Thopter Arrest MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 25
2020-11-12 - Number 34
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Thopter Arrest enters the battlefield, exile target artifact or creature an opponent controls until Thopter Arrest leaves the battlefield.
The Consulate's eyes—unblinking, unsleeping—are everywhere.
Cards like Thopter Arrest
Thopter Arrest stands out in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal as a versatile removal option. It’s often compared to cards like Banishing Light and Oblivion Ring, all capable of exiling a nonland permanent an opponent controls. Thopter Arrest distinguishes itself by specifically targeting artifacts and creatures, thereby disabling decks that rely heavily on these card types. Meantime, Banishing Light offers a broader range, allowing you to exile any nonland permanent without restriction.
Another card worth comparing is the classic Pacifism. While Pacifism is cheaper and solely focuses on creatures, it doesn’t remove the creature from the battlefield, allowing opponents to use abilities or benefit from static effects. Thopter Arrest silences both abilities and combat potential. There’s also Cast Out, which includes cycling—offering card draw flexibility. However, it has a higher casting cost compared to Thopter Arrest.
Assessing such options is critical, as each card has nuances that could sway a game. Thopter Arrest’s ability to shut down certain threats makes it a favored pick in particular matches within Magic: The Gathering, asserting its place as a reliable control element.
Cards similar to Thopter Arrest by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thopter Arrest enhances your control by neutralizing a key threat on the battlefield. By removing an opponent’s creature or artifact, you effectively reduce their resources while maintaining your own, leading to a gradual accrual of advantage on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Thopter Arrest doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, demobilizing a potent mana-producing artifact or ramp creature can slow down your opponent’s resource acceleration. This subtle disruption can give you the upper hand as you continue to develop your board unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Although Thopter Arrest operates at sorcery speed, its impact is immediate and enduring. By exiling an opposing threat, it allows you to plan your moves without concern for that particular card, providing a strategic advantage that aligns with the value offered by instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thopter Arrest, while powerful, does not feature a discard mechanic. However, if we assess its role in a hand, having this card might lead a player to forgo other more immediately beneficial cards, affecting strategic hand management.
Specific Mana Cost: Thopter Arrest requires a combination of one white mana plus two other mana, which can pose a restriction. This specificity makes it a less flexible choice for multi-colored or colorless decks that might struggle with white mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating removal options, Thopter Arrest’s three mana cost can be considered high. In an environment where tempo is critical, there are alternative cards that offer similar effects at a lower mana cost, potentially giving an opponent less time to respond or recover from the setback.
Reasons to Include Thopter Arrest in Your Collection
Versatility: Thopter Arrest’s ability to neutralize problematic artifacts and creatures upon its casting makes it a versatile addition to white-based control decks or any decks looking for efficient removal options.
Combo Potential: As it permanently exiles the target until Thopter Arrest leaves the battlefield, it can synergize well with strategies that aim to manipulate permanents your opponents control, or with decks that capitalize on detain and exile mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with artifact and creature-heavy decks, Thopter Arrest can serve as a key piece of interaction. It’s especially relevant in metagames where opponents rely on specific creatures or artifacts to execute their game plan.
How to beat
Thopter Arrest is a versatile removal option in Magic: The Gathering, adept at neutralizing key creatures or artifacts. Understanding its dynamics can turn the tide in your favor during gameplay. This enchantment not only exiles a target creature or artifact upon entry but it also prevents it from triggering its abilities. To effectively counter Thopter Arrest, timing and strategic use of enchantment removal spells like Naturalize are essential. Deploying such a countermeasure when your opponent least expects it restores your key pieces, potentially reversing their tempo.
Resource management is another crucial aspect to outsmarting Thopter Arrest. In formats where it’s legal, deck building should anticipate removals, including having backups for your principal threats. This increases resilience against temporary setbacks caused by such exiling enchantments. Versatility in your deck’s answers ensures that a single Thopter Arrest doesn’t dismantle your entire strategy. Additionally, you can exploit moments when your opponent is tapped out or low on resources, minimizing the chances of Thopter Arrest disrupting your game plan.
Thus, while Thopter Arrest has the capability to severely impact the board state, a well-prepared player can navigate through its challenges. Incorporating enchantment removal and strategic play can help maintain dominance over opponents who rely on Thopter Arrest as a defensive lynchpin.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thopter Arrest MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Thopter Arrest 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 Thopter Arrest Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 34 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thopter Arrest has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thopter Arrest card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners’ graveyards. Any Equipment will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist. |
| 2017-02-09 | If Thopter Arrest leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, the target permanent won’t be exiled. |
| 2017-02-09 | If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won’t return to the battlefield. |
| 2017-02-09 | In a multiplayer game, if Thopter Arrest’s owner leaves the game, the exiled card will return to the battlefield. Because the one-shot effect that returns the card isn’t an ability that goes on the stack, it won’t cease to exist along with the leaving player’s spells and abilities on the stack. |
| 2017-02-09 | The exiled card returns to the battlefield immediately after Thopter Arrest leaves the battlefield. Nothing happens between the two events, including state-based actions. |