Detention Vortex
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant nonland permanent
Enchanted permanent can't attack or block, and its activated abilities can't be activated.
: Destroy this Aura. Only your opponents may activate this ability and only as a sorcery.
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- W
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Strixhaven: School of Mages
- Price
- $0.08
- EDHREC rank
- #20766
Detention Vortex enchants a permanent and locks it down until the Vortex itself leaves — solid, clean exile-on-a-stick that handles any permanent type for two mana. The catch is that it's an aura targeting a nonland permanent you control first, which means misreading the targeting sequence will cost you.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Detention Vortex competes in a crowded field of white removal enchantments, but two mana for any nonland permanent is a real rate, and the enchantment type matters for synergies with Zur the Enchanter or enchantress strategies. In Modern and Pioneer, Detention Vortex is legal but sees essentially no play — those formats want exile at instant speed or with fewer hoops, and this doesn't clear that bar. Legacy and Vintage have even higher bars; the card simply doesn't register there. The sweet spot is enchantment-matters Commander builds where every aura has additional upside and Detention Vortex earns its slot on theme alone.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.08 bulk tier
At $0.08, Detention Vortex is deep bulk — you're picking this out of a dollar box or grabbing a playset for pocket change. Bulk removal enchantments at this price point don't appreciate unless a new commander dramatically spikes demand, so treat it as a cheap include, not a hold.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.