Needlebite Trap

Magic the Gathering symbolMagic the Gathering symbolMagic the Gathering symbol
Instant — Trap

If an opponent gained life this turn, you may pay Magic the Gathering symbol rather than pay this spell's mana cost.

Target player loses 5 life and you gain 5 life.

The traps around the vampire city of Malakir hint at the thirst of its inhabitants.

qDaarken
standard
Not Legal
alchemy
Not Legal
pioneer
Not Legal
modern
Legal
historic
Not Legal
standard brawl
Not Legal
historic brawl
Not Legal
timeless
Not Legal

Rulings

You may ignore a Trap's alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met.
(wotc2009-10-01)
Needlebite Trap's alternative cost condition checks only whether life was gained. It doesn't care whether life was also lost. For example, if an opponent gained 4 life and lost 6 life during the turn, that player will have a lower life total than they started the turn with — but you can still cast Needlebite Trap by paying {B}.
(wotc2009-10-01)
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.
(wotc2009-10-01)
Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.
(wotc2009-10-01)
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