Pitfall Trap MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 32
2017-03-17 - Number 18
2019-11-07 - Number 200
2020-09-26 - Number MM3-18
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant — Trap |
Text of card
If exactly one creature is attacking, you may pay rather than pay Pitfall Trap's mana cost. Destroy target attacking creature without flying.
Each spike is poisoned—the trapmaker's idea of mercy.
Cards like Pitfall Trap
Pitfall Trap brings a unique dynamic to removal options in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, comparable to other white instant traps like Divine Verdict and Condemn. Standing alongside these cards, Pitfall Trap offers the advantage of potentially being cast for free if an opponent’s creature declared an attack that turn. This surprise element can be a game-changer in combat scenarios.
Divine Verdict shares the removal aspect but at a higher mana cost and without the conditional free casting, making Pitfall Trap a more flexible option in tight situations. Then there’s Condemn, which excels in its lower regular casting cost and the ability to deal with attackers by placing them on the bottom of an opponent’s library but it lacks the free casting condition that defines the strategic use of Pitfall Trap.
When comparing these cards, Pitfall Trap emerges as a tactically versatile tool, especially valuable in games where opponents are aggressive with their creatures. The element of surprise and the potential for zero casting cost give it an edge in certain metagames or deck builds looking to outsmart opponent’s offenses.
Cards similar to Pitfall Trap by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the context of Pitfall Trap, the advantage lies in its potential to eliminate an attacking or blocking creature without losing a card yourself. This shifts the balance of resources in your favor, as you remove an opponent’s threat while keeping your card count steady.
Resource Acceleration: While Pitfall Trap doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration like a mana rock or ramp spell, it saves your precious mana. Thanks to its trap condition, you might cast it for a single white mana, keeping your other resources free for additional plays or counterspells, and outpacing your adversary in the race for board presence.
Instant Speed: One of Pitfall Trap’s compelling attributes is its instant speed, permitting reactive gameplay that keeps opponents guessing. You hold the power to disrupt combat math, eliminate key creatures in the heat of combat, or simply retain the element of surprise, all of which can turn the tide of a match decisively in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unleash the potential of Pitfall Trap, players have to meet a specific condition that might not always be advantageous. It’s an additional hurdle that demands strategic foresight and could result in a loss of valuable hand presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Pitfall Trap necessitates both generic and white mana for activation. This specific combination can restrict deck-building options, confining it to certain archetypes or mana bases that can reliably produce the required white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the overall mana efficiency, Pitfall Trap’s cost may be seen as steep for its delayed removal effect. There are various alternatives that could eliminate creatures for less or offer additional benefits, which might overshadow the Trap in a competitive setting.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pitfall Trap offers flexible responses, capable of fitting seamlessly into defensive strategies and control decks. Its ability to neutralize attackers can be a game-changer in tight situations.
Combo Potential: When synergized with cards that care about traps or when surprise is on your side, Pitfall Trap’s ability to eliminate a creature for a minimal cost can pave the way for devastating board control combos.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive creature-based strategies dominate, having Pitfall Trap in your arsenal ensures you have a cost-effective method to disrupt your opponent’s tempo and turn the tide in your favor.
How to Beat Pitfall Trap
Pitfall Trap is a utility card that can disrupt the battlefield by removing an attacking creature when certain conditions are met. This card serves as a defensive tool, waiting in the wings until an opponent commits to an aggressive move. However, savvy players can navigate around its constraints. One effective method is ensuring that you’re aware of your opponent’s mana availability; the Trap can be sprung for less if you’ve declared three or more creatures as attackers.
Another strategy to overcome Pitfall Trap is by employing bait tactics, like sending in expendable creatures to trigger the Trap before deploying more significant threats. Additionally, having an awareness of open mana that could signal the Trap is key to playing around it. Keeping instant-speed enchantment removal or counterspells in your deck can give you the upper hand against such hidden strategies. Using creatures with hexproof or shroud can also nullify Pitfall Trap’s effect since they can’t be targeted by spells or abilities your opponent controls.
When faced with Pitfall Trap, adjustment of your attack patterns and careful consideration of the board state are paramount. Recognizing the situations where Pitfall Trap could be waiting and outmaneuvering your opponent’s strategy will allow you to maintain the upper hand, regardless of the traps they’ve set.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pitfall Trap MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Pitfall Trap 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 Pitfall Trap Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 32 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 200 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | MM3-18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pitfall Trap has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pitfall Trap card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or converted mana cost. The only difference is the cost you actually pay. |
| 2009-10-01 | Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay. |
| 2009-10-01 | You may ignore a Trap’s alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met. |