The 1994 Foreign Black Border Winter Orb (Card #280), a Rare artifact card from Magic: The Gathering that fundamentally changed gameplay mechanics.
1994 • Magic: The Gathering • Foreign Black Border
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| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$79.99 | Guide Estimate | 0% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 5, 2026
Released in 1994 as part of the Foreign Black Border series, the Winter Orb stands as one of the most influential artifacts in Magic: The Gathering history. Designated as Card #280 and marked with the set code FBB, this Rare card quickly became a staple of competitive play due to its overwhelming strategic impact. The card is an Artifact with a mana cost of two, allowing players to deploy it early in the game to exert significant control over their opponents' resources. The power of the Winter Orb lies in its restrictive ability. When untapped, it prevents any player from untapping more than one land during their untap step. This mechanic effectively froze the board, limiting mana availability and drastically slowing the pace of the game. Because of this disruptive effect, the card was banned in many formats, cementing its legacy as a card that defined an era of design philosophy. Collectors value the FBB version for its historical significance and its role in shaping early Magic: The Gathering strategy. Owning a copy of this Rare artifact provides a tangible connection to the foundational years of the trading card game. It serves as a reminder of how a single card can alter the competitive landscape.
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The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Winter Orb
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Mark Tedin
Card Stock
French
{2}
Artifact
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
As long as this artifact is untapped, players can't untap more than one land during their untap steps.
FAQ
Winter Orb is a Rare Artifact card from the 1994 Foreign Black Border set. It restricts players to untapping only one land per turn, significantly limiting their mana output.
The card's ability to severely restrict an opponent's resources was deemed too powerful for balanced play. This led to its ban in most competitive formats to preserve game integrity.
The set code for the 1994 Foreign Black Border release of the Winter Orb is FBB. It is identified as Card #280 within that specific set.
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