Snap MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return target creature to owner's hand. Untap up to two lands.
Good riddance.
Cards like Snap
Snap is an intriguing piece in the puzzle of mana-efficient spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to cards such as Unsummon for its ability to return creatures to their owner’s hand. However, Snap is unique with the added advantage of untapping up to two lands, which can be a significant tempo play. Unsummon doesn’t provide this additional perk, focusing solely on the creature bounce mechanic.
Contrasting Snap with Into the Roil reveals another layer of similarity and divergence. Both serve to disrupt opponents by bouncing permanents, but Into the Roil offers a kicker cost that allows card draw, elevating its potential impact in the game. Yet Snap’s appeal lies in its land-untapping mechanic, which essentially makes the spell free to cast if the lands untapped can produce at least two mana.
Evaluating these nuances reveals Snap’s strengths within the tempo-control strategy of Magic: The Gathering. Its cost-effectiveness and the indirect ramp it provides position it as a versatile spell in decks looking to maintain momentum and resource advantage.
Cards similar to Snap by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Snap. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Familiars | Pauper | Familiars | Pauper Preliminary 2024-05-02 | |
Mono-Blue Delver | Pauper | Mono-Blue Delver | Pauper League 2024-05-02 | |
Mono-Blue Faeries | Pauper | Mono-Blue Faeries | Pauper League 2024-05-05 | |
Mono-Blue | Pauper | Mono-Blue | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Snap allows players to return a creature to its owner’s hand, effectively removing an opponent’s threat or reusing one of your own creatures with a valuable enter-the-battlefield effect. This can tilt the balance of the game by disrupting your opponent’s board presence and bolstering your own strategy.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to the control element, Snap untaps two lands upon casting. This clever mechanic can be utilized to ramp up your resources, granting the opportunity to cast further spells in a single turn, effectively accelerating your gameplay and leading to potentially game-winning sequences.
Instant Speed: The fact that Snap can be played at instant speed enhances its strategic utility. It permits players to wait until the most opportune moment during the opponent’s turn before deciding the best course of action, be it countering a spell, casting another instant, or simply using the ability to optimize one’s board state without falling behind on resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Snap card obliges a player to discard two other blue cards or pay its mana cost, which can be a strategic setback during crucial game moments when hand presence is vital.
Specific Mana Cost: Snap demands two blue mana as part of its casting cost, thereby constraining its inclusion strictly within blue-based or two-colored decks that can consistently provide the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an alternative cost that can be steep, certain game situations may render Snap comparatively less efficient than other instant-speed interaction options available within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Snap in Your Collection
Versatility: Snap provides dual utility by not only returning a creature to its owner’s hand but also untapping up to two lands. This is incredibly useful in decks that leverage instant-speed spells or require high amounts of mana to activate abilities.
Combo Potential: This card can become a key piece in intricate combos, particularly in decks that focus on casting multiple spells in a single turn. By untapping lands, Snap potentially allows the casting of additional spells, aiding in achieving swift combo executions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by aggressive creature strategies, Snap can serve as an efficient temporary removal while simultaneously ramping. This flexibility makes it a strong choice against a variety of popular decks, keeping your plays reactive and fluent throughout the game.
How to beat
Snap is a unique and potent card that not only unsummons a creature but also untaps up to two lands. This dual functionality can give players a mana advantage while setting back the opponent’s board presence. To effectively counter this card, consider strategies that minimize the benefits Snap offers.
Employing instant-speed removal can be a smart move against Snap. This allows you to take out a threat before your opponent has the chance to return it to their hand, rendering Snap less beneficial. Additionally, utilizing creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects can also turn Snap’s advantage on its head, as replaying these creatures can offer you additional value.
Another tactic is to prioritize non-creature strategies which reduce Snap’s impact. By focusing on enchantments, planeswalkers, or spells that don’t rely on creatures, you limit the targets Snap can effectively interact with. Therefore, through thoughtful deck construction and strategic play, mitigating the advantages Snap provides is well within reach for resourceful players.
BurnMana Recommendations
The strategic depths of MTG never cease to amaze, and a card like Snap exemplifies the nuanced play that defines the game. Understanding the pros and cons of any card is crucial in piloting your deck to victory. Snap, with its dual functionality, stands out as a card to consider for its disruptive capacity and unexpected mana ramp. For players eager to maintain board control while keeping options open, Snap provides tactical flexibility at instant speed. Curious about integrating Snap into your blue-centered strategies or devising counters to this tricky spell? Dive deeper with us and master the ebb and flow of MTG gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Snap MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Magic Online Promos, 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 Snap 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 Snap Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 43 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 62441 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Véronique Meignaud | ||
3 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Véronique Meignaud | |
4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 498 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Véronique Meignaud | |
5 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 412 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Rorubei | ||
6 | The List | PLST | DDS-10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Véronique Meignaud | ||
7 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 66 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
8 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Commander | WOC | 110 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Snap has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Snap card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2022-12-08 | You choose which lands to untap as the spell resolves. They aren't targeted, and they don't have to be lands that you control. |