Domestication MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 61
2013-07-19 - Number 53
2022-07-08 - Number 47
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature You control enchanted creature. At the beginning of your end step, if enchanted creature's power is 4 or greater, sacrifice Domestication.
Cards like Domestication
Domestication is an intriguing enchantment spell, showcasing its unique place within Magic: The Gathering’s assortment of creature control cards. It bears a resemblance to Control Magic, a classic that allows players to take charge of an opponent’s creature outright. Domestication, by comparison, restrains its control to creatures with power three or less, subtly compelling players to strategize about which creatures to target.
Another card in the mix is Mind Control, which like Domestication, enables the takeover of an opponent’s creature. Although Mind Control lacks the power restriction, it comes with a higher mana cost. There’s also Threads of Disloyalty, a more selective enchantment that can seize only creatures with a converted mana cost of two or less, offering control at a more efficient cost but with greater limitations.
Each of these cards has its respective merits and restrictions, ensuring that Domestication, with its specific balance of cost and control, is a competitive option within Magic: The Gathering’s range of enchantments designed for commandeering creatures across numerous gameplay scenarios.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Domestication card grants you control of a target creature with power three or less, which has the potential to shift the balance of creatures on the board in your favor. This not only weakens your opponent’s battlefield presence but also adds to your own, representing a significant swing in card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Domestication itself doesn’t directly generate additional resources, it can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By taking control of an opponent’s creature that has abilities to ramp or generate mana, you gain those capabilities, effectively using your opponent’s resources to fuel your own strategy.
Instant Speed: Although Domestication is an enchantment cast at sorcery speed, it can be played tactically during your main phase to immediately impact the board. This allows for strategic planning, as you can wait for the optimal moment or target to maximize the benefit gained from disrupting your adversary’s plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Similar to the challenges faced with other cards that ask for a trade-off, Domestication requires giving up a creature if you do not control enough Islands, making it a potential resource drain.
Specific Mana Cost: With its demand for blue mana, Domestication’s cost can’t be paid with just any mana type. This makes it compatible primarily with decks heavily focused on blue mana sources, possibly restricting its inclusion in diverse mana decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a four mana cost on its own already places Domestication in a higher bracket. When matched against other enchantments or spells that control creatures, one might find alternatives that are either more cost-effective or potent for competitive play.
Reasons to Include Domestication in Your Collection
Versatility: Domestication offers a unique approach to creature control, allowing it to shine in decks that can take advantage of temporarily seizing key creatures from your opponent. Its ability to fit into various blue-based strategies makes it a useful tool for those looking to disrupt opponents’ plans.
Combo Potential: This enchantment can set the stage for various combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on gaining control of opponents’ creatures. The ability to usurp a creature, even for a short period, can be a game-changer, especially if that creature has powerful effects or abilities that synergize with your own board state.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Domestication can act as both a form of control and a way to turn your opponent’s strengths against them. Its presence in your deck means opponents must always play cautiously, aware their own creatures could become their downfall.
How to Beat Domestication
Confronting a Domestication card in Magic: The Gathering can be quite the challenge. This enchantment has the power to take control of a creature with power three or less, disrupting your battlefield presence and strategy. To effectively beat Domestication, you’ll need to employ a few smart tactics. One approach is to boost the power of your creatures beyond the threshold of three, making them ineligible as targets for Domestication. Instant spells or activated abilities that temporarily increase power are perfect for this strategy.
Another method involves leveraging removal spells that directly target enchantments. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize are prime examples of efficient ways to dispatch Domestication, restoring your creature to your control. Additionally, you can focus on creatures with power four or greater to begin with, circumventing your opponent’s Domestication from the start. Creatures with hexproof or shroud also inherently protect themselves from being controlled by such spells, making them invaluable in matches against enchantment-heavy decks.
Remember, understanding your opponent’s possible moves and building a deck that is resilient to control strategies is crucial in Magic: The Gathering. Keep these countermeasures in mind and Domestication won’t dominate your creatures or your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Domestication MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Magic 2014, 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 Domestication 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 Domestication Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Domestication has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Domestication card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | Domestication can target, and can enchant, a creature with power 4 or greater. The enchanted creature’s power is checked only when the triggered ability triggers and resolves. |
| 2010-06-15 | Domestication’s triggered ability has an “intervening ‘if’ clause.” That means (1) the ability triggers only if the enchanted creature’s power is 4 or greater as your end step begins, and (2) the ability does nothing if the enchanted creature’s power is 3 or less by the time it resolves. |
| 2010-06-15 | If an effect changes the enchanted creature’s power until end of turn, it will still have the modified power during your end step. |