Biting Tether MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2008-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadowmoor |
| Set code | SHM |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Thomas Denmark |
Text of card
Enchant creature You control enchanted creature. At the beginning of your upkeep, put a -1/-1 counter on enchanted creature.
A chain of lies as strong as steel.
Cards like Biting Tether
Biting Tether shines as an intriguing enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels to control magic effects like Mind Control. What sets Biting Tether apart is its dual functionality – not only does it take command of an opponent’s creature but unlike Mind Control, it also sports the capability to untap that creature for a surprise blocker or attacker once each turn.
Diving into comparable cards, there’s the classic Control Magic, offering a straightforward creature usurp strategy. However, Biting Tether’s unique tap feature provides added versatility. Takeover is another entrant in the realm of control spells, its significant distinction is the capacity to snatch multiple creatures with enough treasures. Despite its grander scale, the immediate impact of Biting Tether on one creature’s loyalty could be more relevant in certain game scenarios.
When comparing the advantages and strategic implications of these enchantments, Biting Tether earns its place among Magic: The Gathering’s creature control cards. Its singular twist on creature domination, combined with the untap mechanic, adds an extra layer of strategy, making it a versatile and formidable card to have at your disposal.
Cards similar to Biting Tether by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Biting Tether shines as it equips you with the ability to gain control over an opponent’s creature. This can lead to a significant swing in board state, and can often disrupt your opponent’s strategy while bolstering your own position.
Resource Acceleration: By taking control of an additional creature, you effectively accelerate your resources on the battlefield. This puts you at an advantage by making use of your opponent’s investment, and can lead to more efficient plays and a quicker route to victory.
Instant Speed: The fact that Biting Tether can be played at instant speed adds a layer of versatility and surprise to its use. You can wait for the most opportune moment to disrupt an opponent’s combo or attack, making it a powerful tool for both defense and offense.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Biting Tether necessitates the discarding of a card, which can deplete your hand, potentially putting you at a strategic disadvantage if you can’t afford the card loss.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a hybrid mana for casting, which could be a stumbling block for decks that don’t run both of the required colors, thereby limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effects, players might find alternative enchantments or spells that accomplish similar goals without the hefty mana investment, potentially outpacing Biting Tether in a game where tempo is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Biting Tether offers a unique blend of control and recurring damage, making it an asset in various blue-centric decks. Its ability to enchant a creature gives you not just a creature control mechanism but also a consistent source of damage over turns.
Combo Potential: Its effect aligns perfectly with decks that capitalize on enchantments or focus on disabling opponents’ creatures. Biting Tether can be part of a combo that keeps key enemy threats in check while you advance your board state.
Meta-Relevance: Given the pace of the current environment where creature-based strategies are prominent, having an enchantment that can turn opponents’ creatures into an advantage for you, could be a game-changer. Biting Tether remains a relevant choice in a meta where commanding the battlefield is crucial.
How to beat
Biting Tether represents an enchantment aura spell in MTG that offers a strategic method to gain control of an opponent’s creature. This card, similar to Control Magic, shifts possession of the targeted creature for as long as Biting Tether remains on the battlefield. To counteract this, one effective tactic is to keep enchantment removal spells in your deck. Spells such as Naturalize or Disenchant can instantly remove Biting Tether, thereby breaking the control over your creature.
Alternatively, cards like Negate grant the ability to counter Biting Tether before it latches onto your beloved creature, ensuring your forces remain under your command. Moreover, employing hexproof or shroud abilities on your creatures can prevent them from becoming ensnared by such controlling enchantments. Cards like Swiftfoot Boots or the spell Blossoming Defense offer your creatures the protection they need to thwart the binding power of Biting Tether.
Understanding when to play your defensive spells and maintaining vigilance for the timing of your opponent’s enchantments is key to safeguarding your board and ensuring your strategy is undisturbed by such controlling tactics in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Biting Tether MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Biting Tether 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Biting Tether has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |