Spidery Grasp MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 204
2017-04-28 - Number 188
2019-11-15 - Number 51
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Untap target creature. It gets +2/+4 and gains reach until end of turn. (It can block creatures with flying.)
"Nobody's seen the Lady of Videns for years. Poor dear, no companions at all in that old castle." —Yonda of Gavony
Cards like Spidery Grasp
Within the vast arsenal of combat tricks in Magic the Gathering, Spidery Grasp stands out for its utility and surprise factor. It finds peers in cards like Giant Growth, which also grants a temporary boost in power and toughness. While Giant Growth offers a significant +3/+3 advantage, Spidery Grasp provides a more modest +2/+4 boost but adds the crucial ability to untap the creature, enabling not only a defensive surprise but sometimes an unexpected secondary attack.
Comparatively, Titanic Growth overshadows Spidery Grasp in the power it confers, granting a creature +4/+4 until end of turn. However, it lacks the tactical flexibility of untapping the creature, a small but significant detail that can tip a match in your favor. Vines of the Recluse is another comparable card; it offers a similar untap effect with a smaller +1/+2 increase in stats but has the added benefit of granting reach, perfect for intercepting flying adversaries.
The strategic depth of these green instant spells in Magic the Gathering demonstrates the importance of not just the raw numbers, but also the additional abilities that can align with various play styles and situations. Spidery Grasp shines by balancing a stat boost with the element of surprise, a combination that can be pivotal in the heat of battle.
Cards similar to Spidery Grasp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spidery Grasp adds value by allowing you to untap your creature, potentially reusing it for blocking or activating its tap abilities again during the same turn.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, it can indirectly lead to resource gains by saving your creatures from removal, preserving your in-game assets.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Spidery Grasp at instant speed offers flexibility, letting you respond to threats or surprise your opponent by enhancing your creature during combat on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some combat tricks, Spidery Grasp doesn’t necessitate discarding cards. This perk is noteworthy when considering hand management and value over the course of a game.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes one green mana, decks that don’t run forests or mana-fixing may find incorporating Spidery Grasp challenging. This factor makes it a less flexible option for players pursuing multi-color strategies where green is not a primary color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of three mana, two generic and one green, Spidery Grasp’s cost may be deemed expensive by some. In fast-paced games or those where efficiency is paramount, players might look for lower-costing alternatives that can provide similar benefits without the weighty mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spidery Grasp enhances a variety of green decks with its ability to both untap a creature and give it a significant buff. This makes it ideal for surprise blocks or sudden attacks, offering tactical flexibility in gameplay.
Combo Potential: The card’s untapping ability pairs well with creatures that have tap-triggered abilities, potentially unlocking additional value each turn. It’s also useful for synergizing with cards that track how many spells you’ve cast, like prowess creatures or storm spells.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature combat is key, Spidery Grasp proves its worth by altering combat math dramatically. It’s especially relevant in formats where combat tricks can turn the tide of a tightly-contested battle.
How to beat
Spidery Grasp is a versatile instant in Magic: The Gathering that can catch opponents off guard, giving one of your creatures a surprise boost in power and untapping it, ready for defensive or offensive plays. To effectively counteract this spell, timing and anticipation are crucial. Keeping removal spells or abilities that can neutralize or bypass the enchanted creature’s enhanced stats is a savvy strategy.
Understand that players often use Spidery Grasp for a sudden block or during their attack phase for an unexpected power bump. Cards that can nullify abilities or remove creatures from combat altogether can serve as excellent counters to this card. Additionally, spells that prevent a creature from blocking or being blocked this turn are particularly useful, as they render the temporary buff from Spidery Grasp irrelevant, allowing you to secure a critical attack or avoid an unexpected defense.
Lastly, monitoring an opponent’s mana and keeping track of the possible instants they might play can give you the upper hand. By playing proactively and using your disruption at the right moment, you can ensure that Spidery Grasp doesn’t entangle your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spidery Grasp MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Amonkhet, 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 Spidery Grasp 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 Spidery Grasp Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2019-11-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 204 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 188 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 51 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spidery Grasp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spidery Grasp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | Spidery Grasp can target a creature that’s already untapped. It will still get +2/+4 and gain reach. |