No Escape MTG Card
2019-05-03 - Number 63
2022-12-02 - Number 328
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
Key Takeaways
- No Escape trades one card for potentially greater value while setting back opponents, tilting favor your way.
- Acting at instant speed allows strategic flexibility, catching opponents off-guard with vital play interference.
- Despite a higher cost, the exile and scry effects add valuable control and future play preparation against threats.
Text of card
Counter target creature or planeswalker spell. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard. Scry 1.
Jace surmised that they were walking into Bolas's trap. He felt no joy in being right.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: No Escape excels in disrupting your opponent’s game plan by countering a creature or planeswalker spell. This process inherently creates card advantage as you’re trading one card for their likely more valuable one and also leaves them open to further setbacks, potentially shifting the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While No Escape doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in the traditional mana-generating sense, it effectively buys you time to build your board and access to more of your resources. This delay can yield an indirect acceleration as you’re allowed to develop your mana base and important game pieces unimpeded.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of No Escape provides flexibility, allowing you to decide the best moment to counter an opponent’s threat. This can catch them off-guard, especially if they commit all their resources to cast a crucial spell during their turn. The ability to act during your opponent’s turn is a significant strategic advantage in Magic the Gathering.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: No Escape requires you to play it during an opponent’s turn, thereby telegraphing your mana availability and potentially leaving you vulnerable. Not having the surprise element could hinder strategic play, especially when facing opponents who can capitalize on this information.
Specific Mana Cost: No Escape’s casting cost necessitates both blue and colorless mana, which may not be easily accessible in multicolored decks that are not heavily focused on blue. This specific mana cost can reduce the flexibility and universal appeal of the card within various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to counter a spell and exile it appears costly when compared to other countermagic options. MTG players might find the cost uneconomical, as it can slow down tempo and restrict the ability to cast multiple spells in a single turn. Besides, players might opt for lower-cost alternatives that offer similar or better effects without the exile component.
Reasons to Include No Escape in Your Collection
Versatility: No Escape serves as a multifaceted tool, fitting seamlessly into blue-based control decks. Its ability to counter creature or planeswalker spells while exiling them prevents recurring threats and puts a wrench in your opponent’s long-term strategies.
Combo Potential: Beyond the initial counter and exile effect, No Escape also offers a scrying bonus. This subtly enhances combos by ensuring your next draw keeps the plays flowing or sets up future game-winning conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creatures and planeswalkers dominate, this card emerges as a critical defensive measure. Its presence in your deck could significantly disrupt opponent strategies, particularly in formats where heavy hitter creatures and impactful planeswalkers are common plays.
How to beat
No Escape serves as a robust control element in Magic: The Gathering, thwarting your opponent’s plans by countering a creature or planeswalker spell. Its strength is amplified by the scry 1 ability, allowing you to shape your upcoming draws. To navigate around No Escape’s interference, timing is crucial. Playing spells during a turn when your opponent may lack the necessary mana to cast No Escape is an efficient strategy. Similarly, baiting out the counter with less crucial spells before committing your key plays can lead to a successful resolution.
Another approach is to apply pressure by deploying multiple threats in a single turn. This can overwhelm the No Escape’s one-time use and pave the way for your most impactful cards. Also, including spells that can’t be countered, or employing instant-speed tricks that play around your opponent’s expectations can diminish No Escape’s effectiveness. Cards with flash allow you to wait until your opponent’s mana is tapped, reducing the likelihood of No Escape impacting the game state.
Ultimately, understanding and predicting your opponent’s potential plays and optimally sequencing your actions can ensure that No Escape doesn’t deter your path to victory.
Cards like No Escape
No Escape is a control spell that has found its niche within the Magic: The Gathering mechanics of countering and surveilling. It’s often compared to Dissolve, which is also a blue counter spell with scrying, allowing players to look at the top card of their library and potentially bury unwanted cards. No Escape goes a step further by not only countering a creature or planeswalker spell but also exiling it, preventing recursion strategies and graveyard interactions.
Another card that resonates with No Escape’s functionality is Sinister Sabotage. This spell is identical in mana cost and also provides the counter plus surveil combination. The key difference lies in Sinister Sabotage’s broader counter capabilities, able to target any spell and not just creatures or planeswalkers, but without the finality of exile. Additionally, there’s Cancel, the straightforward counter spell without the surveil or exile bonuses, which makes it less strategically versatile but still a reliable option in a pinch.
Assessing No Escape against its counterparts, it’s evident that its ability to exile and surveil adds a layer of tactical depth and graveyard disruption that can be highly advantageous in the right deck configuration in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to No Escape by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase No Escape MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Jumpstart 2022, 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 No Escape and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 No Escape Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by G-host Lee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-05-03 | War of the Spark | WAR | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | G-host Lee | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 328 | 2015 | Normal | Black | G-host Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where No Escape 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 No Escape card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | A creature or planeswalker spell that can’t be countered is a legal target for No Escape. The spell won’t be countered when No Escape resolves, but you’ll still scry 1. |