Maze of Ith MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 117
2009-01-01 - Number 2
2011-01-02 - Number 2020C
2011-01-10 - Number 246
2012-08-31 - Number 10
2016-06-10 - Number 241
2020-08-07 - Number 322
2023-01-13 - Number 250
2023-01-13 - Number 398
2023-01-13 - Number 456
2002-06-24 - Number 36170
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
oc T: Target attacking creature becomes untapped. This creature neither deals nor receives damage as a result of combat.
Cards like Maze of Ith
Maze of Ith stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a land card with the unique ability to untap target attacking creature and prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by that creature. Its nearest counterpart is arguably Mystifying Maze, which similarly removes creatures from combat. However, Mystifying Maze’s effect comes with a four-mana activation cost, which can be a significant disadvantage compared to the free activation of Maze of Ith.
Another card that presents a similar control over combat is Kor Haven. While it shares the combat-damage prevention function, it adds a colored mana requirement and an activation cost, which can limit its application in certain decks. Ice Floe also offers control over creatures, but it only affects creatures without flying, making Maze of Ith more versatile and applicable to a wider range of situations.
In examining various options, Maze of Ith maintains a solid position as a non-mana-producing land card due to its cost-free activation and the strategic advantage it can provide by effectively neutralizing a threat each turn without additional resource expenditure.
Cards similar to Maze of Ith by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Maze of Ith. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Naya Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 |
 | Lands | Legacy | Lands | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) |
| Selesnya Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) |
 | 4c Depths | Legacy | Selesnya Depths | Legacy Preliminary 2024-04-19 |
| Mono-Green Depths | Legacy | Mono-Green Depths | Legacy League 2024-04-20 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Maze of Ith doesn’t strictly draw you cards but it provides an undeniable tactical advantage. By untapping your attacking creature, it effectively negates the need for a defensive card, maintaining your hand while disrupting the opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, Maze of Ith fits into plays that involve resource acceleration by freeing up your mana. You can commit to aggressive mana plays knowing that Maze of Ith will protect your assets on the field with no mana cost.
Instant Speed: Maze of Ith’s ability functions at instant speed, meaning you can untap targeted creatures at any point during combat. This flexibility allows you to adapt on the fly to the changing battlefield, keeping your opponents guessing and making it a versatile tool in any match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Maze of Ith doesn’t directly have a discard requirement, its absence of mana generation may force players to opt for resources they might otherwise need to discard. This can put a strain on a player’s hand, especially in decks that rely on card quantity.
Specific Mana Cost: Though this landmark card does not demand specific mana colors to activate its ability, its placement in a land slot can affect the color balance of your mana base. This consideration becomes critical in multi-colored decks where each land’s potential for color generation is vital.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Maze of Ith does not have a mana cost but takes up a valuable land spot on the battlefield. In decks where mana development is key, using a land slot for Maze of Ith can slow down your ability to cast spells with heavy color requirements or simply reduce the speed of play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Maze of Ith stands out for its ability to adapt to various in-game situations. Whether you’re up against aggressive creature strategies or looking to protect your valuable creatures, this card provides utility without occupying a spell slot in your deck.
Combo Potential: This card offers synergistic opportunities with abilities that trigger upon becoming untapped or that require tapping creatures without attacking. It is an enabler in multiple combo setups that exploit tapping and untapping mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that often features creature-centric decks, Maze of Ith holds its ground by effectively rendering an opponent’s attacker harmless for a turn. Its enduring presence in several formats keeps it as a relevant and powerful tool for control and combo decks alike.
How to Beat
Mastering the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering involves not only using your cards effectively but also countering your opponent’s strategies. The Maze of Ith is a land card that can be a real thorn in a player’s side, removing creatures from combat and negating potential damage without costing any mana.
To successfully navigate around the Maze of Ith, consider using land destruction spells or abilities to remove it from the battlefield. Cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can target and eliminate the Maze, mitigating its defensive utility. Another approach is to employ effects that limit the activation of abilities or deny untapping, rendering the Maze inert. Pithing Needle, for instance, can prohibit the activation of the Maze’s ability by naming it specifically.
In summary, while Maze of Ith can be a strong defensive card, its power is not absolute. Using targeted land destruction or ability-denying effects can effectively neutralize the Maze, ensuring that your creatures can continue their assault unhindered and maintain the momentum of your gameplay strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Maze of Ith MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Magic Online Promos, 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 Maze of Ith and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Maze of Ith Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 7 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 117 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36170 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | ||
| 3 | 2009-01-01 | Judge Gift Cards 2009 | G09 | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 4 | 2011-01-02 | Legacy Championship | OLGC | 2020C | 2015 | Normal | Black | Milivoj Ćeran | |
| 5 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 246 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 6 | 2012-08-31 | From the Vault: Realms | V12 | 10 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 7 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 8 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 322 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 9 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 250 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 10 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 398 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 11 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 456 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Maze of Ith has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Maze of Ith card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | Maze of Ith can target an untapped attacking creature. It will still prevent the combat damage it would deal and be dealt. |
| 2022-12-08 | Maze of Ith doesn’t have a mana ability. It doesn’t tap for colorless mana. |
| 2022-12-08 | The creature isn’t removed from combat; it just has its damage prevented. It’s still an attacking creature until the combat phase is complete. |
| 2022-12-08 | You can activate Maze of Ith’s ability targeting an attacking creature you control during the combat damage step or the end of combat step, even though it will already have dealt combat damage. This will untap the creature. The damage it dealt will be unaffected. |