Controlled Instincts MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2009-02-06 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Conflux |
| Set code | CON |
| Number | 23 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ralph Horsley |
Text of card
Enchant red or green creature Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
Togk Manytooth struggled helplessly as the kathari circled above him. For a warrior, immobilization is a fate worse than death.
Cards like Controlled Instincts
Controlled Instincts joins the ranks of enchantment-based control spells in Magic: The Gathering, anchoring itself as an intriguing option for manipulating the board. It shares DNA with classic cards such as Pacifism, which neutralizes creatures by preventing them from attacking or blocking. Controlled Instincts furthers the tactical play, targeting only blue creatures but assuring their absolute containment without the option to attack or use activated abilities.
Encase in Ice can be drawn into the conversation due to its similar freeze-effect exclusively on red and green creatures, albeit at a lower mana cost. Yet, it lacks the broad reach Controlled Instincts provides in dealing with any blue creature. Another card to consider is Ice Cage, which presents a similar lockdown effect but with the vulnerability of being destroyed when the enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability—a caveat not shared by Controlled Instincts.
Scrutinizing each card’s capabilities reveals Controlled Instincts’ position as a more secure and lasting solution for neutralizing blue threats on the battlefield, cementing its place in the MTG card hierarchy as a valuable tool for players seeking to command the flow of play.
Cards similar to Controlled Instincts by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Controlled Instincts is a versatile MTG card, allowing for the potential of card advantage in the late game. This advantage is critical, as it allows a player to outmaneuver their opponent with a wider selection of options in hand.
Resource Acceleration: The ability to cast Controlled Instincts at a low mana cost can lead to effective resource acceleration. You’re afforded the opportunity to use your mana efficiently in early turns, paving the way to deploy more significant threats or countermeasures sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: The strength of Controlled Instincts is amplified by its instant speed capability. This enables players to act on their opponent’s turn, maintaining unpredictability and presenting a hurdle for opponents trying to strategize against potential plays. It’s a powerful boon for controlling the pace and flow of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The aspect of discarding a card to activate Controlled Instincts might put players in a tough spot, especially if their hand is running low or contains pivotal strategies essential for upcoming turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Controlled Instincts asks for an exact combination of blue and colorless mana, which can sometimes complicate its integration into multi-colored decks that may not have a stable mana base to fulfill such requirements consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its mana cost, Controlled Instincts competes with numerous other cards that might not only be more cost-efficient but could also offer a broader range of abilities or effects, perhaps giving players more bang for their buck in a tight mana economy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Controlled Instincts offers adaptability as both an effective defensive maneuver and an offensive strategy enabler. Its ability to lock down creatures mid-combat or preemptively can seamlessly align with numerous deck archetypes, streamlining control across various gameplay situations.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with tap/untap mechanics, allowing for sophisticated plays and interaction with cards that benefit from tapping or keeping creatures in a locked state. It’s a combo enabler that can leverage the static states of creatures to your advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment densely populated with creature-based strategies, Controlled Instincts proves invaluable. It can disrupt creature-centric combos and aggro-barrages, cementing its place as a meta-relevant tool that can tilt the battlefield in your favor, especially in blue-oriented control decks.
How to beat Controlled Instincts
Controlled Instincts stands out in the MTG arena as a potent aura with the unique ability to neutralize the most threatening creatures on the battlefield. By tapping the enchanted creature, it prevents it from untapping during its controller’s untap step, effectively taking the creature out of the equation without removing it from the board. This can be a significant roadblock when facing creatures with formidable abilities or high combat stats.
As with any card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key to developing a strategy to overcome it. To beat Controlled Instincts, focus on cards that can remove enchantments or utilize abilities that allow creatures to untap outside the untap step. Make use of instant speed spells or effects to dodge the paralysis that Controlled Instincts aims to impose. Artifact-based strategies or creature abilities that don’t rely on attacking can also circumvent the limitations imposed by Controlled Instincts. Diversify your deck with versatile responses, so that a single enchantment doesn’t disrupt your path to victory.
Ultimately, staying one step ahead of cards like Controlled Instincts involves adaptability and the incorporation of enchantment hate or alternate avenues to victory within your deck. By doing so, you ensure that your strategy remains unhampered, no matter what control mechanisms your opponent might employ.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Controlled Instincts MTG card by a specific set like Conflux, 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 Controlled Instincts 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 Controlled Instincts has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Controlled Instincts card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-02-01 | Controlled Instincts can enchant only a creature that’s red or green. If at any time the enchanted creature is neither red nor green, Controlled Instincts is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. |
| 2009-02-01 | Controlled Instincts may target and may enchant an untapped creature. |