Archive Trap

all versions

every printing — same card, different shelf price · click one to view it

rulings

• 2009-10-01A spell or ability causes a player to search their library only if it specifically contains the word “search” in its text. For example, if a spell or ability lets a player look at the top four cards of their library and do something with one of those cards, that’s not a search.
• 2009-10-01Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.
• 2009-10-01You may ignore a Trap’s alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met.
• 2009-10-01Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay.
• 2009-10-01Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.
• 2009-10-01If the targeted opponent has fewer than thirteen cards in their library, that player puts their entire library into their graveyard.
• 2009-10-01If a search effect is affected by Aven Mindcensor’s ability (which causes a player to search the top four cards of their library instead), that still counts as searching that library.
• 2009-10-01The opponent you target doesn’t have to be the opponent who searched their library.