Winter Orb MTG Card


Winter Orb can give you an edge by limiting opponents’ land untapping, creating a strategic advantage. Effective against ramp strategies, it levels the playing field by restricting mana development. Deck flexibility and artifact interaction are crucial to countering Winter Orb’s restrictive effect.
Card setsReleased in 18 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

Players can untap only one land each during untap phase. Creatures and artifacts are untapped as normal.


Cards like Winter Orb

Winter Orb stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable control artifact, akin to Static Orb and Trinisphere, impacting the strategic landscape of the game. Similar to Static Orb, Winter Orb restricts players by limiting the number of untapped permanents, particularly lands. While Static Orb requires two permanents to remain tapped, Winter Orb focuses solely on the untapping phase, allowing only one land to be untapped each turn.

Trinisphere brings a different angle to this restrictive play style. It ensures spells cost at least three mana, effectively slowing down low-cost spell strategies which contrasts Winter Orb’s impact on land resources. Although their methods differ, both cards achieve a similar goal: decelerating opponents and shaping the pace of the game.

In evaluating these artifacts, it becomes evident that Winter Orb is truly impactful in formats where managing land resources efficiently is crucial. Its ability to handicap opponents’ mana development makes it a strategic choice in decks that benefit from reduced game tempo and resource denial. As part of Magic: The Gathering’s nuanced world of artifacts, Winter Orb holds its reputation as a timeless tool for control strategies.

Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Trinisphere - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Trinisphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Winter Orb by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am
Five-color MidrangeFive-color Midrange Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am
Bant TempoBant Tempo PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange PremodernMisty Premodern Winter Finals
MUDMUD PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Simic StiflenoughtSimic Stiflenought PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Five-color AggroFive-color Aggro PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Welder SurvivalWelder Survival PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
PsychatogPsychatog PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Winter Orb card can significantly disrupt your opponents’ plan by forcing them to tap resources carefully. This can lead to a card advantage as they may be unable to cast spells or activate abilities as freely as they would like while you can optimize your plays and card sequences to get ahead.

Resource Acceleration: Although Winter Orb doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, it slows down opponents effectively, allowing you a relative acceleration in resource usage. By hindering your opponents’ ability to untap all their lands, you can more efficiently deploy your strategies and outpace the competition.

Instant Speed: While Winter Orb itself isn’t an instant, its effect may as well have instant speed implications. You can strategically time its deployment right after your opponent’s untap phase, locking them down immediately. This tactic allows you to keep your mana open for immediate responses or end-of-turn plays before introducing the Orb’s game-altering dynamic.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Winter Orb lacks a discard requirement, yet this absence could be a double-edged sword. In some contexts, being able to discard could offer strategic flexibility to your gameplay, which Winter Orb doesn’t provide.

Specific Mana Cost: Winter Orb’s static ability locks down players’ lands, demanding careful planning when considering your deck’s mana curve and availability. This card requires an investment in decks built around untapping mechanics or low-cost spells to circumvent its limitation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Winter Orb has a mana cost of two, which might not seem high, its impact on the game could be deleterious if not properly supported by other cards that can take advantage of the symmetrical effect it imposes on untapping lands.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Winter Orb’s unique ability to restrict untapping lands makes it a strategic card for various deck archetypes. It can be equally impactful in control decks to slow the game down or in aggressive decks to maintain tempo advantage over the opponent.

Combo Potential: This artifact is known for its ability to form powerful combinations with cards that either circumvent its untapping restriction or further exploit tapped-out states. Combining Winter Orb with cards that allow you to untap your own lands ensures you remain less affected by its static ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on ramp or complex mana strategies, Winter Orb can serve as a crucial equalizer. By limiting resource availability, it can keep decks that rely on casting multiple spells in a turn or activating costly abilities in check.


How to beat

Winter Orb is a classic and often frustrating card to encounter in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This icy artifact has the chilling effect of locking down lands, only allowing players to untap one each turn. However, there are ways to thaw out from this winter freeze and regain control of the game. Tapping Winter Orb during your opponent’s end step can effectively neutralize its effect for your turn since it only restricts land untapping if it’s untapped itself. Cards like Icy Manipulator or abilities that tap artifacts can be key in this scenario.

It’s equally important to plan ahead by having a solid mana base with an assortment of mana rocks that aren’t affected by Winter Orb, ensuring a steady flow of resources. Cards that can bounce or destroy artifacts, such as Reclamation Sage or Disenchant, provide a direct answer to this chilling artifact. Keep your deck versatile and maintain a mix of tactics that can adapt to artifacts like Winter Orb to stay ahead in the game.

Maintaining patience and focusing on efficient use of limited resources will lead to a strategic victory over the binding cold of Winter Orb, establishing your deck’s resilience against enduring challenges.


BurnMana Recommendations

If the icy grip of Winter Orb has sparked your interest, remember that MTG is a strategy game requiring careful deck construction and foresight. This card acts like a wrench in the gears of many strategies, but with the right setup, it can be the cornerstone of a winning deck. Every card has its pros and cons, and Winter Orb is no different. Consider your collection and how this artifact could change the tempo in your favor. Ready to delve into the tactics that make Winter Orb a standout in your arsenal? Let’s embark on this chilling journey together and uncover the secrets to mastering its power within your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Winter Orb MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Winter Orb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Winter Orb Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2751993NormalBlackMark Tedin
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2761993NormalBlackMark Tedin
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2761993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2761993NormalBlackMark Tedin
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2761993NormalBlackMark Tedin
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2801993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2801993NormalBlackMark Tedin
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2801993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3581993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3581993NormalBlackMark Tedin
111996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC mj3581993NormalGoldMark Tedin
121997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 4081997NormalWhiteMark Tedin
131997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 sg4081997NormalGoldMark Tedin
142002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 469222003NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
152007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1731997NormalBlackMark Tedin
162016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 2342015NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
172022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2712015NormalBlackMark Tedin
182022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5681997NormalBlackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Winter Orb has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-06-08 All permanents untap during a player’s untap step at once. If Winter Orb is tapped as your untap step begins, your lands will all untap.
2016-06-08 You can’t tap Winter Orb just because you want to. Another ability, such as that of Glare of Subdual, must instruct or allow you to do so.