Prison Barricade MTG Card

Prison Barricade provides card advantage with potential graveyard recycling capabilities. Flexibility at instant speed allows for strategic defensive plays during combat. The card shines in its versatility and meta-relevance, thwarting aggressive early plays.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wall
Abilities	Defender,Kicker
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	25
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Thomas Gianni

Text of card

(Walls can't attack.) Kicker o1o W (You may pay an additional o1o W as you play this spell.) If you paid the kicker cost, Prison Barricade comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it and may attack as though it weren't a Wall.

Cards like Prison Barricade

Prison Barricade stands out among defensive cards in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to guard players against attacking creatures. Similar in its aim to the likes of Wall of Omens, Prison Barricade also serves as a blocker, but without the card-drawing capability of Wall of Omens upon entry.

Reflecting on Shield Sphere, another comparable card, offers cost-free placement on the battlefield, immediately providing a defensive option. Unlike Shield Sphere, Prison Barricade requires mana investment but compensates with a Reinforce mechanic, allowing it to bolster another creature instead of itself. Considering Wall of Glare, we find a wall capable of blocking numerous attackers, distinguishing itself from Prison Barricade, which can only handle a single attacker at a time unless reinforced.

Overall, Prison Barricade presents a versatile option for those seeking a defensive strategy with the added utility of strengthening other creatures as the game progresses. Its mixture of moderate cost and flexible reinforcement sets it as a unique choice for players building a strong defensive line.

Cards similar to Prison Barricade by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Prison Barricade contributes to maintaining a favorable balance of cards in hand. Having the option to recycle it from the graveyard means it can prove useful more than once, which is a solid way to aid in card advantage over the course of a game.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a form of resource acceleration, albeit indirect. By providing a defensive option that potentially saves life points or deters attacks, Prison Barricade can help preserve resources for more critical plays down the line.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash in Prison Barricade offers strategic flexibility. This instant speed deployment can be pivotal – it allows players to wait until the last possible moment to decide whether to introduce it to the battlefield or keep mana available for other potential actions during an opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Prison Barricade’s abilities may necessitate discarding a card, presenting a challenge when hand size is crucial to maintaining gameplay options.

Specific Mana Cost: A precise mana arrangement is required to cast Prison Barricade, possibly constraining it to deck types that can reliably produce the necessary colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With costs that might be seen as elevated for its defensive capabilities, Prison Barricade competes with other cards that could provide a more cost-effective defense or control alternative.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Prison Barricade can be a strategic inclusion in decks looking for flexible defense options. Its ability to ward off attacks early in the game, as well as its potential to contribute as a blocker when needed, makes it a versatile tool for many gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: For players that capitalize on defense mechanisms, Prison Barricade can synergize with cards that benefit from defenders or walls. It can become an integral part of a defensive combo that also protects your life points while setting up for a winning strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive early plays are common, having efficient defense cards like Prison Barricade can help stabilize your board, giving you an edge in the current competitive environment. It’s a solid choice for mitigating rush strategies and ensuring you survive to the later stages of the match.

How to beat

Prison Barricade is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, presenting a challenge for players aiming to break through defensive lines. Unlike some other walls, what makes Prison Barricade a tough nut to crack is its capacity to block multiple creatures as a defender due to its ‘bands with other creatures’ ability. This feature can turn it into an impervious obstacle for those unprepared.

To successfully overcome this card, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that bypass the traditional combat tricks. One effective method is employing spells that force sacrifice, as these do not rely on combat damage and can effectively remove barriers such as Prison Barricade without triggering its defensive banding capability. Another approach is to utilize enchantments or abilities that can tap or nullify defenders, ensuring they aren’t available to block. Additionally, leveraging flying creatures or using unblockable techniques can effectively sidestep the Barricade’s staunch defense, permitting direct attacks on your opponent’s life total.

Ultimately, outmaneuvering a Prison Barricade requires a balanced combination of strategic card play and maintaining a deck that can adapt to various defensive setups, keeping the pressure on your opponent even in the face of staunch resistance.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Prison Barricade MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Prison Barricade and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Prison Barricade has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Prison Barricade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2005-08-01	If the Prison Barricade is kicked, it enters the battlefield with the ability to attack as if it did not have Defender and will keep this ability until it leaves the battlefield.