Soul Snare MTG Card


Enables card advantage by potentially removing multiple threats with a sole enchantment. Instant speed activation allows for strategic flexibility and surprise tactics during combat. Demands white mana and card discards which can limit its inclusivity in various decks.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

, Sacrifice Soul Snare: Exile target creature that's attacking you or a planeswalker you control.

"Body and spirit are sworn enemies. They will take any excuse to be rid of each other." —Tariel, Reckoner of Souls


Cards like Soul Snare

Soul Snare occupies a unique role among white control spells in Magic: The Gathering, especially within the repertoire of enchantments that prevent combat damage or remove attacking creatures. Soul Snare, with its conditional yet potent exile ability, often draws parallels with Condemn, another low-cost white spell that tucks an attacker away into its owner’s library rather than exiling it. While Condemn is instantaneous, Soul Snare requires a setup but can be a recurring deterrent.

Another card worth mentioning is Path to Exile, a staple in white removal which exiles any target creature at the added cost of granting the creature’s controller a basic land. Unlike Soul Snare, this spell doesn’t require the creature to be attacking to be effective. Finally, there’s Oblivion Ring, which can be used to exile any nonland permanent until Oblivion Ring leaves the battlefield, providing broader target options but at a higher mana cost than Soul Snare.

In the scope of MTG’s white removal spells, Soul Snare stands out for its flexibility and the mind games it can introduce during combat phases, making it a nuanced option for players who prize strategic depth and board control.

Condemn - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Condemn - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Soul Snare by color, type and mana cost

White Ward - MTG Card versions
Green Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Strength - MTG Card versions
Lance - MTG Card versions
Consecrate Land - MTG Card versions
Animate Wall - MTG Card versions
Black Ward - MTG Card versions
Blue Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Armor - MTG Card versions
Red Ward - MTG Card versions
Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Brainwash - MTG Card versions
Spirit Link - MTG Card versions
Green Scarab - MTG Card versions
Blue Scarab - MTG Card versions
Armor of Faith - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Armor - MTG Card versions
Flickering Ward - MTG Card versions
Limited Resources - MTG Card versions
Mask of Law and Grace - MTG Card versions
White Ward - MTG Card versions
Green Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Strength - MTG Card versions
Lance - MTG Card versions
Consecrate Land - MTG Card versions
Animate Wall - MTG Card versions
Black Ward - MTG Card versions
Blue Ward - MTG Card versions
Holy Armor - MTG Card versions
Red Ward - MTG Card versions
Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Brainwash - MTG Card versions
Spirit Link - MTG Card versions
Green Scarab - MTG Card versions
Blue Scarab - MTG Card versions
Armor of Faith - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Armor - MTG Card versions
Flickering Ward - MTG Card versions
Limited Resources - MTG Card versions
Mask of Law and Grace - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soul Snare grants you a form of card advantage by potentially dealing with multiple threats using a single enchantment. By staying on the battlefield until triggered, it deters opponents from committing their best creatures into play, indirectly providing you with a prolonged advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly act as resource acceleration in the traditional sense of adding mana, but it can be considered a form of tempo acceleration. By removing a significant threat with a low-cost enchantment, you effectively save the mana you might otherwise spend on more expensive removal spells. This allows you to deploy your resources more efficiently in developing your board presence.

Instant Speed: Soul Snare can be activated at instant speed, which provides significant flexibility. You can continue your game plan without having to leave mana untapped until it’s absolutely necessary. Also, this characteristic allows you to respond to combat or other trigger-based abilities, catching an opponent’s key creature at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate Soul Snare’s ability, a card must be discarded from your hand, which can potentially deplete your valuable resources prematurely.

Specific Mana Cost: Soul Snare’s activation is contingent upon white mana, potentially making it less versatile in multi-colored or colorless decks that may struggle to consistently produce white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its utility, Soul Snare’s cost may be seen as steep considering alternative removal options in the game, which could be more mana-efficient or offer additional benefits for a similar investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Soul Snare can be a perfect fit for various white-based control or combo decks, offering a simple yet efficient removal option. Its capacity to stay on the battlefield and deter opponents’ attacks adds a layer of strategy and threat management.

Combo Potential: It synergizes well with cards that benefit from enchantments entering or leaving the battlefield, providing both offensive and defensive combo possibilities. Moreover, as a low-cost spell, it facilitates enchantment recursion tactics and can be essential for a deck with a focus on such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where creatures are pivotal to game strategies, Soul Snare holds significance as a recurrent and resource-efficient removal card. It plays well against aggressive decks, offering a cost-effective method to deal with early threats, making it a relevant addition to decks looking to thrive in creature-centric metas.


How to beat

Soul Snare reigns as a tactical enchantment within the landscape of Magic: The Gathering that allows players to exile a threatening creature when they attack you or a planeswalker you control. While it’s a deterrent for opponents to swing in with their prized creatures, knowing how to navigate around Soul Snare is key to maintaining a robust offense. One of the simplest strategies is to utilize creature abilities that do not involve attacking, such as tapping for an effect or leveraging enter the battlefield triggers.

Another method is to bait out the Soul Snare activation with a less crucial creature, or to overextend the board with numerous threats, diminishing Soul Snare’s overall impact. Additionally, direct enchantment removal spells are your ace in the hole—cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can effectively neutralize Soul Snare before it has a chance to disrupt your game plan. Alternative spell-based interaction like counter spells can prevent Soul Snare from hitting the battlefield in the first place.

Ultimately, playing around Soul Snare comes down to a blend of strategic creature use, enchantment removal, and recognizing the opportune moments to commit to an attack. Proper sequencing and respectful treatment of Soul Snare’s presence will go a long way in dismantling an opponent’s defenses while keeping your pivotal creatures in play.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unveiling the strengths and optimizing counterplay against Soul Snare can shift the tide of any MTG match in your favor. Whether employed as a tactic to deter opposing forces or integrated as part of a larger strategy, understanding its nuances is key to dominating the board. We’re here to guide you deeper into the dynamic playstyle that Soul Snare can offer, shedding light on its potential when wielded by a savvy player or when facing it across the battlefield. Embark on a more comprehensive journey into the art of Magic strategy. Join us to discover how to enhance your deck and outplay your opponents with finesize precision.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soul Snare MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology, 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 Soul Snare and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Soul Snare Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 322003NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
22017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 242015NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
32018-08-09Commander 2018C18 762015NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
42021-04-23Commander 2021C21 1042015NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
52021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2662015NormalBlackEvyn Fong
62021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3871997NormalBlackEvyn Fong
72024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 852015NormalBlackCarl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soul Snare has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-06-18 If Soul Snare's ability targets a creature that's attacking a planeswalker you control, but that planeswalker is no longer on the battlefield as the ability tries to resolve, the attacking creature will be an illegal target and Soul Snare's ability won't exile that creature.
2021-06-18 Sacrificing Soul Snare is part of the cost to activate the ability. Once you activate the ability, no player can do anything to Soul Snare to stop you from activating it.