Quick Answer

Essence Capture is a uncommon Instant from RNA (RNA) costing {U}{U}. Current price: $0.09 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Essence Capture MTG card

Essence Capture

Instant

Card Text

Counter target creature spell. Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature you control.

"It's not enough to defeat our foes. We must learn from them, too." —Vannifar

Card Stats

uncommon CMC: 2.0 RNA RNA 🎨 Mathias Kollros

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.09
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.56
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.08
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.50
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (3 total)

Community Stats

-
Decks Using This Card
-
Comments

Often Played With

Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Essence Capture? Basics

Essence Capture is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Counter target creature spell. Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature you control."

How much mana does Essence Capture cost to cast? Basics

Essence Capture has a mana cost of {U}{U}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Essence Capture's mana cost of {U}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Essence Capture has a mana value of 2.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Essence Capture's current oracle text is: "Counter target creature spell. Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature you control."

What is the current price of Essence Capture? Pricing

The current market price for Essence Capture is approximately $0.09 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.56 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.08 EUR.

Where can I buy Essence Capture? Pricing

You can purchase Essence Capture from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Essence Capture normal: $0.09 | foil: $0.56

Is Essence Capture legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Essence Capture in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Essence Capture legal in Modern? Legality

Essence Capture is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Essence Capture legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Essence Capture is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Essence Capture legal in Pioneer? Legality

Essence Capture is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Essence Capture legal in Legacy? Legality

Essence Capture is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Essence Capture legal in Vintage? Legality

Essence Capture is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Essence Capture legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Essence Capture in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Essence Capture from? Details

This printing of Essence Capture is from RNA (RNA), with collector number 37.

Essence Capture may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Essence Capture's rarity? Details

Essence Capture is a uncommon card in RNA.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Essence Capture? Details

Essence Capture was illustrated by Mathias Kollros.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

Log in to leave a comment

Loading comments...

Want to build a deck with this card?

Sign up or log in to start deck building

Log In to Build Decks