Archive Trap
Archive Trap Price Summary
As of Aug 8, 2026, the cheapest tracked printing of Archive Trap is $1.14 (OTP #7, Showcase), and the most expensive is $25.37 (ZEN #41, Foil). The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $1.76, down 1.7% over 7 days, down 20.0% over 30 days, up 93.4% over 90 days. All-time tracked high: $2.29 (2026).
Archive Trap Printings & Prices
Archive Trap has 3 tracked printings across 3 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes, including showcase treatments.
Sell Archive Trap: Buylist Offers
Card Kingdom currently pays $8.50 cash for ZEN #41 (Foil); the retail-buylist spread on that printing is 50% (wide).
| Buyer | Printing | Finish | Cash offer | Retail | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| starcitygames | ZEN #41 | Foil | $9.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | ZEN #41 | Foil | $8.50 | $16.99 | 50% |
| Card Kingdom | PLST #ZEN-41 | Nonfoil | $2.00 | $3.99 | 50% |
| CoolStuffInc | ZEN #41 | Nonfoil | $1.50 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | OTP #7 | Foil | $1.40 | $3.49 | 60% |
| Card Kingdom | ZEN #41 | Nonfoil | $1.00 | $3.99 | 75% |
| starcitygames | ZEN #41 | Nonfoil | $1.00 | — | — |
| starcitygames | OTP #7 | Foil | $1.00 | — | — |
| Card Kingdom | OTP #7 | Nonfoil | $0.36 | $1.79 | 80% |
| starcitygames | OTP #7 | Nonfoil | $0.25 | — | — |
Archive Trap Rules Text & Legality
If an opponent searched their library this turn, you may pay {0} rather than pay this spell's mana cost.
Target opponent mills thirteen cards.
Archive Trap is legal in Modern, Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard, Pioneer and Pauper.
Archive Trap Rulings
- Oct 1, 2009 A spell or ability causes a player to search their library only if it specifically contains the word “search” in its text. For example, if a spell or ability lets a player look at the top four cards of their library and do something with one of those cards, that’s not a search.
- Oct 1, 2009 Archive Trap checks only whether an opponent searched their library. It doesn’t matter whether that player found a card during the search.
- Oct 1, 2009 Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn’t change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay.
- Oct 1, 2009 Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.
- Oct 1, 2009 If a search effect is affected by Aven Mindcensor’s ability (which causes a player to search the top four cards of their library instead), that still counts as searching that library.
Reprints & Reprint Risk
Archive Trap has been reprinted 5 times. The Breaking News reprint cut the price 75% in 30 days.
| Set | Date | Rarity | Treatment | Price before | Day 1 | 30 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTP #7 | 2024-04-19 | Rare | Showcase | $4.95 | $0.89 | $1.24 | $1.34 |
| OTP #7 | 2024-04-19 | Rare | Showcase | $8.40 | $3.09 | $2.52 | $2.38 |
| PLST #ZEN-41 | 2022-04-29 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| ZEN #41 | 2009-10-02 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
| ZEN #41 | 2009-10-02 | Rare | Standard | — | — | — | — |
OTP #7 
PLST #ZEN-41 
ZEN #41 Archive Trap in Commander
Archive Trap is the #5,793 most-played card on EDHREC, down 6 places over the last 30 days.
Archive Trap FAQ
How much is Archive Trap worth?
Archive Trap is worth about $1.76 for its cheapest playable printing as of Aug 8, 2026. Prices range from $1.14 to $25.37 across 3 tracked printings.
Is Archive Trap legal in Commander?
Yes — Archive Trap is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Modern and Legacy.
Has Archive Trap been reprinted?
Yes — Archive Trap has been reprinted 5 times, with 3 printings tracked on The Index.
Why is Archive Trap cheap?
Archive Trap trades at about $1.76 — 5 reprints keep supply plentiful, and Commander demand is modest (#5,793 on EDHREC).