Lay Claim MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 61
2019-11-07 - Number 417
2020-08-13 - Number 68
2022-12-02 - Number 312
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-61
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Cycling,Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant permanent You control enchanted permanent. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
Initiates need worry only about the trials. Everything else is in the hands of the gods.
Cards like Lay Claim
Lay Claim is a unique entrant in the realm of control magic within Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with classic control spells such as Confiscate. Lay Claim, with its embalm feature, goes beyond Confiscate’s static ability by offering the flexibility to be cast from the graveyard, highlighting its dual utility both in and out of the battlefield. Confiscate, however, doesn’t provide such recursion, limiting its use to a one-time affair.
Moreover, Lay Claim shares characteristics with Treachery. Both allow players to assume control of any permanent, but Treachery comes with the upside of untapping five lands, essentially making it a free spell under the right circumstances. Yet, Treachery lacks the versatility of being a cycling card, which Lay Claim proudly comprises, allowing players to cycle it for new cards if it’s not immediately needed.
Taking into account these comparable cards, Lay Claim offers a blend of strategic control and cycling capability. While other spells in Magic: The Gathering offer similar control effects, Lay Claim’s flexibility stands out, particularly in game states where options and adaptability are crucial to victory.
Cards similar to Lay Claim by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Lay Claim. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | WUBR | Pioneer | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-02-01 | |
| Four-color Combo | Explorer | 7V |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lay Claim provides a significant boost by enabling you to take control of any target permanent. This can tip the scales in your favor by not only adding to your resources but also by disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: With its ability to harness the power of the Embalm mechanic, Lay Claim can be utilized from the graveyard, effectively giving you access to two uses from a single card. This versatility serves as a form of resource acceleration by maximizing the potential of the cards in your deck.
Instant Speed: The capability to cast Lay Claim during an opponent’s turn adds to its tactical value. By waiting for the right moment, you can decisively alter the course of the game by seizing a crucial permanent at instant speed, thus keeping your adversaries on their toes and your options open.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Steeping into the realm of the Lay Claim card, we find no obligation to discard pieces from our hand, weaving this spell into one less taxing for your card reserves.
Specific Mana Cost: The complexity of Lay Claim’s mana cost lies in its specific need for blue mana. Decks lacking sufficient blue mana sources might wrestle with casting the spell at the critical juncture.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing seven mana into a single spell can stagger your battle strategy, as there are alternatives that usurp control of a target for less mana expenditure, thereby offering a more nimble approach to managing the board.
Reasons to Include Lay Claim in Your Collection
Versatility: Lay Claim offers a broad application as it allows you to gain control of any permanent, not just creatures. Its flexibility enables it to be a powerful tool in various deck archetypes, ensuring your strategies aren’t easily disrupted.
Combo Potential: When coupled with cards that facilitate untapping or sacrificing, Lay Claim can become part of a powerful combo, effectively neutralizing your opponent’s resources while building your board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by key permanents or high-value targets, Lay Claim’s ability to shift the balance of power by taking control of crucial cards can be a game-changer, making it a worthy inclusion in your deck’s arsenal.
How to beat
Lay Claim is a control player’s dream in Magic: The Gathering, offering the power to seize control of any permanent on the battlefield. It can alter the course of the game by snatching the most threatening creatures, enchantments, or even lands from your opponent. But even the most formidable spells have weaknesses.
The key to overcoming Lay Claim lies in its hefty seven-mana cost and its vulnerability to counterspells and instant-speed removal. Utilizing low-cost counters such as Negate or Dispel can preemptively halt it before it takes effect. When it comes to permanents already under its control, enchantment removal like Naturalize or Disenchant can break the spell. It’s also worth noting that patience can pay off. By limiting the number of high-value targets presented before Lay Claim is castable, you reduce its impact on your game plan. Additionally, playing around Lay Claim by holding up mana for reactive spells is often a worthwhile strategy.
Ultimately, while Lay Claim can be a game-changer, its high mana cost and susceptibility to various forms of disruption allow prepared players to mitigate its power or avoid its effects altogether, maintaining control of the game’s flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lay Claim MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Lay Claim and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 MTG Products
Printings
The Lay Claim Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 417 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | AKH-61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | ||
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 312 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lay Claim has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lay Claim card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Gaining control of a creature doesn’t cause you to gain control of any Auras or Equipment attached to it. They’ll remain attached, but an Aura’s effect that affects “you” still affects its controller rather than you, the controller of an Equipment can move it during their next main phase, and so on. |