Expropriate MTG Card


Expropriate offers decisive card advantage by granting extra turns or control of opponents’ permanents. With a high mana cost, it’s a late-game play that can require specific deck adjustments. It’s a game-changer in multiplayer, significantly influencing the board and potentially swinging the outcome.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost9
RarityMythic
TypeSorcery
Abilities Council's dilemma

Text of card

Council's dilemma — Starting with you, each player votes for time or money. For each time vote, take an extra turn after this one. For each money vote, choose a permanent owned by the voter and gain control of it. Exile Expropriate.

Few things are more valuable than time or money—and Leovold has plenty of both.


Cards like Expropriate

The allure of control and momentum in MTG is perfectly captured by Expropriate, a formidable spell that shifts game dynamics. Expropriate shines among its peers for its potent blend of time manipulation and permanent control, reminiscent of the infamous card Take Extra Turns. However, it pushes the envelope by allowing a vote that can further alter the course of events. Take Extra Turns, while also granting an additional turn, does not grant the potential to gain control over opponents’ permanents.

Time Warp is another well-known card offering an extra turn, but it lacks the interactive aspect and the potential to swipe a valuable permanent from an opponent. On the opposite spectrum, Blatant Thievery enables a player to assume control of any one permanent from each opponent; it stops short of providing the precious bonus turn that can often lead to victory.

Assessing the strategic depth and massive in-game impact, Expropriate sets itself apart in MTG’s lineage of high stakes spells. Its unique voting mechanism coupled with game-accelerating benefits truly places it in a distinguished spot within the pantheon of game-ending sorceries.

Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Blatant Thievery - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Blatant Thievery - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Expropriate, you don’t just draw cards, but you get to vote for Time or Money, and regardless of the choice, you’ll either take extra turns or gain control of permanent assets—skyrocketing your onboard resources.

Resource Acceleration: Expropriate can rapidly change the pace of the game in your favor. By potentially taking multiple turns in a row, it accelerates your resources and the development of your board state far beyond normal progression rates.

Instant Speed: Though not at instant speed, the sheer potential of this sorcery to swing the game is immense. Casting it at the right moment can effectively harness the surprise factor usually associated with instant speed spells, offering a game-winning shift.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Expropriate doesn’t require you to discard a card to play, its effect can lead your opponents to discard valuable cards in an attempt to mitigate the impact of your extra turns or permanent control.

Specific Mana Cost: Expropriate’s demanding mana cost includes double blue, which can be restrictive and often necessitates a deck heavily focused on blue mana sources or a strong mana base with ample fixing to ensure its playability on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At nine mana, Expropriate stands out as a card with a substantial casting cost. This even split between generic and specific mana means it hits the battlefield later in the game, which can be too slow against fast-paced decks that might secure the win before you gather the necessary resources.


Reasons to Include Expropriate in Your Collection

Versatility: Expropriate proves versatile in both multiplayer and single-opponent formats due to its unique choice mechanic that can tip the game scales. It can adapt to various board states, securing advantage whether you’re behind or leading.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a linchpin in game-winning combos. By taking extra turns or commandeering opponents’ key permanents, Expropriate can exponentially increase the effectiveness of your existing strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where control and late-game plays reign, Expropriate shines. Its potential to massively swing games is relevant in nearly any meta that allows players the time to cast such a high-impact spell.


How to Beat

Expropriate is one of those magic cards that can determine the outcome of a game in an instant. Facing Expropriate can be daunting due to its potential to turn the tides by giving its caster extra turns and control over opponents’ permanents. However, there are methods to counteract this powerful card effectively. To start, hold up counter spells when you expect high-cost game-changers like Expropriate. This ensures that the spell never resolves, derailing your opponent’s strategy.

One could also leverage instant-speed removal or sacrifice effects in response to the Expropriate cast. This can minimize the available choices for your opponent and lessen the potential impact. Additionally, cards that specifically prevent extra turns from being taken are invaluable here, as they directly counter Expropriate’s most explosive effect. Lastly, staying ahead on board and keeping up pressure can force your opponent into a defensive position, making it harder for them to safely cast their nine-mana trump card.

In summary, an effective combination of counterspells, fast removal, and strategic gameplay that maintains control and pressure can serve as a strong defense against the mighty Expropriate and ensure that the balance of the game remains in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into the world of MTG often leads to encounters with powerful cards like Expropriate that can dominate the endgame. As we’ve explored the advantages and challenges of wielding this card, you now understand the game-changing potential it holds. If you want to strengthen your arsenal and finesse your gameplay with this formidable spell, or discover other cards that fit your strategic niche, we’re here to guide you. Our extensive insights empower you to craft a deck that’s not only competitive but awe-inspiring. Elevate your MTG journey with us and secure your next match as a resounding victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Expropriate MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Treasure Chest, 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 Expropriate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Expropriate Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Zack Stella.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 302015NormalBlackZack Stella
22016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 657852015NormalBlackZack Stella
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3702015NormalBlackZack Stella
42020-09-26The ListPLST CN2-302015NormalBlackZack Stella

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Expropriate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerBanned
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-08-23 Because the votes are made in turn order, each player will know the votes of players who voted beforehand.
2016-08-23 Expropriate doesn’t target any of the permanents you gain control of. You could choose a permanent with hexproof, for example. (Hey, money talks.)
2016-08-23 If a creature with an enters-the-battlefield council’s dilemma ability leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, players can still vote for any option that would put +1/+1 counters on that creature, even though—or perhaps especially because—those votes won’t generate an effect.
2016-08-23 No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
2016-08-23 Players can’t do anything between voting and finishing the resolution of the spell or ability that included the vote.
2016-08-23 The effects of each council’s dilemma ability happen in the stated order. First the vote occurs, then the first effect, and finally the second effect.
2016-08-23 Unlike the will of the council cards from the original Conspiracy set, where a majority of votes determined what happened, each vote made for a council’s dilemma card adds to the ultimate effect.
2016-08-23 You can vote money to gain control of a permanent you own, no matter who controls it.
2016-08-23 You must vote for one of the available options. You can’t abstain.