Springjaw Trap MTG Card


Springjaw Trap can tilt the battlefield balance by removing creatures and generating treasures for mana. Its instant speed allows for reactive plays, adding a layer of surprise and adaptability in matches. It requires careful hand and mana management, as discarding and specific mana costs are part of its activation.
Springjaw Trap - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Flash
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Number241
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byZoltan Boros

Text of card

Flash , , Sacrifice Springjaw Trap: It deals 3 damage to any target.

"Stop trying to pierce the hide. Hit where it's softest: ankle, sole, hamstring." —Master Hunter Chevill


Cards like Springjaw Trap

Springjaw Trap offers a unique twist in the realm of artifact-based removals in Magic: The Gathering. This card harkens back to similar traps found in the game, such as Perilous Vault, which provides widespread removal. However, Springjaw Trap allows for more selective targeting at the cost of four mana, which can be beneficial in dealing with specific threats on the board.

When evaluating comparable options, one might consider Snare Tactician. While it doesn’t directly remove creatures, it provides a way to consistently render them inactive, which can be a strategic alternative. Additionally, the mana cost is lower, making it an accessible option earlier in the game. Looking at another artifact, there’s Icy Manipulator, which, though it doesn’t destroy, can repeatedly tap a target and hence neutralize potential attacks or blockades effectively.

Springjaw Trap finds its niche thanks to its on-demand utility, fitting well into decks that can afford its mana cost. It may not be as instantaneously impactful as some removal spells, but the flexible activation cost could provide the edge needed in tight situations. These nuances help Springjaw Trap standout among its counterparts within the game’s vast ecosystem of cards.

Perilous Vault - MTG Card versions
Snare Tactician - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Perilous Vault - MTG Card versions
Snare Tactician - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Springjaw Trap provides a vital edge in MTG matchups where controlling the board is crucial. With its ability to eliminate key opposition creatures, it can effectively reduce the opponent’s resources while maintaining your own creature count. This potentially swings the game in your favor, allowing for a better positioning on the field.

Resource Acceleration: Upon activation, Springjaw Trap offers an additional perk of treasure creation. This not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy by removing their creatures but also accelerates your resource management. The treasures generated can be transformed into mana, paving the way for casting high-impact spells sooner than usual and supporting a robust mana curve strategy.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Springjaw Trap is amplified by its instant speed nature, enabling reactive play during the most opportune moments. Whether it’s disrupting an opponent’s combative manoeuvres or simply used to create treasures at the end of their turn, its instant speed ensures you remain agile and adaptable throughout the game, keeping adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One substantial drawback of using Springjaw Trap is needing to discard another card to activate its ability. This discard can put players at a disadvantage, especially when the hand size is critical for maintaining options.

Specific Mana Cost: Springjaw Trap demands a very particular mana arrangement for its activation—requiring two colorless and one red mana. This requirement could hinder its inclusion in multi-colored decks that may struggle to produce the necessary red mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the overall mana cost, Springjaw Trap is on the higher end for its artifact type and effect. Players who are looking to optimize their mana curve might find the cost prohibitive, favoring alternatives that offer similar effects for less mana or provide additional value.


Reasons to Include Springjaw Trap in Your Collection

Versatility: Springjaw Trap offers flexibility in any collection due to its ability to function both as an instant-speed removal option and as a deterrent to aggressive creatures. Its flash ability allows players to keep mana open for other spells or bluff interaction.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on artifact strategies. The Trap can be an unexpected enabler in situations that benefit from artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield, and pairs nicely with cards that care about such effects.

Meta-Relevance: Given an environment heavy with creature-based strategies, Springjaw Trap provides an effective and budget-friendly answer, maintaining relevance in a variety of game scenarios. It can disrupt your opponent’s tempo and provides a level of interactivity that adapts to evolving tabletop or online metagames.


How to beat

Springjaw Trap brings a versatile defensive mechanism to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Notably acting as a deterrent, the card can deal unexpected damage to creatures that would otherwise harm you or your planeswalkers. While it can be a surprise factor for opponents, overcoming its influence is not insurmountable. Players may opt to bait out the artifact’s use with less critical creatures, ensuring that higher-value targets remain unscathed. Additionally, running enchantment removal or artifact disruption cards in your deck, such as Disenchant or Abrade, can neutralize the trap before it springs into action, rendering it useless.

Keeping in mind the mana investment that Springjaw Trap requires for activation can also give you the upper hand. By playing around the available mana, or applying pressure that forces your opponent to use up resources elsewhere, you ensure that the Trap remains dormant. Another strategy involves leveraging hexproof or indestructible creatures that aren’t susceptible to Springjaw Trap’s damage, effectively nullifying its threat. In essence, while Springjaw Trap may pose initial concerns, it can be systematically disarmed with calculated plays and well-chosen counter-measures.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Springjaw Trap MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Springjaw Trap and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Springjaw Trap has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.