Trade Secrets MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 118
2011-06-17 - Number 64
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target opponent draws two cards, then you draw up to four cards. That opponent may repeat this process as many times as he or she chooses.
Cards like Trade Secrets
Trade Secrets stands out in the realm of player interaction and card advantage within Magic: The Gathering. It shares a thematic link with other draw cards, but with a twist that involves both you and an opponent drawing cards. When looking at its close relatives, we see Notion Thief, which brings a different dynamic to the table – allowing you to capitalize on opponents’ card draws by rerouting them to yourself. However, Notion Thief doesn’t offer the mutual benefit that Trade Secrets does.
Ancestral Vision is another related card that boasts a significant card draw spell without costing any mana. Nevertheless, the comparison with Trade Secrets reveals a divergence in their deployment, as Ancestral Vision lacks the immediate impact, given its suspend mechanic. Conversely, Trade Secrets can accelerate your strategy by drawing multiple cards on the turn it’s played.
Both cards have unique roles, with Trade Secrets offering an immediate and mutual card advantage. It’s important to consider the potential drawbacks of aiding your opponent, as not every deck can capitalize on this effect equally. The strategic implications of this leverage can be immense, solidifying Trade Secrets as a nuanced and compelling option for card advantage.
Cards similar to Trade Secrets by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Trade Secrets shines in providing substantial card advantage. By allowing a player to draw two cards and offering the opponent the choice to do the same or not, this card can create a lopsided library depth, significantly benefiting the casting player.
Resource Acceleration: While Trade Secrets itself does not directly produce resources like mana or tokens, the influx of cards it provides can lead to a chain reaction of plays. It opens doors to drawing into ramp spells, lands, or other cards that can accelerate a player’s resources.
Instant Speed: This card’s instant speed flexibility is a pivotal pro. It enables reactive gameplay, giving a player the control to decide the most opportune moment to cast it, potentially in response to an opponent’s actions or at the end of their turn to maximize turn efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Trade Secrets requires a significant card sacrifice from both you and an opponent, which can backfire if your opponent has a way to leverage their graveyard or is holding less valuable cards.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands two blue mana, making it less flexible and potentially difficult to cast in multi-colored decks that aren’t heavily blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, which includes two specific mana, Trade Secrets’ immediate impact on the game might not justify the investment, especially if you’re behind on board presence.
Reasons to Include Trade Secrets in Your Collection
Versatility: Trade Secrets offers a dynamic edge in several deck types, aiding those that thrive on drawing cards and controlling the game’s pace.
Combo Potential: This card meshes well with strategies that capitalize on hand size or benefit from funneling multiple cards into the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where information is king and games are drawn out, the ability to significantly bolster your hand can be game-changing.
How to beat
Trade Secrets is a unique and potent card that can give unparalleled card draw advantage to your opponent in Magic: The Gathering. Facing this enchantment might seem daunting, given the edge in card access it provides. Nevertheless, crafting a strategy to overcome Trade Secrets is essential for any competitive player’s arsenal. This means adapting your play to foresee the potential card advantage it can grant your opponent and working to either prevent its activation or mitigate its impact through disruption.
Key tactics involve prioritizing instant-speed removal to address the enchantment before it can be used effectively, or leveraging counterspells to ensure it never hits the battlefield in the first place. Moreover, graveyard interaction can be a fruitful avenue; employing cards with graveyard shuffling abilities can trim the benefits gained from Trade Secrets. Discard strategies, too, can play a crucial role by removing key cards from your opponent’s hand before they have the chance to be played, thereby narrowing the advantage they could gain from their expanded card selection.
Remember, understanding the ebb and flow of card advantage is vital, as is recognizing when to apply pressure or when to hold back resources in anticipation of greater threats. Successfully overcoming Trade Secrets requires a blend of foresight, timing, and smart deck construction—elements at the heart of the competitive MTG experience.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trade Secrets MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Commander 2011, 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 Trade Secrets and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Trade Secrets Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2011-06-17. Illustrated by Ron Spears.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 118 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 64 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trade Secrets has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Banned |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Banned |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Banned |
| Penny | Legal |