Sleep Paralysis MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 87
2017-04-15 - Number 11
2019-07-12 - Number 75
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature When Sleep Paralysis enters the battlefield, tap enchanted creature. Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
Sleep doesn't always mean rest.
Cards like Sleep Paralysis
Sleep Paralysis stands out in the wide array of enchantment cards available to control aficionados in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to other enchantments like Claustrophobia, which also incapacitates a targeted creature by tapping it and preventing it from untapping during the controller’s untap step. Both create an effective lockdown, but Sleep Paralysis offers the added advantage of tapping the creature upon entering the battlefield, an immediate impact that could be a game-changer mid-combat.
Another card worth noting is Ice Over, which does a similar job of locking a creature or even an artifact down. However, unlike Sleep Paralysis, Ice Over does not tap the creature upon entry, which can sometimes buy crucial time for the opponent. Despite this, it comes with a lower mana cost. There is also Encrust, which not only prevents untapping but goes a step further by disabling activated abilities—a subtle but impactful difference for handling problematic creatures.
Each card offers strategic advantages depending on the situation, and Sleep Paralysis holds its own in this category due to its immediate impact on the battlefield, showcasing its utility in keeping opposing threats at bay efficiently.
Cards similar to Sleep Paralysis by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sleep Paralysis doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but by neutralizing an opponent’s creature, it effectively removes a card from their active resources. This can lead to card advantage as it frees up your creatures to attack or block without the neutralized threat, and may cause your opponent to use additional resources to handle the enchantment.
Resource Acceleration: While Sleep Paralysis doesn’t provide a traditional form of resource acceleration such as adding mana or tapping for resources, it helps maintain your tempo by stalling opponent threats. This in turn can indirectly accelerate your game plan by reducing the pressure on your resources, allowing you to allocate them towards developing your board or advancing your strategy without being set back by opposing creatures.
Instant Speed: Sleep Paralysis is a sorcery which means it cannot be played at instant speed. However, its ability to tap the enchanted creature and deny its untap phase mimics the surprise element of playing an instant by disrupting enemy plans during their next upkeep, potentially throwing off their strategy at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sleep Paralysis doesn’t make you toss cards from your hand, it is important to note that its tap-down effect does not immediately eliminate the threat. Opponents can still make use of abilities from the enchanted creature, which could turn the tides despite the seemingly advantageous position.
Specific Mana Cost: Having a double-blue in its casting cost means that Sleep Paralysis requires a heavy commitment to blue mana. This can potentially restrict deck building options and may not fit seamlessly into multicolor decks that need to manage a diverse mana base carefully.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total cost of three mana including two blue, Sleep Paralysis is considered somewhat costly for what it does. For the same amount or less, there are alternative cards that could provide a more permanent answer or affect the board in a more impactful manner. It’s crucial to weigh the benefits of immobilizing a creature against the need for tempo and board presence when considering this card for your deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sleep Paralysis is a flexible addition with its ability to neutralize any target creature, making it a great tool for blue control decks or any deck looking to create a tempo swing in their favor.
Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs well with bounce effects, allowing you to re-utilize the disabling effect on multiple creatures across the game, thus weakening your opponent’s battlefield presence.
Meta-Relevance: With creatures being a dominant force in various formats, having Sleep Paralysis can provide a decisive edge by taking key pieces out of your opponent’s strategies, especially in creature-intensive matches.
How to beat
Sleep Paralysis is an intriguing control card in Magic: The Gathering, capable of locking down your opponents’ key creatures. Much like Claustrophobia, it renders a creature unable to attack or block, effectively removing it from combat scenarios. But what sets Sleep Paralysis apart is its interaction upon casting, tapping the creature it enchants immediately, regardless of its previous state.
To navigate around Sleep Paralysis, instant-speed removal spells that can be played in response to the enchantment, such as Disenchant, are highly efficient. These spells allow you to remove the paralysis before it takes effect, freeing your creature to continue its assault or defense. Moreover, having creatures with hexproof or utilizing spells that grant hexproof will prevent your creatures from being targeted by such control spells altogether.
Understanding and employing these strategic countermeasures can turn the tide of a game. Thus, by being prepared with the right responses, Sleep Paralysis can be overcome, ensuring your creatures stay active and threatening on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sleep Paralysis MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Welcome Deck 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 Sleep Paralysis 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 Sleep Paralysis Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 87 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2017-04-15 | Welcome Deck 2017 | W17 | 11 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 3 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sleep Paralysis has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sleep Paralysis card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-12 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Sleep Paralysis tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. It won’t enter the battlefield, so its ability won’t trigger. |