Trap Essence
KTKKhans of Tarkir/#209/2014Rare
Colour IDMV 3
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$0.49
Cardmarket€0.27
TCGplayer$0.26
ManaPool$0.15
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.03
MTGO (Cardhoarder)
retail$0.02 tix
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $0.49High $0.49Low $0.49▲ 0.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.26TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▲ 0.0%30d▲ 8.3%90d▲ 18.2%
90d high
$0.28
90d low
$0.20
Paper printings priced
2
Currently 1st
Cheapest paper printing
$0.26
Khans of Tarkir
- Up 8.3% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 7% below its 90 day high of $0.28.
- This is the cheapest paper printing of the card currently priced (2 priced in total).
- Foil copies of this printing carry a 119% premium over nonfoil.
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (2 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Counter target creature spell. Put two +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature.
Card capabilities
Instant
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Rulings (1)
wotc20 Sept 2014
You don’t have to target a creature to cast Trap Essence, although you must target a creature spell on the stack.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
About this card
Trap Essence
Trap Essence is an Instant, with mana cost {G}{U}{R} (mana value 3). Printed 2 times across MTG sets.
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.26 (up 8.3% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Trap Essence FAQ
How much is Trap Essence worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Trap Essence is $0.26. It is up 8.3% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.20 to $0.28.
What is the cheapest printing of Trap Essence?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from Khans of Tarkir at $0.26 on TCGplayer.
What is the most expensive printing of Trap Essence?
The most expensive currently priced paper printing is from Khans of Tarkir Promos at $1.17 on TCGplayer.
How many printings of Trap Essence are there?
Trap Essence has been printed 2 times in English paper sets that MTGPrices tracks.
What set was Trap Essence first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from KTK #209, released 2014-09-26.
Is there a foil version of Trap Essence?
Yes. On this printing, foil copies trade at $0.57 versus $0.26 for nonfoil, which is 119% more expensive on TCGplayer.
Is Trap Essence legal in Commander?
Yes, Trap Essence is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Trap Essence legal in Modern?
Yes, Trap Essence is currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.