Ice Cage MTG Card

Ice Cage provides an efficient one-for-one trade, countering threats and achieving card parity. Its affordable casting cost allows for strategic mana allocation and dictating game tempo. Even with certain mana and speed limitations, the card’s control potential is undeniable.

Magic 2010 (M10)
2009-07-17 - Number 56

Magic 2011 (M11)
2010-07-16 - Number 57

Magic 2012 (M12)
2011-07-15 - Number 57

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be activated. When enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, destroy Ice Cage.

Cards like Ice Cage

The Ice Cage card notably serves as a control tool in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other cards in the game that aim to restrict an opponent’s creatures. Conjuring up comparisons, one might think of cards like Encase in Ice, which also freezes a targeted creature, inhibiting its abilities and attacking or blocking capabilities. However, Encase in Ice is specifically limited to red or green creatures, while Ice Cage does not discriminate, locking down any target regardless of color.

Comparatively, we examine Frost Lynx that, while not an enchantment, effectively taps a creature upon entering the battlefield. Although the impact is short-lived and doesn’t provide continuous lockdown like Ice Cage, its immediate effect can be advantageous in specific scenarios. Another card in this realm is Claustrophobia, which shares the same mana cost and similar functionality by keeping a creature perpetually tapped. Nevertheless, Claustrophobia is slightly more resilient against abilities that could inadvertently release a creature from Ice Cage’s grasp.

Summing up, Ice Cage’s versatility in targeting creatures of any color categorizes it as a formidable option for players seeking control mechanisms in Magic: The Gathering, striking a balance between restrictions and adaptability.

Cards similar to Ice Cage by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ice Cage, while not directly drawing cards, efficiently handles threats on the board, maintaining card parity. By neutralizing a target creature, it can effectively act as a one-for-one, stopping opponents from gaining the upper hand with their creatures, as long as the Cage remains on the field.

Resource Acceleration: Though Ice Cage doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost can be a form of indirect acceleration. By spending just two mana to lock down a potentially more expensive creature, you save resources for other spells and actions, which can lead to a more flexible and efficient mana utilization over subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: Ice Cage is an enchantment with the ability to be cast only at sorcery speed, which requires strategic planning. Despite this, it compensates by affecting the board as soon as it lands, which can be pivotal in disrupting your opponent’s game plan and retaining the tempo advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of Ice Cage is the potential for forced discard upon the enchantment’s destruction. If Ice Cage is removed, not only do you lose control over the target creature, but there are also no direct replacement effects or compensatory mechanisms, which can lead to a disadvantage in card economy.

Specific Mana Cost: Ice Cage requires both generic and blue mana to be cast, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks that may not consistently have the required blue mana sources available. This specific mana cost can be restrictive outside of mono-blue or blue-heavy decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ice Cage’s two-mana cost might seem reasonable for a creature-locking enchantment. However, in the current game meta, there are other control options available that can do more than just freezing a creature, including those with lower mana requirements or with added functionalities, making Ice Cage a less optimal choice in situations where mana efficiency is crucial.

Reasons to Include Ice Cage in Your Collection

Versatility: Ice Cage is an enchantment that can shut down various threats on the board. Whether it’s stalling a game-changing creature or temporarily removing a blocker, Ice Cage fits into decks that need to control the battlefield without committing many resources.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with other control pieces. While it doesn’t destroy the creature, it renders it useless, allowing you to set up your board or find a permanent solution at your leisure.

Meta-Relevance: Ice Cage gains importance in metas with creature-heavy decks. It’s an efficient way to deal with opponents who rely on a single, powerful creature to dominate the game, giving you time to establish a winning position.

How to beat

Ice Cage, a notable control card in Magic: The Gathering, can be a thorn in the side of many players with its ability to lock down a creature. But as with most obstacles in MTG, Ice Cage is not insurmountable. To navigate around this frosty enchantment, players can target their own creature with a spell or ability, which would break the Ice Cage’s delicate hold. This could be as simple as buffing your creature with a Giant Growth or using a utility spell like Shock, which serves the dual purpose of removing Ice Cage and priming your creature for combat or other strategic plays.

Another route to melting away this chilly hindrance is to bait your opponent into using a removal spell on the enchanted creature. This indirect approach can sometimes be more resource-friendly, preserving your own spells for later stages of the game. Additionally, cards that specifically deal with enchantments, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, can directly destroy Ice Cage, freeing your creature and allowing you to maintain your play rhythm and strategy without major disruptions.

Regardless of the chosen method, it’s clear that while Ice Cage may initially pause your plans, with the right strategy and card choices, you can resume your game plan unaffected by its icy embrace.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ice Cage MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2011, 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 Ice Cage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ice Cage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2011-07-15. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-07-17	Magic 2010	M10	56	2003	Normal	Black	Mike Bierek
2	2010-07-16	Magic 2011	M11	57	2003	Normal	Black	Mike Bierek
3	2011-07-15	Magic 2012	M12	57	2003	Normal	Black	Mike Bierek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ice Cage has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-10-01	If the enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, Ice Cage’s ability triggers and is put on the stack on top of that spell or ability. Ice Cage’s ability will resolve (causing Ice Cage to be destroyed) first.
2016-06-08	Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “ -ost: -ffect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.