Isolation Zone MTG Card

Control the game by exiling significant threats, disrupting opponent strategies. Preserves resources and accelerates your tempo by using only one card. Flexible, it fits various decks and counters present meta-dominating cards.

Isolation Zone - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 22

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 143

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number OGW-22

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment

Text of card

When Isolation Zone enters the battlefield, exile target creature or enchantment an opponent controls until Isolation Zone leaves the battlefield. (That permanent returns under its owner's control.)

When properly aligned, hedrons become powerful tools of binding.

Cards like Isolation Zone

Isolation Zone is a versatile removal choice within Magic: The Gathering, finding its peers in cards like Banishing Light and Oblivion Ring. These enchantments share the ability to exile other nonland permanents, providing a temporary solution to threats on the battlefield. Isolation Zone’s main difference lies in its mana cost and the specific types of cards it targets. Unlike Oblivion Ring, which can exile any nonland permanent, Isolation Zone is restricted to exiling only creatures and enchantments.

Another comparative card is Stasis Snare, which also exiles a target creature. However, Stasis Snare has a distinct advantage with its flash ability, permitting you to cast it any time you could cast an instant, thus allowing for greater flexibility and tactical surprise during your opponent’s turn. This difference can turn the tide of a game, presenting an unpredictable element compared to the more predictable sorcery speed of Isolation Zone.

In analyzing their roles in deck construction and gameplay, each card stands out based on the situation and deck synergy. While Isolation Zone may not be as flexible as Stasis Snare or as universal as Oblivion Ring, it is a reliable and affordable option for localized removal in White-based control decks within Magic: The Gathering.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Isolation Zone enables you to control the battlefield by removing an opponent’s significant threat. Whether it’s a troublesome creature or an enchantment that’s giving you grief, taking that card out of play can often swing the game in your favor, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and giving you a significant edge.

Resource Acceleration: Although Isolation Zone doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in terms of mana or card draw, it acts as a form of tempo acceleration. By efficiently dealing with a permanent using only one card, you preserve your other resources, allowing you to develop your board unhindered and maintain or even accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Isolation Zone doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to exile a creature or enchantment upon entering the battlefield makes it a valuable asset during your main phase. This opens up the opportunity to safely deploy it after combat or when the most advantageous target presents itself, ensuring you maximize its impact on the game state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Isolation Zone demands a permanent spot on the board, which could be a setback when you’re aiming to maintain a diverse set of options in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: At two white mana to cast, Isolation Zone’s requirement can be stringent, limiting its integration to decks heavily focused on white mana or those with a mana base tailored to accommodate such costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of four mana, this enchantment can be considered costly for its exile effect, especially when compared to other removal spells in MTG that may offer a lower casting cost or additional flexibility.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Isolation Zone is remarkably flexible, fitting seamlessly into various decks that need an efficient answer to both creatures and enchantments on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card, with its ability to neutralize key pieces on your opponent’s side, can work beautifully in combinations that clear the way for your game-winning strategies.

Meta-Relevance: As decks with powerful creatures and enchantments often dominate the play environment, having Isolation Zone in your collection ensures you’re prepared to handle what’s currently in vogue.

How to Beat Isolation Zone

Isolation Zone is a versatile removal spell in Magic: The Gathering that can disrupt your board presence by exiling target creature or enchantment. It’s a common stumbling block that can be found across various Limited formats, similar to other removal spells like Oblivion Ring. Despite being a non-permanent solution, the way Isolation Zone can conditionally clear the path for an aggressive strategy makes it potent.

To strategically overcome Isolation Zone, focus on cards with enter-the-battlefield effects or ones that provide value even in the absence of the exiled card. Consider deploying creatures that can benefit from being in the graveyard to sidestep the setback, such as creatures with the persist ability or those that can be reanimated. Enchantment removal spells, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, can effectively counter Isolation Zone, returning your exiled cards to play. Moreover, cards with hexproof or shroud can be invaluable, as they are immune to targeted removal spells like Isolation Zone.

In essence, while Isolation Zone poses a challenge, it can be outmaneuvered with the right strategy and card choices, allowing players to maintain strategic flexibility and board control.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Isolation Zone MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Mystery Booster, 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 Isolation Zone and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Isolation Zone Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch	OGW	22	2015	Normal	Black	Chris Rallis
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	143	2015	Normal	Black	Chris Rallis
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	OGW-22	2015	Normal	Black	Chris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Isolation Zone has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	Auras attached to the exiled creature or enchantment will be put into their owners’ graveyards. Any Equipment will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist.
2016-01-22	If Isolation Zone leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target creature or enchantment won’t be exiled.
2016-01-22	If a token is exiled, it ceases to exist. It won’t be returned to the battlefield.
2016-01-22	In a multiplayer game, if Isolation Zone’s owner leaves the game, the exiled card will return to the battlefield. Because the one-shot effect that returns the card isn’t an ability that goes on the stack, it won’t cease to exist along with the leaving player’s spells and abilities on the stack.
2016-01-22	The exiled card returns to the battlefield immediately after Isolation Zone leaves the battlefield. Nothing happens between the two events, including state-based actions.