Captured by the Consulate MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 8s
2016-09-30 - Number 8
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature you don't control Enchanted creature can't attack. Whenever an opponent casts a spell, if it has a single target, change the target to enchanted creature if able.
"At last, the infamous Pia Nalaar." —Tezzeret
Cards like Captured by the Consulate
Exploring the landscape of detainment effects in Magic: The Gathering leads us to the remarkable Captured by the Consulate. This enchantment binds a single target creature, preventing it from becoming the focus of opponent’s spells or abilities, a tactic that shares attributes with other protection spells but carves out its own niche. A notable parallel can be drawn to Arrest, which similarly neutralizes the abilities of the ensnared creature and forbids it from attacking or blocking.
Where Captured by the Consulate differs significantly is its political utility, as it can redirect your adversaries’ removal spells onto other creatures. A less direct cousin is Ghostly Prison, which doesn’t tie down individual creatures but imposes a cost on opponents who wish to attack you, providing an overall protective barrier. Yet another analogue is Pacifism, quite direct in its effect, halting a creature from attacking or blocking, however, it lacks the more nuanced control over enemy spells.
In essence, while each of these enchantments serves a purpose in controlling opposition, Captured by the Consulate introduces a strategic layer that can manipulate the flow of combat and spell targeting, distinguishing itself within the realm of protective Magic: The Gathering spells.
Cards similar to Captured by the Consulate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Captured by the Consulate shines in the realm of card advantage, as it effectively removes an opponent’s creature from combat and negates any abilities that require it to attack or block. This often forces the opponent to commit more resources to the board to compensate, which can lead to advantageous trades or sweepers.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in the conventional sense, Captured by the Consulate can indirectly cause resource acceleration by tying up your opponent’s resources. This skew in resource balance can allow you to develop your board presence or strategy with less interference.
Instant Speed: As an enchantment, Captured by the Consulate is played at sorcery speed. However, it does come with an ability triggered at instant speed—whenever an opponent casts a spell, if it has a single target, they must target the enchanted creature if able. This adds a layer of tactical depth to your plays, as you can bait your opponent into wasting removal spells or other targeted effects.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Captured by the Consulate does not directly mandate discarding cards, but because of its relatively high cost and situational nature, it might force players to discard other cards to maintain hand balance.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and blue mana, Captured by the Consulate demands a specific mana base, potentially restricting it to decks that can reliably generate both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana including two that are color-specific, some players may find the card cost-inefficient, considering alternative enchantments or removal spells provide similar or better functionality for less mana.
Reasons to Include Captured by the Consulate in Your Collection
Versatility: Captured by the Consulate provides a unique control element that can be incorporated into a variety of white or multicolor decks. Its ability to attach to an opponent’s creature not only neutralizes it but also redirects any targeted spells. This can create complex situations on the battlefield that your opponent must navigate carefully.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on detain and control mechanics. Its interaction with other spells and abilities that punish targeted creatures, such as those that cause loss of life or card disadvantage to the opponent, can create potent combinations to gain the upper hand.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where individual creatures can dominate the game or combo off with targeted spells, Captured by the Consulate can act as a safeguard. The card’s ability to effectively shut down a key piece of your opponent’s strategy can be pivotal in games where high-value targets are prevalent. Its relevance tends to increase in environments where creature-based strategies are dominant.
How to Beat Captured by the Consulate
Overcoming Captured by the Consulate in your Magic: The Gathering matches can be a solid strategy to neutralize one of your opponent’s creatures. This enchantment effectively limits your ability to engage with the targeted creature, hindering both your attack and ability to target with spells. One effective method to get around this is by using board wipes such as Wrath of God or Fumigate which clear the board without targeting individual creatures.
Alternatively, cards that force sacrifices, like Diabolic Edict, bypass the limitation since players choose the creature to sacrifice. Finally, another path to reclaim your creature’s full potential is by utilizing enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize. By eliminating the enchantment altogether, you free your creature to once again participate fully in your game, whether that’s attacking, blocking, or being targeted with beneficial spells. Blind targeting like Hex or Council’s Judgment, which don’t single out a creature directly, can also be used to seamlessly remove obstacles created by Captured by the Consulate.
Remember, it is crucial to understand the mechanics of this card and prepare your deck with versatile answers. With the right approach and timing, dealing with Captured by the Consulate becomes a manageable task in any match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Captured by the Consulate MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh Promos and Kaladesh, 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 Captured by the Consulate 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 Captured by the Consulate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2016-09-30. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh Promos | PKLD | 8s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Jacobson | |
| 2 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Jacobson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Captured by the Consulate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Captured by the Consulate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | If a spell has multiple targets, it doesn't have a single target even if the same object is chosen for each of those targets. |
| 2016-09-20 | If the spell can't target the enchanted creature, its target remains unchanged. |
| 2016-09-20 | If there is more than one Captured by the Consulate on the battlefield, the triggered ability of each one will change the target if able. The last one to resolve determines what that spell finally targets. If one player controls more than one Capture by the Consulate, they choose the order in which they resolve. If multiple players control those Auras, the first player among them in turn order (starting with the player whose turn it is now) is the one whose triggered ability resolves last. |
| 2016-09-20 | When a player casts an Aura spell, it targets the creature that it will enchant and may cause Captured by the Consulate's last ability to trigger. |
| 2016-09-20 | When you attach Captured by the Consulate to an opponent's creature, you still control Captured by the Consulate. Its last ability triggers whenever your opponents cast a spell with a single target, not when an opponent of the creature's controller casts a spell with a single target. |
| 2018-01-19 | There are many important moments in the story, but the most crucial—called “story spotlights”—are shown on cards. These cards have the Planeswalker symbol in their text box; this symbol has no effect on gameplay. You can read more about these events in the official Magic fiction at http://www.mtgstory.com. |