Act of Treason MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 18 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. (It can attack and this turn.)
"Rage courses in every heart, yearning to betray its rational prison." —Sarkhan Vol
Cards like Act of Treason
Act of Treason holds a unique position in the realm of creature control cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares its core functionality with cards like Hijack and Wrangle, which also temporarily seize control of opponents’ creatures. Act of Treason distinguishes itself by focusing solely on creature commandeering for a single turn, which enables a distinctly aggressive playstyle.
Comparatively, Kari Zev’s Expertise not only allows you to gain control of a creature for a turn but also enables you to cast a spell with a converted mana cost of two or less from your hand without paying its mana cost. This dual advantage can swing the momentum of the game swiftly in your favor. Conversely, Ray of Command provides instant speed interaction, offering similar control effects as Act of Treason but allowing for more reactive plays during your opponent’s turn.
It’s evident that while Act of Treason is a straightforward and cost-effective means to temporarily gain control of enemy forces, each alternative card brings its own strategic twist to the table. Players must therefore weigh these options against their specific deck’s game plan and the likely scenarios they will encounter in a match.
Cards similar to Act of Treason by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Act of Treason shines by temporarily seizing control of your opponent’s creature, effectively giving you an additional attacker or blocker for the turn. This can swing the tide of a match, providing the advantage of using your opponent’s resources against them without expending your own creatures.
Resource Acceleration: Though Act of Treason doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, it does accelerate your game plan by temporarily giving you access to one of your opponent’s creatures. This can help you utilize that creature’s abilities or simply benefit from its power and toughness without the need to invest mana in casting a creature of your own.
Instant Speed: While Act of Treason is a sorcery, its effect can be as impactful as an instant by creating sudden and unexpected shifts in board state during your turn. Timing the casting of this spell can dramatically leverage the battlefield in your favor, allowing for decisive plays that can lead to game-winning scenarios.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Act of Treason doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, leveraging its temporary control effect often requires additional cards in your hand to fully utilize the stolen creature within a single turn. This could pressure players into depleting valuable hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Act of Treason has a specific mana cost that includes red mana. This limits its flexibility as it can only be included in decks that run red mana sources. Players running multi-color decks may find the red mana requirement restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two generic and one red, some players might find Act of Treason pricey for a single-turn effect. Other MTG cards may offer more permanent control solutions or additional benefits for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Act of Treason in Your Collection
Versatility: Act of Treason offers a flexible approach to gameplay, capable of swinging the tide in various deck archetypes. It can turn your opponent’s strongest creature against them temporarily, opening a window of opportunity for direct attacks or advantageous sacrifices.
Combo Potential: When paired with sacrifice outlets, Act of Treason can become part of a devastating combo, allowing you to not only remove key creatures from your opponent’s side but also reap additional benefits. This could mean extra life, damage or even drawing cards, contributing to a wide array of strategies.
Meta-Relevance: This card shines in environments where control decks and creature-heavy strategies prevail. Being able to temporarily seize control of top-tier threats in the current meta can disrupt your opponent’s plans and offer a significant tempo boost in your favor.
How to beat
Act of Treason is a dynamic card known for temporarily seizing control of an opponent’s creature, often turning the tides of a game in Magic: The Gathering. This temporary theft can be devastating, especially when used to claim a powerful creature and use it against its original owner. To effectively counter Act of Treason, players should prioritize keeping mana available for instant-speed removal spells to eliminate their own creature in response, thus preventing the opponent from benefiting from the theft.
Another strategy involves utilizing creatures with hexproof or shroud, making them ineligible targets for Act of Treason. Additionally, cards that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn can protect them from being sacrificed if an opponent tries to exploit an Act of Treason and a sacrifice outlet combo. Lastly, tapping or otherwise using your creatures’ abilities before they can be taken is wise, ensuring they do not sit idle and become easy targets for your opponent’s Act of Treason. Keeping these tactics in mind will help preserve your board state and mitigate the surprise factor and potential impact of this treacherous card.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the art of control in Magic: The Gathering can decisively enhance your gameplay, and Act of Treason exemplifies this strategy with its creature commandeering abilities. Understanding its pros and cons, as well as recognizing similar cards, is pivotal for any MTG enthusiast aiming to optimize their deck. Whether employing resource acceleration tactics, exploiting combo potentials, or tackling meta-relevant challenges, Act of Treason has a rightful place in your collection under the right circumstances. Craft your decks wisely, considering this spell’s capabilities to disrupt and dictate the flow of battle. Visit us for deeper insights on incorporating cards like Act of Treason effectively into your game plan and advancing your MTG expertise. Embrace the tactical advantage and let your strategy evolve.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Act of Treason MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Duels of the Planeswalkers, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Act of Treason and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Act of Treason Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 124 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
2 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
3 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 121 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
4 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 121 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
5 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 85 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
6 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 125 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
7 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
8 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Min Yum | |
9 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 95y | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josiah "Jo" Cameron | |
10 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 129 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
11 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 118 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
12 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
13 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
14 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
15 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 831 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
16 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 289 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
17 | The List | PLST | RNA-91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | ||
18 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Act of Treason has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Act of Treason card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2019-07-12 | Act of Treason can target any creature, even one that's untapped or one you already control. |
2019-07-12 | Gaining control of a creature doesn't cause you to gain control of any Auras or Equipment attached to it. |