In Thrall to the Pit MTG Card


Enables card draw and mana acceleration through strategic creature sacrifice, enhancing deck performance. Its instant speed allows for adaptable responses and strategic depth during gameplay. Demands careful hand and mana management given its discard requirement and specific mana costs.
In Thrall to the Pit - Dominaria United
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Kicker
Released2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria United
Set codeDMU
Number132
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAndrey Kuzinskiy

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. If this spell was kicked, sacrifice that creature at the beginning of the next end step.


Cards like In Thrall to the Pit

In Thrall to the Pit is a unique entrant into the arena of creature control cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with control magic effects such as Control Magic and Mind Control, where the core concept is commandeering your opponent’s creatures. However, In Thrall to the Pit has a devilish twist requiring the sacrifice of a creature to gain control of another. The traditional Control Magic does not carry this sacrifice condition, offering a more straightforward theft without additional costs.

Examining Enslave, another similar spell, reveals a recurring theme: the ability to take a creature away from an adversary. Enslave adds a layer of utility by inflicting pain upon the original owner with its damage trigger, a feature missing in In Thrall to the Pit. Conversely, Confiscate spans a broader scope by targeting any permanent, not just creatures, though it lacks the sacrificial element of In Thrall to the Pit.

Each of these cards comes with its own strategic nuances, and In Thrall to the Pit certainly holds its ground among them. Its demand for a creature sacrifice can be turned to an advantage in decks built around synergizing with death triggers, offering depth to gameplay strategies and making it an intriguing choice for MTG players looking to manipulate the battlefield to their favor.

Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Mind Control - MTG Card versions
Enslave - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Mind Control - MTG Card versions
Enslave - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions

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Terminal Agony - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: In Thrall to the Pit offers a robust mechanism for drawing additional cards and increasing the chance of getting the right tools at the right moment. This can be a game-changer when seeking ways to outmaneuver the opponent through superior card options.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to sacrifice creatures comes with the benefit of not just thinning your board but providing a surge in mana resources. This could be a pivotal play that allows you to unleash more powerful spells earlier than usual, potentially swinging the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed capability means you can pivot your strategy adaptively, keeping your opponents guessing. Whether it’s disrupting an opponent’s turn or optimizing the timing of your plays, the flexibility of instant speed cannot be overstated.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In Thrall to the Pit comes with the stipulation of having to discard a card, which can deplete your hand. This can be detrimental when your hand size is crucial to maintaining options and control over the course of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The strict mana alignment with black can cause issues in multicolored decks. It is a card best suited to mono-black or decks that have a heavy black mana base, potentially limiting its versatility within a diverse range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a heftier mana requirement, In Thrall to the Pit may find itself competing for a spot amongst other high-impact cards in your deck. In scenarios where mana efficiency is key, one might consider alternative cards that provide similar effects without the same level of investment.


Reasons to Include In Thrall to the Pit in Your Collection

Versatility: In Thrall to the Pit boasts a flexibility that allows it to seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its capacity to act as both removal and a threat makes it a dual-purpose card, crucial for decks looking to maximize each card’s impact.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies that capitalize on sacrifice and graveyard mechanics. Its ability to potentially recur creatures from the graveyard can be combined with other effects to create powerful turns and swing games in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: With a game environment that appreciates multifunctional cards, In Thrall to the Pit can be an important addition against decks that rely heavily on key creatures. Its utility increases in metagames where removing threats and providing your own resilient creatures can dictate the pace and outcome of a match.


How to Defeat In Thrall to the Pit

In Thrall to the Pit is a card that can be a real gamechanger in a black deck, offering the opportunity to take control of your opponent’s creatures. Dealing with this kind of threat requires strategic planning and swift actions. Firstly, consider having cards in your deck that can neutralize or bypass enchantments, such as naturalize effects or spells that exile cards from the battlefield. These ensure that In Thrall to the Pit’s influence is short-lived.

Counterspells also come in handy against such cards, enabling you to prevent it from ever hitting the field. This proactive approach can be critical in maintaining the balance of power. Additionally, instant-speed removal can disrupt the temporary advantage your opponent gains by sacrificing a creature to In Thrall to the Pit, especially if timed before the end of their turn. Remember, keeping card advantage and a range of flexible responses in your deck can make all the difference when facing enchantment-based strategies that seek to undermine your control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase In Thrall to the Pit MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 In Thrall to the Pit and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where In Thrall to the Pit has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 If an effect allows In Thrall to the Pit to be cast during the end step and it is kicked, you will gain control of the target creature until this turn ends. The delayed triggered ability will trigger at the beginning of the next turn’s end step, but you won’t be able to sacrifice that creature because you no longer control it.