Pointed Discussion

This would have been better in another set.

This set is a bit of a "power/toughness" matters set. Like to punish things will low power/toughness. (And mana cost too).

Oh man, this card was such a sleeper during the Prerelease. I don't know how many times my friend has used this on my Levelers before swinging back with them. Its effectiveness wanes when facing Eldrazi Spawn Ramp decks, but very effective against level up creatures and utility creatures. How about shutting down those Treespeakers, eh?

I like the art actually, but I wanted this to cost 3 not 4, its still an enchantment that can be removed and it only works on low level creatures. On the flip side, creature steal is fun, and its perfect for an enchantment deck. This goes so well with kor spirit dancer or aura gnarlid, you steal their creature while making yours bigger and drawing cards.

Proof that power seep exists as well as power creep. Creatures get better, spells get weaker.

I want my Control Magic back. Creatures are way too insane now to be limited with 4 power.

I've actually had a level 7 Lighthouse Chronologist taken from me. T'was very unfortunate...until I cast Induce Despair, revealing Pathrazer of Ulamog to kill it. THAT IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU BETRAY ME, YOU DISLOYAL PIECE OF S#!%. >:V

permanent Mind control should be black cards (see Enslave).

Opposing colors = opposing effects. If red gets a short-time "gain control" spells, either black or green should have the similar, but permanent effect. Blue mages do focus on the mind of others, but they still have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. So if a blue mage uses mind-conttrol, he shifts to the black side.

Can you giant growth with this to make it larger than 4 temporarily? I'm not sure if you can setup the stack for which effect ends and triggers first.

I cried from laughter at your comment, DonRoyale. Thank you.

why must all the "mind control" type cards have such bad art?
@ Cheza *** you

@ Mitzleplick

503. Upkeep Step

503.1. First, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of the upkeep step and any abilities that triggered
during the turn’s untap step go on the stack. (See rule 603, “Handling Triggered Abilities.”)

503.2. Second, the active player gets priority. Players may cast spells and activate abilities.

I think you could pump it Mitz. Domestication is a triggered ability. It goes on the stack, you respond with Giant Growth or something. Giant Growth resolves, Domestication's ability resolves and sees that the creature it is enchanting has 4 or greater power, and is sacrificed.

stole a Transcendent Master with this in a draft tournament. hehehehehe.

I like it. It definitely should cost less, but there are lots of useful creatures you can steal.

Us this with Venser, the Sojourner's First ability to screw with your opponent's head.

scumbling: Unless you could flash this out, you don't get to block with a fatty- the aura pops on your end step. Though I HAVE used this as a psuedo-Threaten to steal then sacrifice a fatty.

Cheza: Don't forget, though, that morality among colours tends to not be very solid. In the classic example, a white knight could be a paragon of good, or a over-zealous witch-burner. Some blue mages, I'm sure, have no qualms about peering into people's minds and ripping out whatever they care to. Some use their powers only for the betterment of society. Their allied colours are black and white, after all, which makes them a little morally grey. Mechanically, it just isn't the current colour pie. Black got Enslave during the Time Spiral block, when the colour pie was purposefully shifted for flavour (and dicking-with-players) purposes.

I think it's all too fitting flavour-wise that vampires are great targets for this. They seem the sort to enjoy the collar and chains to go with their matted hair and pale faces. Stealing a Nighthawk the turn after it drops just feels so right.

I like it. Obviously, it's not as good as Control Magic, but it's clear that Wizard thinks unconditional theft spells should cost five now. The sacrifice to get the cost down to the original four isn't much at all -- take their fattie, let it block for you for a turn, and then kill it. Not bad.

"Unless you could flash this out, you don't get to block with a fatty- the aura pops on your end step."

You're right. I'm not sure why I thought this triggered at the beginning of your upkeep; must've been thinking of Reality Acid...

I still like the card.

With it's sealed usefulness long past, I think that the final verdict on this card is that it is terrible. 2/5 at best. even in casual games where your opponents are slamming down goblin pikers, why would you use this when there are so many better 4cmc spells to use? Get some Mind Controls. Call it a day. You will not regret it.