Take Possession MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 44
2013-06-07 - Number 66
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant,Split second |
Key Takeaways
- Take Possession provides a powerful shift in card advantage by commandeering any permanent.
- Its Split Second ability ensures the control change is uncontestable at the time of casting.
- The steep mana cost can strain resources, but the strategic payoff may be worth it.
Text of card
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't play spells or activated abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Enchant permanent You control enchanted permanent.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Take Possession stands out with its ability to gain control of any permanent, not just creatures. This action effectively removes an opponent’s resource while adding to your own arsenal, efficiently tipping the scales of card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Take Possession itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, seizing a mana-producing permanent can unexpectedly boost your own mana pool. This can lead to more powerful plays much earlier than standard progression would normally allow.
Instant Speed: While Take Possession can’t be cast at instant speed, its Split Second ability ensures that once you cast it, opponents cannot respond with instant-speed spells or abilities, providing a guaranteed shift in control of the targeted permanent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This card does not necessitate a discard, but securing the seven mana for casting can deplete your hand, leaving fewer options for subsequent turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Take Possession requires a significant investment of blue mana, which may not always be readily available, especially in multicolored decks that need a diversified mana base to function efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s quite steep, several players find that they could play other spells or creatures with similar or better impact with less of a strain on their resources.
Reasons to Include Take Possession in Your Collection
Versatility: Take Possession offers a wide range of strategic applications in control decks. As a spell that permanently takes control of any permanent, it can be utilized in different game scenarios, offering a solution for various threats on the board.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with proliferate or untap mechanics, amplifying the impact of stolen permanents. By using it alongside such combos, you can further enhance your grip on the game state.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where high-value permanents dictate the pace of the game, Take Possession can be a game-changer. Its ability to disrupt opponent strategies by turning their assets against them keeps it relevant in diverse metagames.
How to beat
Take Possession stands out in Magic: The Gathering with its Split Second ability, meaning that as long as this spell is on the stack, players can’t cast spells or activate abilities that aren’t mana abilities. This card effectively allows you to control any permanent at the steep price of seven mana. Despite its power, there are strategies to overcome this control-changing spell.
To handle Take Possession, focus on preemptive measures or wait it out. Utilizing instant-speed removal in response to potentially dangerous targets can limit its impact. Counterspells are also highly effective, as they must be played before Take Possession resolves. After Take Possession has resolved, you can rely on board wipes to reset the field or direct removal spells that can still target your formerly-owned permanent to regain control.
Adapting to the mana cost of Take Possession is also a viable approach. With such a high mana investment, opponents might fall behind on other fronts, giving you a window to outpace and outmaneuver them. Swift and decisive plays can keep the pressure high enough to prevent an effective use of Take Possession, securing your position in the match.
Cards like Take Possession
In Magic: The Gathering, Take Possession stands out for its capacity to permanently control any permanent, a decisive move in any game. This card mirrors abilities seen in other control spells like Control Magic, which also takes over creatures, but lacks the persistence that comes with Take Possession’s Split Second trait. While Take Possession has a steep casting cost, its Split Second ensures that when you take control, it’s nearly guaranteed.
Another akin spell is Volition Reins, which similarly takes over any permanent and gives you the added bonus of untapping it. Although it doesn’t have the Split Second ability, it compensates by providing immediate utility from the commandeered permanent. Conversely, Confiscate brings a similar effect to the table, albeit without the immediate untapping feature or the Split Second defense. The cost is lower, but the speed and permanency of Take Possession are what separate it from the pack.
When evaluating control spells that alter the sway of permanents, Take Possession introduces a definitive and swift answer that’s hard to counteract, placing it in a prestigious position among its equivalents in MTG for its unyielding grip on the game’s dynamics.
Cards similar to Take Possession by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Take Possession MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Take Possession and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Take Possession Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by Michael Phillippi.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 44 | 2003 | normal | black | Michael Phillippi | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 66 | 2003 | normal | black | Michael Phillippi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Take Possession 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 Take Possession card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | After a spell with split second resolves (or otherwise leaves the stack), players may again cast spells and activate abilities before the next object on the stack resolves. |
| 2021-03-19 | Casting a spell with split second won’t affect spells and abilities that are already on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the resolution of a triggered ability involves casting a spell, that spell can’t be cast if a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players may turn face-down creatures face up while a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players still get priority while a card with split second is on the stack; their options are just limited to mana abilities and certain special actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | Split second doesn’t stop triggered abilities from triggering, such as that of Chalice of the Void. If one does, its controller puts it on the stack and chooses targets for it, if any. Those abilities will resolve as normal. |
