Start free

Archive Trap

Zendikar (ZEN)

{3}{U}{U}

Instant — Trap

If an opponent searched their library this turn, you may pay {0} rather than pay this spell's mana cost. Target opponent mills thirteen cards.
Plays as
Cost AlternativeMill FinisherOpponent Mill
Format legality

Constructed

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
PauperNot legal

Commander

CommanderLegal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
Duel CommanderLegal
PreDHLegal
OathbreakerLegal
Tiny LeadersNot legal

Arena

AlchemyNot legal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
BrawlLegal
Standard BrawlNot legal
Competitive BrawlLegal
GladiatorLegal

Other

PremodernNot legal
Old SchoolNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
Future StandardNot legal

Versions

3 printings · from $1.00

Breaking News
2024#7CheapestIn products
BorderlessShowcase
The List
2021#ZEN-41In products
Zendikar
2009#41In products

Rulings

8 · latest Oct 1, 2009
  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    A 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.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    Casting 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.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    If 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.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    If the targeted opponent has fewer than thirteen cards in their library, that player puts their entire library into their graveyard.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    The opponent you target doesn’t have to be the opponent who searched their library.

  • WotCOct 1, 2009

    You 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.