Leonin Bladetrap MTG Card


Leonin Bladetrap allows for instant-speed creature control, offering a critical edge in combat situations. Its activation comes at a cost of discarding a card, which may affect hand advantage and strategy. Flexible in various decks, it proves invaluable against aggressive strategies that rely on creature swarms.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Flash

Text of card

You may play Leonin Bladetrap any time you could play an instant. , Sacrifice Leonin Bladetrap: Leonin Bladetrap deals 2 damage to each attacking creature without flying.


Cards like Leonin Bladetrap

Within the realm of trap and surprise cards in Magic: The Gathering, the Leonin Bladetrap card stakes its claim with a unique blend of flexibility and defensive capabilities. It bears certain similarities to cards like Sunblast Angel, which also deliver a powerful effect against tapped creatures. However, Leonin Bladetrap does this at instant speed, enabling it to be a cunning defensive weapon during your opponent’s turn.

Comparatively, AEtherize stands out as another card that disrupts opponents by returning their attacking creatures to their hand rather than destroying them. This card offers a more universal solution, though without the targeted precision that Leonin Bladetrap provides. Conversely, when looking at cards like Circle of Flame, which deters attackers by dealing damage before combat resolves, players find that Leonin Bladetrap’s potential for outright eradication of attackers can be a more definitive answer to immediate threats.

Assessing their strategic uses, Leonin Bladetrap is a card that blends seamlessly into decks that aim to outmaneuver aggressive strategies, allowing its wielder to maintain control. It’s the kind of card that commands a respect for positioning and timing, making it a valuable addition to decks that thrive on battlefield control.

Sunblast Angel - MTG Card versions
Circle of Flame - MTG Card versions
Sunblast Angel - MTG Card versions
Circle of Flame - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Leonin Bladetrap by color, type and mana cost

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Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Leonin Bladetrap offers a strategic edge in games by potentially removing multiple creatures from the opposing side. This can shift the balance in your favor by reducing the enemy’s battlefield presence while maintaining your own card resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a deterrent, forcing opponents to think twice before committing too many creatures to the board. While it doesn’t directly increase your mana, it contributes to resource acceleration by potentially saving the mana you might otherwise use for multiple removal spells.

Instant Speed: The capacity to activate Leonin Bladetrap at instant speed adds an element of surprise and flexibility to your gameplay. Being able to wait until the last possible moment can give you significant tactical advantages, allowing you to respond to threats immediately and efficiently.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Being forced to discard a card to activate the Leonin Bladetrap’s ability could set players back, especially in situations where hand size is critical to maintaining a competitive edge. This can make it a risky play if your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Leonin Bladetrap requires a precise mana setup to cast. Its particular combination of one colorless and one white mana might not fit seamlessly into multicolored or mana-flexible deck builds, potentially hampering its inclusion in some strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its total casting cost sitting above some other trap options or removal spells in the game, Leonin Bladetrap comes at a premium. This can affect tempo for players who need to maintain a fast pace or deploy multiple threats within the early stages of the game.


Reasons to Include Leonin Bladetrap in Your Collection

Versatility: Leonin Bladetrap offers a unique addition to any deck seeking defensive flexibility. As an artifact, it can easily slot into various deck archetypes, providing a way to disrupt opponents’ combat strategies.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to spring a surprise on an attacking opponent means it pairs well with decks that focus on maintaining board control. It can be a crucial component in a defensive combo, dissuading opponents from committing to full attacks.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the pace of current gameplay, Leonin Bladetrap’s utility shines against aggressive creature-based strategies. Its presence can tilt the scales in matchups where early threats need to be contained efficiently.


How to beat

Leonin Bladetrap is a nifty tool that often catches players off guard in Magic: The Gathering matches. Its ability to spring into action when an opponent has three or more creatures attacking can present a sudden roadblock, potentially disrupting combat plans. The key to outmaneuvering this trap card lies in cautious play and maintaining awareness of your opponent’s untapped mana and cards in hand.

One possible strategy is to bait out the Bladetrap by attacking with fewer creatures initially, preserving your stronger attackers for later in the game when you may have enchantment removal ready to disarm the trap. Alternatively, you can prioritize creatures with abilities that protect them from being destroyed, such as indestructible or protection from artifacts, to dull the blade’s edge.

Overall, while Leonin Bladetrap can tilt the battlefield in your opponent’s favor, it is far from unbeatable. With a mix of strategic combat, enchantment removal, and resilient creatures, you can effectively neutralize this sneaky surprise and maintain the upper hand in your duels.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Leonin Bladetrap MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Commander 2013, 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 Leonin Bladetrap and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Leonin Bladetrap Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 1922003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 2452003NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 2192015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leonin Bladetrap has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.