Narrow Escape MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 27
2010-03-19 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return target permanent you control to its owner's hand. You gain 4 life.
"A good explorer has to be as slippery as a gomazoa, as tough as a scute bug, and luckier than a ten-fingered trapfinder." —Arhana, Kazandu trapfinder
Cards like Narrow Escape
Narrow Escape represents an interesting niche within the suite of protection spells in Magic: The Gathering. It gives a creature not only a reprieve from imminent danger, but also offers a marginal life gain. This card echos the dynamics of other spells like Rescue, which allows a player to return a permanent to their hand, though without the life boost. Alternatively, we can look to spells like Unsummon, which also bounces a creature back to its owner’s hand but at a cheaper mana cost and without the life gain.
Another relative in this comparison is Justiciar’s Portal. Like Narrow Escape, this instant provides both a protective bounce effect and an additional benefit, in this case granting a fresh opportunity to exploit an “enter the battlefield” effect. However, it does so without the incremental life gain. Then there is Cloudshift, which is even more cost-effective and performs a similar function, but again, it omits the life-gaining bonus that comes with Narrow Escape.
Ultimately, when evaluating similar protective spells in MTG, Narrow Escape provides a well-rounded package of creature salvation tied to a subtle lifeline, presenting a solid option for players seeking to shield their forces while bolstering their own endurance.
Cards similar to Narrow Escape by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Narrow Escape offers players the chance to regain position in a game by returning a key creature to their hand, effectively shielding it from removal or enabling a reuse of enter-the-battlefield abilities.
Resource Acceleration: Once played, it provides an additional land on the field which can be pivotal for ramping up your mana resources and advancing your board state ahead of your opponents.
Instant Speed: This card operates at instant speed, providing the strategic advantage of responding to threats or unfavorable board states during your opponent’s turn, thereby preserving the element of surprise and maintaining tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Narrow Escape demands the discard of another card to cast it, putting players in a tight spot should their hand be running empty or holding crucial components for upcoming turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white mana and colorless mana, Narrow Escape can pose a challenge in multicolored decks that rely heavily on mana flexibility, potentially leading to untimely plays.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost sitting at the upper end for its return effect, players might find it cumbersome when facing options that rescue creatures from peril for less, allowing for more strategic play or mana allocation elsewhere.
Reasons to Include Narrow Escape in Your Collection
Versatility: Narrow Escape offers flexibility by providing life gain along with the ability to return a creature to the battlefield. This can be pivotal in decks centered around creature abilities or those seeking to bounce back from board wipes.
Combo Potential: With its ability to rescue and replay creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, Narrow Escape can seamlessly integrate into strategies aiming to exploit these triggers for significant advantage.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of removal spells in many competitive formats, having a card like Narrow Escape ensures that your key creatures have a second chance at impacting the game, potentially swaying the match in your favor.
How to Beat Narrow Escape
Narrow Escape serves as a lifeline in Magic: The Gathering, especially when a precious creature faces imminent destruction. It returns a creature to its owner’s hand and also confers a small life boost. To overcome this defensive play, strategies must be crafty and timing impeccable.
Effective countermeasures include proactive discard effects or hand disruption to ensure Narrow Escape never finds its moment. Cards like Thoughtseize impact your opponent’s hand directly, stripping away their safety nets. Alternatively, wait for an opponent to commit to casting it before using counterspell tactics. Disallow and Negate are prime examples of spells that can neutralize Narrow Escape and maintain your board advantage.
In essence, predicting and interrupting an opponent’s plans for Narrow Escape can considerably stifle their defensive maneuvers. Precision in timing and choice of disruption can anchor your strategy, turning the tides of a duel in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Narrow Escape MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Narrow Escape 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Narrow Escape Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 27 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Narrow Escape has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |