Because I Have Willed It MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Ongoing Scheme |
| Released | 2017-06-16 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas Schemes |
| Set code | OE01 |
| Number | 1★ |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Scheme |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adrian Majkrzak |
Key Takeaways
- “Because I Have Willed It” grants card advantage for personalized and better response times within the game.
- This card’s instant speed ability allows players to influence the game outside of their own turn.
- Despite its power, a high mana cost and color specificity may limit the card’s deck compatibility.
Text of card
(An ongoing scheme remains face up until it's abandoned.) Spells you cast cost less to cast. At the beginning of your opponents' end step, if they cast four or more spells this turn, abandon this scheme.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: “Because I Have Willed It” is a valuable option to sustain momentum by selecting and drawing the perfect response to unfolding gameplay, enhancing consistency and giving you an upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: The card deftly empowers your deck with the ability to manipulate mana resources. By potentially reducing the cost of your spells or triggering abilities that depend on spell casting, it increases your capability to deploy more strategies within a single turn.
Instant Speed: The versatility of “Because I Have Willed It” is exemplified by its capability for instant action. This trait permits strategic depth, offering the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their phase, maximizing the impact of your plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Because I Have Willed It obliges you to part ways with another card from your hand, which might not always be feasible or strategic, especially if your hand size is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell demands a precise and somewhat less common combination of mana colors, which could restrict its integration into a variety of decks or not align with the mana base you’re working with in-game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s effectiveness is offset by its high mana cost, which could be seen as excessive when there are other spells in the game that perform similar functions at a lower cost, thereby affecting its overall efficiency and playability in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Because I Have Willed It in Your Collection
Versatility: Because I Have Willed It is a flexible addition to any player’s arsenal, seamlessly integrating into different play styles and deck archetypes. Its ability to dictate the pace of the game can prove invaluable in both aggressive and control-focused decks alike.
Combo Potential: With its unique effect on game mechanics, Because I Have Willed It can serve as a key combo piece, enabling intricate interactions with other cards. In the right deck, these synergies can unlock new avenues for victory and catch opponents off-guard.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving game landscape, remaining ahead of the meta is crucial. Because I Have Willed It maintains relevance by countering popular strategies and offering a way to outmaneuver the competition, making it a must-have for those seeking to dominate their next match.
How to beat
“Because I Have Willed It” introduces a control dimension to blue’s arsenal in Magic: The Gathering. This card might seem daunting with its power to nullify an opponent’s spell unless its caster pays an additional two mana. It shines in the early stages, where mana is scarce, and opponents need precise resource allocation. However, there are strategies to navigate around it.
One approach is stocking your deck with low-cost spells and efficient mana sources to overcome the additional cost imposed by this card. Directly countering it with spells like “Negate” or “Dovin’s Veto” can also be an effective solution. Alternatively, baiting out this card with less crucial spells can leave the path clear for more significant plays later on. It’s also noteworthy that this card can be redundant or less impactful in the later game stages when mana becomes plentiful, allowing for smooth casting despite the tax.
Always stay mindful of your mana pool and plan your spell casting sequences carefully. “Because I Have Willed It” can be a roadblock, but with foresight and savvy play, you can turn the tables on your opponent and maintain the flow of your game.
Cards like Because I Have Willed It
Because I Have Willed It is an intriguing card with unique abilities among Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of spells. It resonates with command-style cards like Cryptic Command in that it offers multifaceted utility, allowing a player to tailor effects to the current game state. Where Because I Have Willed It shines is in its sheer flexibility, granting the player the power to control the outcome of specific situations.
Looking at a comparable card like Silumgar’s Command, both emphasize choice and adaptability during gameplay. However, Because I Have Willed It is more focused on singular decisive moments, shaping them to the caster’s advantage, while Silumgar’s Command provides a broader array of options but with less targeted impact. In contrast, Ojutai’s Command has a narrower scope but presents key strategic opportunities – offering life gain, creature recursion, or countering an opponent’s creature spell. These commands do not share the direct steering control imbued in Because I Have Willed It, which separates itself with its distinct influence over specific game actions.
As such, While aligning with the versatility inherent in the command cards, Because I Have Willed It stands out by allowing MTG players to dominate particular key moments, ensuring a significant tilt in the game’s momentum. Its distinct nature makes it a valuable addition to any deck requiring precise control over game events.
Cards similar to Because I Have Willed It by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Because I Have Willed It MTG card by a specific set like Archenemy: Nicol Bolas Schemes, 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 Because I Have Willed It and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Because I Have Willed It card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-06-13 | Abilities that reduce the cost of a spell apply after abilities that raise them. For example, Borrowed Malevolence with both modes chosen costs to cast if this scheme is face up. |
| 2017-06-13 | Effects that reduce the generic mana cost of a spell can’t reduce that spell’s colored mana requirements. |
| 2017-06-13 | For this scheme’s second ability to trigger, the players on the opposing team must have cast four spells total among them. |
| 2017-06-13 | If an instant or sorcery spell has in its mana cost, choose the value for X first, then reduce the cost by . For example, Volcanic Geyser with X chosen as 4 costs to cast if this scheme is face up. |
| 2017-06-13 | If an opponent cast a spell during the opposing team’s turn and then left the game, that spell counts when determining whether the last ability of this scheme triggers. |
| 2017-06-13 | In a Supervillain Rumble game, the last ability of this scheme triggers at the beginning of each opponent’s end step if that player alone has cast four or more spells that turn. |
| 2017-06-13 | The second ability only checks that four or more spells were cast. It doesn’t matter if those spells are countered or fail to resolve for other reasons. |
