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.
Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.
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.
Last observed on Scryfall 2 months ago at $1.62. Over the trailing 90 days the price moved between $0.22 and $1.94 across 52 observations. Cross-checked across TCGplayer, eBay sold, Cardmarket EU, and Star City.
This printing is one of 3 catalogued treatments from ZEN — the lineup includes Foil and Nonfoil alongside the standard finish. Across our catalog the Rarix library tracks every variant in the same family so collectors can compare price, scarcity and demand inside a single lineage.
Card #41 of *Zendikar*, the set that shipped alongside the October 2009 Zendikar release.
Card type: Instant — Trap, color identity blue, printed at rare. Rares occupy the bottom-of-pack rare slot in standard boosters. Mana cost: {3}{U}{U} (5 converted). Keyword abilities: Mill.
Legal across the major constructed formats — Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander — plus Standard rotation play.
EDHrec ranks this card #5,764 in Commander, putting it in the niche-pick tier of the format's playable pool.
Illustrated by Jason Felix. Rarix catalogs 558 other cards credited to this artist.
Magic: The Gathering · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · Illus. Jason Felix
Card data via Scryfall. Rarix is fan-made; not endorsed by the rights holders.
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.
Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.
If the targeted opponent has fewer than thirteen cards in their library, that player puts their entire library into their graveyard.
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.
The opponent you target doesn’t have to be the opponent who searched their library.
