Detention Vortex is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Enchant nonland permanent Enchanted permanent can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be activated.: Destroy this Aura. Only your opponents may activate this ability and only as a sorcery.
Complete guide
Detention Vortex is a low-cost white Aura that offers flexible crowd control in the early game. It provides a temporary solution to problematic permanents by locking down their combat potential and utility features.
What it Does
Detention Vortex can be attached to any nonland permanent. Once it is on the battlefield, the enchanted object is stripped of its ability to attack or block, and its controller cannot activate any of its abilities. This includes both mana abilities and non-mana activated abilities.
How it Resolves
When you cast Detention Vortex, you choose a legal nonland permanent as a target. If it resolves, the Aura enters the battlefield attached to that permanent. The lock remains in effect until the Aura is destroyed or otherwise leaves the battlefield. The unique twist is that only your opponents can pay the cost of 3 generic mana to destroy it, and they can only do so during one of their main phases when the stack is empty.
Common Mistakes
A common point of confusion is who can pay to remove the Vortex. In a multiplayer game, any opponent can pay the 3 mana, even if they don't control the enchanted permanent. Additionally, because the destruction ability must be activated as a sorcery, opponents cannot wait for you to declare attackers or cast a spell to suddenly 'unlock' their permanent in response.
When to Play It
This card is ideal for slowing down aggressive starts or disabling key engines. Because it only costs one white mana, it is an efficient way to stop a threat before your opponent has the mana available to pay the tax and destroy the Aura.
Interaction examples
Authority of the ConsulsIf you enchant an opponent's Authority of the Consuls with Detention Vortex, the Vortex has no effect on its triggered abilities. Since Authority of the Consuls has triggered abilities (starting with 'Whenever') rather than activated abilities (written as 'Cost: Effect'), it will still gain your opponent life and cause your creatures to enter tapped.
Urza's SagaYou cannot cast Detention Vortex targeting Urza's Saga. Although Urza's Saga is an Enchantment, its type line also includes 'Land'. Detention Vortex specifically states it must enchant a 'nonland permanent', making Urza's Saga an illegal target.
If you cast Detention Vortex on an opponent's creature, that creature is immediately unable to attack or block. If that creature has an ability like '{T}: Draw a card,' the opponent cannot use it. On their turn, they must decide whether to spend 3 mana during their main phase to destroy your Aura or leave their creature useless.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Detention Vortex
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
In a multiplayer game, any opponent may activate Detention Vortex's last ability, not just an opponent who controls the permanent that it is enchanting.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Detention Vortex
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.