Close Quarters MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	184
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Key Takeaways

Close Quarters enables creatures to deal damage in combat phases, allowing for card advantage if abilities coincide.
With Close Quarters, players can untap creatures, speeding up resource usage and enabling repeated tap abilities.
The enchantment’s combat-triggered ability offers surprise tactics, acting much like the effects of an instant.

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control becomes blocked, Close Quarters deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

The Mercadians' ineptitude in close combat sometimes accidentally pays off.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Close Quarters can put pressure on an opponent by enabling multiple creatures to deal damage when blocking or being blocked, potentially leading to drawing additional cards if the creatures have relevant abilities.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to untap creatures with Close Quarters can be utilized to accelerate your resources by allowing them to be used multiple times within a turn – specifically creatures that generate mana or have tap abilities.

Instant Speed: Close Quarters, being an enchantment, is not at instant speed itself. However, its effect triggers during the combat phase, which can create unexpected combat outcomes, much like the tactical play of an instant.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Close Quarters card demands a card discard just to activate its ability. This can put players at a distinct disadvantage, particularly when their hand size is key to their strategy’s momentum and they have fewer cards to spare.

Specific Mana Cost: A precise mana combination is necessary to play Close Quarters, specifically red mana. This confines the card’s versatility, making it a potential bottleneck in decks that require strict mana balancing or that are not focused on red mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana requirement to utilize its effect, Close Quarters may not be as cost-effective compared to other cards in the same mana range. Players might find themselves assessing whether the payoff justifies the investment, especially in formats where tempo and efficiency are paramount.

Reasons to Include Close Quarters in Your Collection

Versatility: Close Quarters offers a unique utility for decks designed around creature control. The ability to tap an attacking creature to deal damage to another target fits seamlessly into strategies that emphasize direct removal or creature-based tactics.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this enchantment can turn each creature you control into a potential threat, creating opportunities for combo plays by utilizing creatures with tap/untap synergies or with those that have abilities triggered upon dealing damage.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-heavy decks, Close Quarters can provide a significant edge, allowing you to clear opposing threats and maintain board control. This makes it a key card to consider for your arsenal, especially in metas where creature combat is prevalent.

How to beat

Close Quarters presents an interesting tactical situation in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. The enchantment may turn your creatures into legitimate threats not just in combat but also when they are blocked, enabling them to deal damage to the blocking creature’s controller. This extra layer of offense necessitates a thoughtful approach for those facing it.

The key to overcoming Close Quarters lies in minimizing creature combat. Relying on non-creature spells that can remove threats or using control strategies to avoid triggering the enchantment’s ability, like board wipes or exile effects, can effectively counteract it. A direct approach, such as using targeted enchantment removal, can swiftly turn the tides. These strategies help navigate the rough waters of Close Quarters, ensuring that the potential damage it can cause is mitigated or entirely prevented.

Understanding the importance of enchantment removal in a format where Close Quarters sees play is fundamental, as is having a well-considered deck capable of dealing with various threats without solely relying on combat. Balancing your deck construction with a mix of removal spells is a sound strategy to prepare for any enchantments that could turn the game against you.

Cards like Close Quarters

Close Quarters is a unique enchantment that blends combat with direct damage in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarity to cards like Power of Fire is evident, offering the ability to ping opponents or creatures after conducting combat. Unlike Power of Fire, which requires tapping the enchanted creature, Close Quarters enables the damage effect post-combat regardless of the creature’s state, expanding strategic possibilities.

Analogous in spirit, we have cards like Goblin Sharpshooter, which allows for untapped potential as it dishes out damage after each creature demise. However, the Sharpshooter is more synergistic with creature-heavy strategies and doesn’t rely on the combat phase. Comparatively, we have Fire Whip, another enchantment providing your creature with a tap ability to deal damage. While Fire Whip allows for immediate damage without needing to attack, Close Quarters can potentially deal more damage over the course of multiple combat phases.

Evaluating these similar options, Close Quarters stands out for players who favor continuous combat-centric interactions. Its capacity to turn every attacker into a potential source of damage post-combat gives it a distinctive edge in aggressive MTG strategies.

Cards similar to Close Quarters by color, type and mana cost

Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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