Tangle SpiderHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Power of Ambush

Tangle Spider features two primary keywords: Flash and Reach. Flash allows you to cast this creature spell during any player's turn at any time you could cast an instant, meaning you can hold up your mana and see what your opponent does before committing your resources. Reach ensures that once Tangle Spider hits the battlefield, it can immediately stand in the way of incoming flyers, even if it does not have flying itself.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you wait for an opportune moment, such as the opponent's Declare Attackers step, and pay the mana cost of four generic and two green mana to cast Tangle Spider. The spell goes on the stack like any other creature, but thanks to Flash, it doesn't need to be your main phase. Once both players pass priority, the spell resolves and Tangle Spider enters the battlefield. You can then immediately move to the Declare Blockers step and assign Tangle Spider to block any attacking creature, including those with flying.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that even with Flash, you must still pay the full mana cost of the spell. Additionally, players sometimes believe Reach gives the creature flying; it does not. Tangle Spider remains on the ground and cannot block creatures with Protection from Green or those that are otherwise unblockable. Lastly, remember that casting Tangle Spider during an opponent's turn does not grant it 'haste' for your next turn, though its summoning sickness will wear off normally once your own turn begins.

When to Play It

Tangle Spider is best utilized as a combat trick. By waiting until your opponent has already committed to an attack with a flying creature, you can cast Tangle Spider to eat a smaller attacker or bounce a larger one. It is also an excellent mana sink if you are leaving mana open for interaction that you ultimately don't need to use before the end of your opponent's turn.

Interaction examples

The Ultimate Untap Synergy

Seedborn Muse

With Seedborn Muse on the battlefield, all your lands untap during your opponent's untap step. This ensures you always have the six mana available to cast Tangle Spider at a moment's notice. If your opponent attacks with a flyer, you can tap your newly untapped lands to Flash in the Spider and block, leaving your own turn's mana completely free for other spells like Avenger of Zendikar.

Surprise Aerial Defense

Your opponent attacks with a 2/2 creature with flying, confident you have no blockers. During the Declare Attackers step, you cast Tangle Spider. It resolves and enters the battlefield. When you move to the Declare Blockers step, you assign Tangle Spider to block the flyer. Since Tangle Spider has 4 power and 4 toughness, it will destroy the attacker while surviving the combat itself.

Building a Board State

Avenger of Zendikar

While Avenger of Zendikar creates a wide board of Plants, it doesn't provide much defense against flying creatures. By holding Tangle Spider in your hand, you provide a hidden layer of protection. If an opponent tries to fly over your army of Plants to hit your life total directly, Tangle Spider can Flash in to intercept the most dangerous threat, buying you time to trigger Landfall and grow your Plants into a winning force.