The Toymaker's Trap MTG Card
2023-10-13 - Number 966
2023-10-13 - Number 72
2023-10-13 - Number 677
2023-10-13 - Number 375
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, secretly choose a number between 1 and 5 that hasn't been chosen. If you do, an opponent guesses which number you chose, then you reveal the number you chose. If they guessed wrong, they lose life equal to the number they guessed and you draw a card. If they guessed right, sacrifice The Toymaker's Trap.
Cards like The Toymaker's Trap
The Toymaker’s Trap is an intriguing addition to the roster of control cards in MTG. It can be likened to spells like Ethersworn Canonist, which also limit the number of nonartifact spells players can cast, reinforcing the concept of restraint in the game. While Ethersworn Canonist affects all players and is presented as a creature, The Toymaker’s Trap targets one opponent at a critical moment, potentially thwarting their well-laid plans suddenly.
Comparatively, Rule of Law exerts a similar influence on the battlefield by allowing only one spell a turn, shaping the tempo of play considerably. However, The Toymaker’s Trap carries the advantage of being an instant, enabling strategic surprise during an opponent’s turn. Another parallel can be drawn with Damping Sphere, which inherently disrupts strategies reliant on casting multiple spells or unleashing powerful mana combos. The Toymaker’s Trap introduces a temporary but potentially game-shifting disruption that leverages timing to the player’s advantage.
Overall, The Toymaker’s Trap does share some characteristics with these cards but stands out due to its instant speed and its potential to change the course of a game unexpectedly. It carves out its niche for players who value tactical control and timing in their MTG decks.
Cards similar to The Toymaker's Trap by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Toymaker’s Trap brings the potential for significant card advantage. Playing the card allows a player to possibly disable a key piece of an opponent’s strategy and replace itself in hand by drawing a card.
Resource Acceleration: By generating clues, food, or treasure tokens, The Toymaker’s Trap can boost your resources. These tokens can be crucial for ramping up your mana availability or providing other utilities to further your game plan.
Instant Speed: Its instant speed gives players the flexibility to wait and see how the turn unfolds before deciding to use it. This not only allows for more strategic plays but also keeps opponents guessing about what tricks you might have up your sleeve.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Toymaker’s Trap puts players in a tight spot with its discard requirement. Casting it means letting go of potentially valuable cards from your hand, a move that could set you back if your hand size is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck building can be a delicate art, and the specific mana cost of this card can constrain your creativity. Its necessity for a particular mana type forces you to design your deck around it, possibly at the expense of other strategic options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its allure, The Toymaker’s Trap comes at a cost that may give you pause. Its comparatively high mana cost is a heavy weight on your mana pool, which may slow you down in the race against decks that are built for speed and efficiency.
Reasons to Include The Toymaker’s Trap in Your Collection
Versatility: The Toymaker’s Trap can be a valuable addition to various deck types given its ability to disrupt opponent strategies. Its utility in sideboards or main decks makes it adaptable to multiple match-ups and formats.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, The Toymaker’s Trap can be a part of intricate combos. Its effect can be leveraged to potentially lock an opponent out of casting important spells, allowing for a decisive advantage in your gaming strategy.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the current competitive scene, The Toymaker’s Trap can shine against decks that heavily rely on noncreature spells. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a strategic card that can adapt and respond to evolving gameplay trends.
How to beat
The Toymaker’s Trap presents an intriguing defense mechanism within the world of Magic the Gathering. It’s a card that puts forward a formidable barrier to opponents’ creatures, aiming to deter attacks and preserve the player’s board state. Its utility is akin to that of other protective spells, but what sets The Toymaker’s Trap apart is its ability to change the course of combat with its captivating condition-showdown.
To navigate around this card, the optimal strategy involves utilizing removal spells that can preemptively deal with it before a showdown can turn the tide. Having a diverse array of instant-speed interaction ensures that you can adapt to The Toymaker’s Trap, disrupting its potential to disrupt your game plan. Timing is crucial; a sharp player will recognize the importance of acting swiftly to eliminate the threat it poses or strategically choosing not to engage with the opponent’s creatures while the card is in play.
Ultimately, careful planning and the inclusion of versatile removal in one’s deck can effectively counteract The Toymaker’s Trap, allowing for an unencumbered pathway to victory despite the obstacles it poses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Toymaker's Trap MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 The Toymaker's Trap and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The The Toymaker's Trap Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Eric Wilkerson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 966 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Wilkerson | |
| 2 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 72 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Wilkerson | |
| 3 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 677 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Wilkerson | |
| 4 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 375 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Wilkerson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where The Toymaker's Trap has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Toymaker's Trap card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-13 | If The Toymaker's Trap leaves the battlefield and later returns to the battlefield, it has no memory of which numbers were chosen for its effect before. The same is true if you control a second copy of it. |
| 2023-10-13 | To secretly choose a number, write a number from 1 to 5 down without showing it to anyone else. |