economical, especially when compared against other control options. Alternative cards might offer similar or enhanced effects with a lower investment, giving them an edge in deck building efficiency and in-game utility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gridlock offers flexibility in its ability to stall multiple nonland permanents. It’s an excellent fit for any blue control or tempo deck looking to keep the opponent’s board frozen while advancing their own strategy.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that benefit from tapping or untapping permanents, Gridlock can be part of a powerful synergy, effectively becoming both a defensive and offensive tool within intricate combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where the battlefield can quickly become cluttered with creatures and artifacts, Gridlock serves as a timely response. It’s particularly useful when the meta is dominated by aggressive decks that deploy numerous threats early on.
How to beat
Gridlock is a tactical card that can stall opponents by tapping their nonland permanents, preventing them from untapping during their next untap step. When facing such a controlling strategy, the key to overcoming Gridlock lies in maintaining a versatile and swift deck. Utilize instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can nullify the threat before it locks down your essential permanents. Cards with the “flash” ability can also be incredibly effective, allowing you to wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to play creatures or enchantments, thereby dodging the effects of Gridlock.
Furthermore, having untap effects in your arsenal means you can free your permanents from Gridlock’s grip, keeping your game plan on track. Cards like Benefactor’s Draught, for example, can instantly untap all creatures, negating Gridlock’s impact and potentially drawing you a card in the process. Lastly, counter spells are always a trusty option; having them ready can ensure Gridlock never hits the board, preserving the pace and flow of your gameplay.
By anticipating Gridlock and incorporating responsive measures, you can navigate around this disruptive card, keeping the control in your hands and maintaining the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gridlock MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Gridlock and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Gridlock has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |