Hands of Binding
Gatecrash 37 • common
- Set
- Gatecrash
- Collector number
- 37
- Rarity
- Common
- Mana cost
- 1 generic mana blue mana
- Type
- Sorcery
- Colors
- Blue
- Artist
- Raymond Swanland
- Market price
- $0.16
What it does
Tap target creature an opponent controls. That creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Cipher (Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control. Whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player, its controller may cast a copy of the encoded card without paying its mana cost.)
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerLegal
- ModernLegal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperLegal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulLegal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Hands of Binding was released in the 2013 Magic: The Gathering expansion set, Gatecrash, which focused on the five guilds residing within the Boros, Gruul, Orzhov, Dimir, and Simic factions. Designed as a common-rarity sorcery within the Dimir guild’s color identity, the card features the 'cipher' keyword mechanic, allowing a spell to be encoded onto a creature to trigger additional effects upon combat damage. This mechanic was intended to reflect the elusive, manipulative nature of the House Dimir in the urban landscape of Ravnica.
The card’s artwork was illustrated by Clint Cearley, who utilized a stark, high-contrast style to depict the magical restraints characteristic of the set's espionage theme. Upon its release, the card was noted for its utility in Limited formats, where the ability to tap down opposing creatures while providing repeatable value through cipher saw it become a staple in Dimir-aligned decks. Its design remains a representative example of the guild's focus on tempo and board control during the second set of the Return to Ravnica block.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
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About Hands of Binding
Hands of Binding is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Gatecrash 37 • common. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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