Permafrost Trap 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
If an opponent had a green creature enter the battlefield under their control this turn, you may payrather than pay this spell's mana cost. Tap up to two target creatures. Those creatures don't untap during their controller's next untap step.
Complete guide
Permafrost Trap can tap up to two creatures and keep them from untapping during their controller’s next untap step. Its alternative cost makes it especially efficient after an opponent has had a green creature enter the battlefield under their control that turn.
What It Does
Permafrost Trap normally costs {2}{U}{U}. If an opponent had a green creature enter the battlefield under their control this turn, you may pay {U} instead. This is an alternative cost, not a triggered ability, and the qualifying creature does not need to remain on the battlefield for you to use it. Choose zero, one, or two target creatures. They can belong to any player and can already be tapped. Even when you pay {U}, you do not have to target the green creature that enabled that cost. The effect stops the affected creatures from untapping during their controller’s next untap step. It does not prevent other spells or abilities from untapping them.
How It Resolves, Step by Step
1. As you cast Permafrost Trap, choose whether to use its alternative cost if the condition is met, choose up to two targets, and pay the applicable cost. Players can respond before it resolves. 2. On resolution, check the targets again. If you chose targets and all of them are now illegal, the spell does not resolve. If at least one remains legal, it affects only the legal targets. Choosing zero targets does not prevent it from resolving. 3. Tap the legal targets. An already-tapped creature stays tapped but still receives the untap restriction. 4. Each affected creature does not untap during its controller’s next untap step. If it changes controllers beforehand, the restriction applies during its new controller’s next untap step instead. Example 1 — Fierce Guardianship: You cast Permafrost Trap targeting two creatures. An opponent responds with Fierce Guardianship targeting it; if that opponent controls a commander, they may cast Fierce Guardianship without paying its mana cost. Fierce Guardianship resolves first and counters Permafrost Trap because it is a noncreature spell. Neither creature is tapped or given an untap restriction by Permafrost Trap.
Common Mistakes
The reduced cost does not limit your targets to green creatures, and an already-tapped creature is a legal target. Also, this is not a blanket instruction to keep a creature tapped: if an affected creature is already untapped when its controller’s next untap step begins, the restriction has no effect on it during that step. Example 2 — Frantic Search in response: You cast Permafrost Trap targeting two creatures, and an opponent responds with Frantic Search. Frantic Search resolves first: that player draws two cards, discards two cards, then untaps up to three lands. It does not counter Permafrost Trap or change its targets. Assuming both targets remain legal, Permafrost Trap then resolves, taps them, and applies its untap restriction. Frantic Search cannot untap an ordinary nonland creature, because its untap instruction applies only to lands.
When to Play It
Cast Permafrost Trap before attackers are declared if you want to stop untapped creatures from attacking. Once a creature has been declared as an attacker, tapping it does not remove it from combat. Before your own attack, the spell can tap potential blockers and keep them from untapping during their controller’s next untap step. Watch the timing of the alternative cost: a green creature entering under an opponent’s control qualifies only for that turn. Waiting until the next turn means that event no longer enables the {U} cost. Example 3 — Frantic Search to free up mana: During an opponent’s turn, after a green creature has entered under their control, you cast Frantic Search. It resolves: you draw two cards, discard two cards, and untap up to three lands. Once you receive priority again, you can use an untapped land that produces blue mana to cast Permafrost Trap for {U}. Choose up to two creatures; if they remain legal targets, the Trap taps them and stops them from untapping during their controller’s next untap step.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Permafrost Trap
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You may target any two (or fewer) creatures. It's okay if any of them are already tapped. If you cast Permafrost Trap for
, you don't have to target the green creature that entered under an opponent's control.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a targeted creature is untapped at the time its controller's next untap step begins, the second part of the ability has no effect on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If an affected creature changes controllers before its previous controller's next untap step, this ability will prevent it from untapping during its new controller's next untap step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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