Arrest MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Arrest excels at countering creatures by removing their abilities and combat potency without triggering death effects.
  2. Considering its three-mana cost, Arrest’s efficiency compared to other removal options remains a hot debate.
  3. While Arrest restricts deck flexibility due to its white mana requirement, it shines in control-based strategies.

Text of card

Enchanted creature can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be played.

Orim had no memory of the previous night—the first thing she could remember was waking up with the dead guard's blood on her hands.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Arrest, you effectively remove an opposing threat without causing it to leave the battlefield, preventing any death triggers and minimizing their options.

Resource Acceleration: While Arrest doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it aids in keeping your mana spent on board control to a minimum, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Arrest does offer flexibility in timing since it can be played during your main phase, allowing you to efficiently manage your mana and plan your turns ahead.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Arrest doesn’t necessitate a discard, but it’s crucial for players to understand that similar control cards might, potentially putting them at a resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Running Arrest in a deck requires dedication to white mana, making it less flexible across different deck archetypes which may not prioritize or support white mana as readily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, the efficiency of Arrest is debatable. There are removal options available that cost less and might offer equally impactful board presence disruption.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Arrest is a flexible enforcement tool, capable of neutralizing a wide array of threats without permanently removing them from the game. Its ability to shut down almost any creature makes it a flexible addition to any deck that seeks to control the board.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with other control elements, enabling players to lock down the most vital components of an opponent’s strategy. Its enchantment nature also complements decks that can recur or copy such effects for sustained dominance.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-based strategies often at the heart of many decks, Arrest can significantly hamper an opponent’s pace. In a meta where formidable creatures are key to victory, having Arrest in your toolkit ensures you’re prepared to face a wide variety of competitive decks.


How to beat

Arrest is a tricky enchantment to navigate around in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to neutralize the threats posed by formidable creatures without actually removing them from the battlefield, Arrest can be a real thorn in any player’s side. The card essentially renders the targeted creature unable to attack, block, or trigger its abilities, which can potentially shut down an opponent’s game plan.

To effectively overcome Arrest, one must think strategically. Utilize enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize, which are straightforward and efficient ways to dispatch the confinement Arrest imposes. Another tactic is to rely on creatures with hexproof or shroud, such as Slippery Bogle or Invisible Stalker, to prevent Arrest from latching on in the first place. Alternatively, cards like Ray of Revelation offer not only a way to destroy Arrest but also come with flashback, giving you a second chance if needed. Keeping flexibility in your deck to address enchantments will ensure that an Arrest doesn’t spell the end of your match.

Knowing how to dismantle these kinds of roadblocks is crucial for maintaining the tempo of your strategy and ensuring that your most powerful creatures remain a threat on the board, even when opponents bring control elements like Arrest into play.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG is a journey of strategy and skill refinement. Arrest has the potential to be an impactful card in your deck, offering control and board management that can tip the scales in your favor. Knowing when to deploy its ability to sideline key threats can be a game-changer. We encourage you to expand your deck’s capabilities and prepare for the evolving battlefield with tools like Arrest. Curious about weaving this card into your winning strategies or finding alternatives that suit your playstyle better? Dive deeper with us and enhance your MTG prowess one card at a time.


Cards like Arrest

The card Arrest, a staple in control decks across various Magic: The Gathering formats, brings a unique take on neutralizing threats. Comparable to other removal spells, Arrest shines by effectively sidelining a creature without destroying it, preventing abilities from being activated and blocking its combat participation. In contrast, cards like Pacifism also prevent creatures from attacking or blocking but do not stop their abilities, a significant tactical difference.

Then, there’s the enchantment Oblivion Ring, which not only exiles any nonland permanent when it enters the battlefield but also returns that permanent once the Ring leaves the playfield. This offers a more temporary solution compared to Arrest’s lasting effect so long as the enchantment remains. Another similar card, Banishing Light, mirrors the mechanics of Oblivion Ring but with a more current card text that targets opponents’ threats. Despite these differences, Arrest provides the certainty that the creature will remain on the battlefield, unable to influence the game—an assurance the others can’t provide.

In summing up, Arrest holds its own among creature neutralization options in Magic: The Gathering. Its specificity in handling creatures gives players an edge in complex board states, maintaining a strong presence amidst its alternatives.

Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Banishing Light - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - Mirage (MIR)
Oblivion Ring - Lorwyn (LRW)
Banishing Light - Journey into Nyx (JOU)

Cards similar to Arrest by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Mobilization - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - Antiquities (ATQ)
Farmstead - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Cooperation - Ice Age (ICE)
Noble Steeds - Alliances (ALL)
Aura of Silence - The List (PLST)
Empyrial Armor - Weatherlight (WTH)
Pariah - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Cessation - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Glorious Anthem - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Samite Sanctuary - Prophecy (PCY)
Tattoo Ward - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparring Regimen - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Shielded by Faith - Signature Spellbook: Gideon (SS2)
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Oblivion Ring - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)
Cage of Hands - Commander Legends (CMR)
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - The List (PLST)
Guardian's Magemark - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Celestial Dawn - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Mobilization - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arrest MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Mirrodin, 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 Arrest and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Arrest Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 6 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 41997normalblackDan Frazier
22003-10-02MirrodinMRD 22003normalblackTim Hildebrandt
32010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 22003normalblackDaarken
42011-05-14Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New PhyrexiaTD2 322003normalblackDaarken
52012-01-01IDW Comics InsertsPIDW 52003normalblackChristopher Moeller
62012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 32003normalblackGreg Staples
72015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 92015normalblackDaarken
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 262015normalblackDaarken
92020-09-26The ListPLST MM2-92015normalblackDaarken
102022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 522015normalblackCanata Katana

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arrest has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
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.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks