Intruder Alarm

Description

Intruder Alarm, identified as card number 86 in the Eighth Edition set, remains a notable inclusion for players building blue-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. The card functions as a blue Enchantment with a mana cost of two generic mana and one blue mana, offering a strategic balance between resource investment and board impact. The tactical value of Intruder Alarm lies in its ability to disrupt the natural flow of combat. By preventing creatures from untapping during their controller's untap step, it effectively neutralizes the opponent's offensive capabilities for a turn. This effect is particularly potent against decks relying on continuous pressure or multiple attackers. Conversely, the card includes a built-in recovery mechanism: whenever any creature enters the battlefield, all creatures untap. This clause allows players to maintain board presence and reset their own forces while simultaneously applying pressure to the opponent. Card #86 was illustrated by Luca Zontini, whose work contributes to the visual identity of this era. As a Rare card, Intruder Alarm holds a specific place in the set's distribution, appealing to those who appreciate the mechanical depth of early 2000s Magic design. Whether used in constructed formats or casual games, its ability to swing momentum through temporal control makes it a respected tool in any blue deck's arsenal.