Refraction Trap
Instant — Trap
If an opponent cast a red instant or sorcery spell this turn, you may pay 
rather than pay this spell's mana cost.
Prevent the next 3 damage that a source of your choice would deal to you and/or permanents you control this turn. If damage is prevented this way, Refraction Trap deals that much damage to any target.
- CMC
- 4
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- W
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Worldwake
- Price
- $0.05
- EDHREC rank
- #28514
Refraction Trap redirects a spell targeting you or a permanent you control to a new target — for as little as W if an opponent cast a red spell this turn. It's a conditional but cheap answer to red burn and targeted removal that doubles as a surprise ambush.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Refraction Trap earns a slot primarily in white-heavy control and pillowfort builds where red removal and burn are common threats across three opponents — the discount triggers often enough to make it nearly free interaction. In Legacy and Vintage, the format is too fast and too blue-dominated for a conditional white instant to see competitive play; it simply doesn't answer the threats that matter. Modern has occasionally flirted with trap cards in fringe sideboards, but Refraction Trap's narrow trigger condition and single-target effect make it too inconsistent to displace staple interaction.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.05 bulk tier
At $0.05, Refraction Trap is deep bulk — the kind of card you find in a common box at the bottom of a dealer's table. The price reflects its narrow playability, and there's no meaningful floor to speak of; it holds value only as a cheap one-of in a Commander deck that genuinely wants it.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.