Ice Out MTG Card


Ice Out grants card advantage and strategic board control with its draw and tap abilities. Playing at instant speed, Ice Out provides flexibility and surprise tactical maneuvers. Despite requiring card discard and specific mana, its strategic benefits can justify its use.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Bargain

Text of card

Bargain (You may sacrifice an artifact, enchantment, or token as you cast this spell.) This spell costs less to cast if it's bargained. Counter target spell.


Cards like Ice Out

Ice Out is an intriguing control tool within Magic: The Gathering’s array of freezing effects. It shares a conceptual kinship with Frost Breath, which also temporarily incapacitates multiple targets. However, Ice Out’s singularity lies in its capacity to target artifacts or creatures, offering a unique flexibility. Unlike Frost Breath’s broader reach, Ice Out’s specificity can be pivotal in stalling key threats or shutting down equipment.

Examining another peer, Winter’s Rest also puts a creature or artifact on ice but carries the synergy with snow permanents, potentially leading to a more enduring lockdown. Ice Out’s immediate impact contrasts with Winter’s Rest’s conditional nature. Similarly, there’s Chilling Grasp, which can disable two creatures but doesn’t affect artifacts like Ice Out can. It’s the versatility to hamper an opponent’s strategy by selectively freezing a creature or an artifact that sets Ice Out apart in tactical scenarios.

Though these cards maneuver around the same theme, Ice Out presents a dynamic choice for players seeking targeted control. Its blend of adaptability and straightforward execution ensures its considerable utility in any MTG player’s strategy that emphasizes tempo control.

Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Winter's Rest - MTG Card versions
Chilling Grasp - MTG Card versions
Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Winter's Rest - MTG Card versions
Chilling Grasp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ice Out by color, type and mana cost

Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
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Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
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Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Psionic Blast - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Rushing River - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Vex - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Ice Out. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UU StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024
Bant ControlBant Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control StandardJeskai ControlMTG SEA Championships Thailand Open Season 2 Round 3
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAzorius ControlPioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-02-11
DecklistDecklist Free form79#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ice Out provides a clear path to card advantage by allowing you to draw a card upon casting. This seamless integration into your hand means more options and increased potential to respond to opponents’ threats effectively.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Ice Out chisel away at your opponent’s board by tapping a creature, but it also doesn’t untap during the controller’s next untap step, essentially rendering it inert for longer than expected. This temporary removal can significantly speed up your own board development, as it gives you an extra turn free from a potential blocker or attacker.

Instant Speed: The capacity to play Ice Out at instant speed elevates its tactical value considerably. You can navigate the end of your opponent’s turn with agility, choosing the perfect moment to freeze out a threat. This flexibility ensures that you’re always one step ahead, keeping your mana open for responses or casting Ice Out to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at a critical time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ice Out demands that you discard another card to play it, which can be a steep price, especially if you’re already behind in card advantage. For some players, this trade-off can be too costly, removing valuable cards from their hand that may be needed for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Restricting its casting to decks that use or can produce blue mana, Ice Out’s particular mana requirement reduces its flexibility. If your deck doesn’t align well with blue’s strategies or mana base, this card might not be a perfect fit.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you account for the additional card discard, the overall cost of casting Ice Out might outweigh the benefits it provides. There are alternative spells in MTG that can accomplish similar goals without such a heavy investment, making them potentially a wiser choice for an efficient deck build.


Reasons to Include Ice Out in Your Collection

Versatility: Ice Out is an adaptable card that can be slotted into various blue decks. Its ability to tap a target creature can be incredibly strategic, disrupting opponents’ plans and providing control over the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures. It can be combined with cards that benefit from these mechanics, offering players creative ways to gain an advantage over their opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fast-paced nature of the current meta, being able to delay or hinder your opponent’s most threatening creatures can be crucial. Ice Out is a cost-effective way to ensure you maintain pace, making it a relevant choice for many blue control decks.


How to beat

The Ice Out card presents an interesting challenge for Magic: The Gathering players. Known for its ability to tap down opponents’ permanents, it can certainly be a roadblock when trying to maintain the momentum of your strategy. One effective method to overcome this card is through the use of untap abilities, which can free your permanents from Ice Out’s chilly grip, allowing you to proceed with your plan without hindrance.

Additionally, running counter spells in your deck offers a direct way to negate Ice Out before it can affect the battlefield. Keep in mind that the right timing for these counterspells is crucial for maximum effectiveness. Another strategy involves using enchantment removal cards, which can clear Ice Out from the field after it’s been cast, quickly restoring the balance of power.

Remember, adaptation and foresight are key. Recognizing the potential for such freeze effects in your opponent’s deck and planning accordingly can turn a seemingly troublesome card like Ice Out into a hurdle that’s easily overcome, enabling you to continue your march towards victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re intrigued by the tactical prowess of Ice Out and its place in MTG, it’s clear that strategic knowledge can make all the difference. With its potential for card advantage and game pace control, Ice Out can be a game-changer in the right deck. Should you wish to incorporate this card into your arsenal or seek alternatives that offer similar control, delve deeper with us. We provide comprehensive insights and strategies to refine your deck, bolster your MTG collection, and secure your next victorious match. Join our community of enthusiasts to exchange ideas and elevate your gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ice Out MTG card by a specific set like Wizards Play Network 2023 and Wilds 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 Ice Out and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ice Out Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-01-01 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-01-01Wizards Play Network 2023PW23 72015NormalBlackTakuma Ebisu
22023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 542015NormalBlackOlivier Bernard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ice Out has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ice Out card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-09-01 Bargain means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice an artifact, enchantment, or token.”
2023-09-01 Bargain represents an optional additional cost. A spell cast with that additional cost paid is “bargained.”
2023-09-01 If you copy a bargained spell, the copy is also bargained. If a card or token enters the battlefield as a copy of a permanent that’s already on the battlefield, the new permanent isn’t bargained, even if the original was.
2023-09-01 Some instant and sorcery spells require additional targets if they’re bargained. You ignore those targeting requirements if those spells aren’t bargained, and you can’t bargain those spells unless you can choose the appropriate targets. On the other hand, you can bargain a permanent spell even if you won’t be able to choose targets for an enters-the-battlefield ability of that permanent once the spell resolves.
2023-09-01 You may sacrifice only one artifact, enchantment, or token to pay a spell’s bargain cost.