Ghostly Possession MTG Card

Ghostly Possession can convert threats into manageable opponents without card loss. Allows conservation of resources, preserving hand size and pace of play. Despite its limitations, it’s a tactical choice in creature-heavy matchups.

Innistrad (ISD)
2011-09-30 - Number 18

Ghostly Possession - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
2016-08-26 - Number 85

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has flying. Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by enchanted creature.

Cards like Ghostly Possession

Ghostly Possession is a unique enchantment in the MTG realm that renders a creature unable to deal damage. This enchantment shares similarities with cards like Pacifism, which also neutralizes enemy creatures by preventing them from attacking or blocking. Unlike Pacifism, Ghostly Possession allows the creature to block, while adding flying to the creature’s attributes but at the cost of preventing all damage it would deal.

Focusing on the flying aspect, we can compare Ghostly Possession to cards such as One With the Wind, which simply grants flying without the damage negation. In addition, there is Guard Duty, which takes a different approach by restraining the creature completely, not granting any abilities, but it does so with a lower mana cost. Lastly, Arrest is another parallel, providing broader restriction by also preventing activated abilities, albeit at a higher casting cost.

While assessing these alternatives, it’s clear that Ghostly Possession finds its niche by offering a dual functionality: creature control and evasion. It presents a strategic choice for players who seek to hinder their opponent’s offense while potentially gaining an aerial blocker themselves.

Cards similar to Ghostly Possession by color, type and mana cost

The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions

Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghostly Possession turns a potentially dangerous creature into a less threatening one without losing a card in the process. The aura stays on the battlefield, offering ongoing control over the enchanted creature and maintaining your hand size.

Resource Acceleration: By neutralizing a threat without expending multiple cards, players can effectively save resources for other spells and strategies—more of a resource conservation than acceleration, preserving the pace of their game plan.

Instant Speed: While Ghostly Possession itself isn’t cast at instant speed, its presence deters opponents from investing more into their enchanted creature. This can indirectly benefit instant-speed interactions by clearing the way for your own spells during crucial moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ghostly Possession doesn’t require a traditional discard, it does necessitate that you sacrifice board presence by enchanting your own creature. This effectively removes your creature’s ability to deal combat damage, which could be a strategic disadvantage in many game scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghostly Possession has a mana cost that includes white. This specificity can restrict the card’s utility, limiting it to only decks that run white mana. If you’re not playing a white or a white-inclusive multicolor deck, Ghostly Possession becomes an impractical choice.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, it can be argued that Ghostly Possession is somewhat costly for the effect it provides. There are alternative enchantments or removal spells at or below this mana range that might offer more direct or versatile solutions to creature threats on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Ghostly Possession in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghostly Possession is a unique aura that can turn the tide by neutralizing threatening creatures. It’s a handy card in a variety of decks, particularly in those aiming to hinder opponents’ strategies.

Combo Potential: This card opens up creative interactions with your own creatures that benefit from being targeted, or with enchantment synergies. It also has potential in decks that capitalize on life gain mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment with a focus on combat-centric decks, Ghostly Possession can serve as an effective tool to maintain control and tempo, making it a relevant addition in certain metagames.

How to beat

Ghostly Possession presents an intriguing challenge in MTG as it effectively neuters a creature’s combat abilities by preventing all combat damage it would deal. However, much like the ethereal entities it represents, the card has vulnerabilities that can be exploited. To overcome it, players may resort to using removal spells or effects that deal with enchantments directly, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, to send the Ghostly Possession to the graveyard and free their creature from its spectral shackles.

Another strategy involves leveraging abilities that do not rely on combat. For instance, creatures with tap abilities or those with effects that trigger at the beginning of upkeep can still be highly effective under Ghostly Possession. Similarly, creatures that have impact by being on the battlefield rather than through attacking like those with static abilities can circumvent the limitations imposed by the enchantment.

Lastly, taking a strategic view, Ghostly Possession can be turned to your advantage. By enchanting an opponent’s creature, you neutralize a potential threat. It’s crucial to assess the board state and determine the optimal time to play Ghostly Possession, be it defensively on your own creature or offensively on an adversary’s menace.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghostly Possession MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Ghostly Possession and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ghostly Possession Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Howard Lyon.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-09-30	Innistrad	ISD		18	2003	Normal	Black	Howard Lyon
2	2016-08-26	Conspiracy: Take the Crown	CN2		85	2015	Normal	Black	Howard Lyon

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghostly Possession has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal