Dream Leash MTG Card


Enhances control by seizing important tapped permanents from the opponent, shifting the game’s momentum. Requires careful planning, as targeting conditions and mana commitments can influence its effectiveness. Dream Leash’s power lies in its tactical application, not just its ability to acquire permanents.
Dream Leash - Ravnica: City of Guilds
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2005-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica: City of Guilds
Set codeRAV
Number45
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Text of card

Enchant permanent You may play Dream Leash only on a tapped permanent. You control enchanted permanent.

The tendrils of sorcery find easy purchase on the soft underbelly of dreams.


Cards like Dream Leash

In the vast array of control spells within Magic: The Gathering, Dream Leash catches the eye with its unique ability to take control of target permanent that’s tapped. Its mechanics are somewhat echoed in the abilities of other enchantments such as Control Magic, which allows for the commandeering of any creature without the tapped stipulation. By contrast, Control Magic offers a more straightforward approach but lacks the specificity of Dream Leash.

Then there’s Confiscate, a versatile spell that can seize any permanent, tapped or untapped, which positions it as a more flexible option compared to Dream Leash. However, it comes with a higher mana cost. Another noteworthy card is Volition Reins, which operates similarly to Confiscate but adds the benefit of untapping the permanent, offering an immediate utility that Dream Leash does not.

Considering these alternatives, Dream Leash stands out for its targeted approach and lower cost in situations where tapped permanents are the focus. It’s a nuanced choice for savvy players who can maximize its potential in the right deck and game state.

Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Volition Reins - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Volition Reins - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dream Leash by color, type and mana cost

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Biting Tether - MTG Card versions
Psychic Allergy - MTG Card versions
Duplicity - MTG Card versions
Dream Halls - MTG Card versions
Bureaucracy - MTG Card versions
Treachery - MTG Card versions
Heightened Awareness - MTG Card versions
Sunken Hope - MTG Card versions
Ice Cave - MTG Card versions
Persuasion - MTG Card versions
Telekinetic Bonds - MTG Card versions
Reflections of Littjara - MTG Card versions
Mind Control - MTG Card versions
Future Sight - MTG Card versions
Dispersing Orb - MTG Card versions
Wrath of Marit Lage - MTG Card versions
Shared Fate - MTG Card versions
Cowardice - MTG Card versions
Battle of Wits - MTG Card versions
Followed Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Biting Tether - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dream Leash. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet ControlIzzet Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dream Leash offers a strategic advantage by potentially transferring control of a significant permanent from your opponent to you. This shift not only increases your resources but also potentially disrupts your opponent’s board state, tipping the balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: By acquiring a key permanent without the need for additional mana expenditure to cast it, Dream Leash effectively accelerates your in-game resources. It allows you to utilize the permanent’s abilities immediately and maintain momentum without the usual investment cost.

Instant Speed: Though Dream Leash is cast at sorcery speed, its interaction with cards that untap during your turn can create scenarios akin to instant speed effects. This pseudo-instant speed utility can prove valuable by enabling surprise shifts in control during critical phases of the game, catching opponents off-guard when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dream Leash demands a strategic approach to resource management, as tapping out the mana and creatures of potential targets is required before initiating the control shift.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked behind a double blue mana cost, Dream Leash places constraints on deck building, necessitating a strong commitment to blue mana resources for reliability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana, Dream Leash competes with high-impact cards in the same mana range. This can sometimes result in it being overlooked for options that provide more immediate board presence or card advantage.


Reasons to Include Dream Leash in Your Collection

Versatility: Dream Leash offers flexible control options, capable of claiming any tapped permanent, making it a valuable addition to blue-based control or midrange decks looking to gain the upper hand by seizing key assets from opponents.

Combo Potential: It’s a spell with the capacity to turn the tide by repurposing opponents’ resources. This can work well with strategies that manipulate tap states, or in conjunction with cards that benefit from controlling additional permanents.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where tapping out is common, Dream Leash can exploit this to your advantage, potentially providing a critical shift in board presence and resource control during a match.


How to beat

Dream Leash is a unique control card in MTG that allows players to seize control of target permanent with the condition that it’s tapped. Facing this card, the key is to maintain vigilance abilities active and keep your most valuable assets untapped. This strategy prevents the card from being a viable option for your opponent. It may also be beneficial to prioritize the casting of instants on your own turn if Dream Leash is a concern, ensuring your resources remain out of reach during your opponent’s turn. Additionally, countering it with spells like Negate or Dispel when it’s cast can neutralize the threat entirely.

Moreover, holding onto cards or abilities that grant you hexproof, like Shalai, Voice of Plenty, can provide an umbrella of protection from Dream Leash. You can also safeguard your permanents with protective enchantments or deploy cards that allow you to untap your permanents swiftly before Dream Leash can lock onto them. Finally, using removal spells on the player’s own permanents as a last resort is an option, albeit a painful one. This denies the resource to the opponent while maintaining control of the game’s tempo. Employ these tactics, and you’ll diminish the impact Dream Leash might have on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dream Leash MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Dream Leash and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dream Leash has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dream Leash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2005-10-01 If an effect puts Dream Leash onto the battlefield or moves it to another permanent, the permanent it becomes attached to need not be tapped. If you cast Copy Enchantment and copy Dream Leash as it enters the battlefield, the permanent it becomes attached to need not be tapped.
2005-10-01 The restriction that the permanent must be tapped is checked only if you cast Dream Leash as a spell. Once Dream Leash is on the battlefield, it doesn’t matter if the enchanted permanent becomes untapped.