Aura of Dominion MTG Card

Aura of Dominion - Champions of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Number	51
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

Turns creatures into card advantage and resource accelerators with its ability to tap and untap.
Grants instant-speed interaction, crucial for adapting to opponent’s moves and maximizing turn efficiency.
While offering unique benefits, its effectiveness is dependent on deck compatibility and mana availability.

Text of card

, Tap an untapped creature you control: Untap enchanted creature.

"Lies and deceit do yield results, but legitimate authority is the ultimate form of control." —Meloku the Clouded Mirror

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aura of Dominion allows you to tap down a creature not only for offensive or defensive strategies but also enables you to exploit tap abilities of creatures you control. This opens the door to potentially draw more cards if aligned with creatures having tap-to-draw abilities, effectively increasing your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By adhering to a creature, it essentially turns that creature into a resource engine. If the enchanted creature has any form of mana production tied to its tap ability, Aura of Dominion can be a catalyst for ramping up your mana resources each turn, accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Aura of Dominion is an enchantment, it grants the ability to use the enchanted creature’s tap ability at instant speed, provided that creature doesn’t have summoning sickness. This offers considerable flexibility, allowing you to respond to opponents’ actions during their turn or simply maximizing your mana usage by untapping your creature just before your turn begins.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Aura of Dominion, while there isn’t a direct discard requirement, you need to tap a creature to activate its abilities. This could lead to a strategic setback if the tapped creature is crucial for your defense or offensive strategies, particularly in a game where maintaining a board presence is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: Aura of Dominion comes with a mana cost that includes blue, which means it’s designed for a certain type of deck—often control or combo-oriented. If your deck isn’t built to accommodate blue mana easily or if you’re facing a color-screwed situation, having it in your hand may not be as beneficial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it’s not the most expensive aura out there, the two-mana cost for Aura of Dominion is still a commitment, especially for a card that doesn’t produce an immediate impact on the game. There are auras and other enchantments that can be cast for less and offer more immediate or potent board effects, making Aura of Dominion potentially less desirable in a fast-paced, efficiency-driven game.

Reasons to Include Aura of Dominion in Your Collection

Versatility: Aura of Dominion offers the flexibility to tap or untap creatures at critical moments, fitting well in control decks or those that capitalize on summoning sickness.

Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes with cards that benefit from tapping or untapping creatures, thereby opening the door to several powerful interactions and infinite combos within certain deck archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where locking down opponent’s creatures or repeatedly using your own for various effects is beneficial, Aura of Dominion can prove to be a crucial piece, potentially shifting the tide of a match.

How to beat

Aura of Dominion presents an interesting dynamic in the realm of control enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. This Aura allows you to untap enchanted creature at the simple cost of tapping another creature you control. However, overcoming this card hinges on recognizing that it can leave your opponent relying on a particular creature or strategy.

Employing removal spells that can specifically target enchantments, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, will directly disrupt the enchanted creature’s newfound flexibility. Counterspells are equally effective; spells like Negate can prevent Aura of Dominion from ever hitting the field. Moreover, focusing on instant speed interaction can give you the upper hand by responding efficiently to your opponent’s attempts to utilize the enchanted creature during their turn.

Ultimately, the key to defeating this card lies in flexibility and prompt disruption. By keeping your removal and counterspells ready, you are well-equipped to handle the strategic shifts that Aura of Dominion may impose on the battlefield, ensuring that your opponent’s plans remain in check as you steer the game towards your victory.

Cards like Aura of Dominion

Aura of Dominion holds a unique place among Aura cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative in functionality might be Pemmin’s Aura, which similarly provides the ability to untap a creature, albeit with added flexibility like granting shroud or the ability to fly. Yet, Aura of Dominion stands out with its lower cost and specific focus on the untap mechanic.

Another contender in this space is Freed from the Real. This Aura also offers the untap ability at a comparable mana cost. However, Freed from the Real allows for a wider array of mana colors to be used for its activation cost, potentially offering greater versatility depending on the deck’s color scheme.

When assessing the utility of Aura of Dominion, it’s important to consider the synergy it creates with creatures that have beneficial tap abilities or ones that generate combos. Its specialization in untapping makes it a key component for players looking to maximize action from their creatures each turn. While other cards offer similar effects, Aura of Dominion’s particular combination of cost and untap focus allows for strategic deck enhancements, particularly in combo-oriented builds.

Cards similar to Aura of Dominion by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aura of Dominion MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Aura of Dominion and other MTG cards: