Stranglehold MTG Card


Stranglehold creates card advantage by preventing opponents from searching their libraries. It disrupts opponents’ resource acceleration and can be employed preemptively. Despite its higher mana cost, Stranglehold holds a high strategic value.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Your opponents can't search libraries. If an opponent would begin an extra turn, that player skips that turn instead.

The correct answer to a barbarian's riddle is to choke on your cleverness and die.


Cards like Stranglehold

Stranglehold is an intriguing card among the plethora of control options in Magic: The Gathering, bearing similarity to other cards that restrict opponents’ actions. For instance, Aven Mindcensor limits opponents by allowing them to only search the top four cards of their library when a search is activated. While both create significant restraints, Stranglehold extends its impact by entirely preventing opponents from searching libraries, which can be a more comprehensive obstruction.

In contrast, Maralen of the Mornsong offers a unique parallel as it forces each player to search their libraries, a stipulation Stranglehold stands to nullify, highlighting a compelling interaction between the two. Similarly, Leonin Arbiter is another card that speaks to the same theme; it requires players to pay additional mana to search their libraries, introducing a cost barrier as opposed to a total prohibition. Though not as absolute as Stranglehold’s effect, it adds a strategic layer of monetary decision-making to the act of searching.

Therefore, Stranglehold claims its niche in the realm of control cards, serving as a mighty tool for players looking to fully shut down typical search strategies, solidifying its position as a powerful choice for decks aiming to limit opponents’ tactical maneuvers.

Aven Mindcensor - MTG Card versions
Maralen of the Mornsong - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Aven Mindcensor - MTG Card versions
Maralen of the Mornsong - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stranglehold by color, type and mana cost

Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Aether Flash - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Antagonism - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Close Quarters - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Stensia Uprising - MTG Card versions
Visions of Phyrexia - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Aether Flash - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Antagonism - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Close Quarters - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Stensia Uprising - MTG Card versions
Visions of Phyrexia - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stranglehold ensures that your opponents are prevented from searching their libraries. This hampers their ability to gain access to specific cards, effectively creating a virtual card advantage as they are likely to draw less useful cards.

Resource Acceleration: By denying opponents the opportunity to search their libraries for land cards or specific combos, Stranglehold not only slows them down but can also disrupt potential acceleration, keeping you ahead in the resource game.

Instant Speed: While Stranglehold doesn’t operate at instant speed, its continuous effect can be pivotal, especially if played preemptively. It creates an ongoing advantage that can suppress opponents’ strategies that rely on specific timings and sequences. As a result, you maintain a tactical edge throughout the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The absence of a discard feature can sometimes be missed in a red strategy. Discarding can fuel graveyard synergies or enable madness, which Stranglehold does not take advantage of.

Specific Mana Cost: Stranglehold’s casting requirements demand two red mana, which necessitates a commitment to red within a player’s mana base, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to only certain types of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Stranglehold’s four-mana cost is on the higher side, which may not be as mana-efficient compared to other preventive or disruptive spells. This could make it a less favorable choice in faster-paced games where early board presence is crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stranglehold is not just a niche card, it has a place in numerous commander decks that aim to restrict opponents’ options. It’s a tool that can be seamlessly incorporated to enhance strategies that revolve around denying opponents from taking extra turns or searching their libraries, which are common tactics in various formats.

Combo Potential: This impactful red enchantment interacts well with cards that punish opponents for playing or not being able to execute certain actions, like “Mindlock Orb” or “Aven Mindcensor”. This opens up avenues for combo plays that can lock opponents out of the game and secure victory roads for players who leverage such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where players constantly seek to optimize their plays with tutors and extra turns, Stranglehold remains relevant by countering these strategies effectively. It’s especially potent in a competitive meta where such tactics are prevalent, making it a crucial piece in the arsenal of anyone looking to disrupt the status quo of their play environment.


How to beat

Stranglehold is a compelling red enchantment known to disrupt the flow of an opponent’s game plan in Magic: The Gathering. It relentlessly blocks opponents from taking extra turns or searching their libraries, a tactic often crucial in many strategies. Dealing with Stranglehold efficiently is key to reclaiming the pace of the game.

To move past Stranglehold’s constraints, you might want to consider direct enchantment removal. Cards such as Naturalize or Disenchant are classic, accessible solutions that can dismantle Stranglehold without delay. As an MTG player, it’s worth including such countermeasures in your deck to stay prepared for when red control elements emerge on the battlefield.

Another practical approach is to shift towards a strategy less reliant on searching the library or taking extra turns. Instead, prioritizing creatures with strong enter-the-battlefield effects or casting spells that draw cards directly can negate the disadvantage imposed by Stranglehold. Through careful deck construction and strategic gameplay adjustment, players can overcome the daunting presence of Stranglehold in their duels.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deep into the strategy of MTG often means understanding how to exploit your opponents’ weaknesses and fortify your own game plan. Stranglehold does exactly that by throwing a wrench in the finely-tuned engines of library searching mechanics and turns-based strategies. If you’re eager to learn how a card like Stranglehold can be instrumental in tipping the scales of power in your favor, look no further. Our in-depth guides and discussions revolve around elevating your knowledge and infusing your deck with cards that resonate with your playstyle. Solidify your game strategy and outmaneuver your opponents—join us in mastering the art of MTG control.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stranglehold 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 Stranglehold and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stranglehold Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by John Stanko.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1362003NormalBlackJohn Stanko
22017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 872015NormalBlackJohn Stanko

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stranglehold has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stranglehold 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 An “extra turn” means a turn created by a spell or ability. It doesn’t refer to a turn taken in a sanctioned tournament after the time limit for the round has expired.
2011-09-22 Effects that instruct your opponents to reveal or look at cards from the top of their libraries will still work. Only effects that use the word “search” are affected.
2011-09-22 If an effect says “Search your library . . . then shuffle your library,” your opponents shuffle their libraries even though they can’t search.
2011-09-22 If an effect says “You may search your library . . . If you do, shuffle your library” or “You may search your library . . . then shuffle your library,” your opponents can’t choose to search, so they won’t shuffle.
2011-09-22 If an opponent’s extra turn is created while Stranglehold is on the battlefield, but Stranglehold leaves the battlefield before that turn would begin, that opponent takes the extra turn as normal.