Trapped in the Tower MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2019-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Throne of Eldraine |
| Set code | ELD |
| Number | 33 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Howard Lyon |
Text of card
Enchant creature without flying Enchanted creature can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be activated.
"At least up here I have some peace and quiet."
Cards like Trapped in the Tower
Trapped in the Tower belongs to a unique group of enchantment cards that disable creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like the card Pacifism, Trapped in the Tower renders the enchanted creature unable to attack or block, significantly hindering your opponent’s board presence. However, Trapped in the Tower has a distinct limitation – it can only be attached to creatures without flying, contrasting with Pacifism’s broader application.
Another card in the same category is Darksteel Mutation, which incapacitates any creature, while also changing it into an indestructible creature with no abilities. While it’s a surefire way to neutralize even the most powerful of monsters, it lacks the flying restriction that characterizes Trapped in the Tower.
Diving deeper into comparisons, Bound in Gold also shares similarities, preventing not just attacking or blocking but also the use of activated abilities. The slight edge comes from its ability to affect any creature, regardless of flight. Evaluating these options, Trapped in the Tower has its niche, but when it comes to versatility, some of its counterparts may offer broader control over the battlefield dynamics.
Cards similar to Trapped in the Tower by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Trapped in the Tower provides a notable advantage by removing an opponent’s creature from combat without costing you any card loss. This enables you to maintain a comfortable level of resources while potentially hindering your opponent’s game plan.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, Trapped in the Tower allows you to use your mana more effectively. By neutralizing a threat, you can allocate resources elsewhere, potentially accelerating your board state without further investment.
Instant Speed: Although Trapped in the Tower is an aura that operates at sorcery speed, its effect is akin to an immediate response to an opponent’s creature. By locking down a creature as soon as it becomes an issue, you effectively disrupt your opponent’s tempo, which can be as valuable as playing an actual instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though not requiring a card to be discarded, Trapped in the Tower does demand the presence of a creature to target. This can be a limiting factor when you are facing decks with fewer creatures or ones that employ hexproof or shroud abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Trapped in the Tower has a purely white mana cost. While this makes it a good fit in mono-white or two-color decks, it limits flexibility in more diverse mana bases and may be a hindrance in multicolored decks that rely on a tighter mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Needing two mana, including one white, to effectively remove an opposing creature without flying from combat poses a drawback. Especially so when considering lower-cost options or those that offer additional abilities may provide more value and versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include Trapped in the Tower in Your Collection
Versatility: Trapped in the Tower is a flexible removal spell that can be a useful tool in a variety of white decks. With its ability to neutralize opposing creatures without flying, it becomes a budget-friendly control piece, suitable for pauper formats or as a sideboard card in limited play.
Combo Potential: This enchantment can work well in synergy with other cards that capitalize on tapping and untapping mechanics or those that benefit from having a number of enchantments on the field. It’s a great fit for decks that look to exploit such interactions for a more robust strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments with fewer creature removals or where evasion abilities like flying are less common, Trapped in the Tower can severely hamper your opponent’s tactics. It shines particularly well in a meta where ground-based creature strategies are prevalent, thereby disrupting opponents without hefty cost investment.
How to beat
Trapped in the Tower is a nuanced enchantment card that can impede your creature’s ability to contribute to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to pacifism effects that restrict creatures without outright destroying them. The catch with Trapped in the Tower is its restriction to non-flying creatures, making it less versatile than some similar cards like Pacifism or Arrest, which do not have this limitation.
To navigate around Trapped in the Tower’s constraints, enhancement of your creatures’ abilities could be key. Consider employing cards such as Blink of an Eye or other bounce effects that can return your ensnared creature or the enchantment itself to your hand, thus freeing your creature. You might also use enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize to directly dispose of Trapped in the Tower. Alternatively, employing creatures with flying or simply choosing not to rely heavily on susceptible non-flying creatures could offer a strategic advantage, ensuring your key creatures remain unbound from such enchantments.
Ultimately, defeating Trapped in the Tower requires foresight and strategic deck building. By including versatile answers or evasive creature designs in your MTG arsenal, you can ensure that this binding enchantment doesn’t keep your game plan grounded.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trapped in the Tower MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Trapped in the Tower 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trapped in the Tower has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Trapped in the Tower card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-10-04 | Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “ -ost: -ffect].” Some keyword abilities are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text. Triggered abilities (starting with “when,” “whenever,” or “at”) are unaffected by Trapped in the Tower. |
| 2019-10-04 | If the enchanted creature gains flying, Trapped in the Tower is put into your graveyard as a state-based action. The creature won't get stuck in the tower again when it loses flying. |