Hands of Binding
GTCGatecrash/#37/2013Common
Colour IDMV 2
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.35
Cardmarket€0.13
ManaPool$0.15
TCGplayer$0.15
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.01
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.03 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.35High $0.35Low $0.35▲ 0.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.15TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▼ 6.3%30d▲ 0.0%90d▼ 11.8%
90d high
$0.19
90d low
$0.15
Paper printings priced
1
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.15
Gatecrash
- Up 0.0% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 21% below its 90 day high of $0.19.
- Foil copies of this printing carry a 360% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (1 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Sorcery
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.)
Keywords
Cipher
Card capabilities
Sorcery
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings (13)
wotc15 Apr 2013
If another player gains control of the creature, that player will control the triggered ability. That player will create a copy of the encoded card and may cast it.
wotc15 Apr 2013
The spell with cipher is encoded on the creature as part of that spell's resolution, just after the spell's other effects. That card goes directly from the stack to exile. It never goes to the graveyard.
wotc15 Apr 2013
If the creature leaves the battlefield, the exiled card will no longer be encoded on any creature. It will stay exiled.
wotc15 Apr 2013
If the spell with cipher doesn't resolve, none of its effects will happen, including cipher. The card will go to its owner's graveyard and won't be encoded on a creature.
wotc15 Apr 2013
You choose the creature as the spell resolves. The cipher ability doesn't target that creature, although the spell with cipher may target that creature (or a different creature) because of its other abilities.
wotc15 Apr 2013
If you want to encode the card with cipher onto a noncreature permanent such as a Keyrune that can turn into a creature, that permanent has to be a creature before the spell with cipher starts resolving. You can choose only a creature to encode the card onto.
Similar cardsOpen Card Finder →
Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Hands of Binding
Hands of Binding is a Sorcery, with mana cost {1}{U} (mana value 2).
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.15 (up 0.0% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Hands of Binding FAQ
How much is Hands of Binding worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Hands of Binding is $0.15. It is up 0.0% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.15 to $0.19.
What is the cheapest printing of Hands of Binding?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Gatecrash at $0.15 on TCGplayer.
What set was Hands of Binding first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from GTC #37, released 2013-02-01.
Is there a foil version of Hands of Binding?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $0.69 versus $0.15 for nonfoil, which is 360% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Hands of Binding legal in Commander?
Yes, Hands of Binding is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Hands of Binding legal in Modern?
Yes, Hands of Binding is currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Hands of Binding legal in Standard?
Hands of Binding is not currently legal in Standard per Scryfall's legality feed.
What does Hands of Binding do?
Hands of Binding is a Sorcery with mana cost {1}{U}. Its Oracle text reads: "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.)".