Make Yourself Useful MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Scheme |
| Released | 2017-06-16 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas Schemes |
| Set code | OE01 |
| Number | 9★ |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Scheme |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Gaillet |
Text of card
When you set this scheme in motion, destroy target creature an opponent controls. If a creature is destroyed this way, you gain life equal to its toughness.
"To think you've spent years honing your body only to die like this."
Cards like Make Yourself Useful
Make Yourself Useful is an intriguing option within the arsenal of utility spells in Magic: The Gathering. When examining its potential, comparisons with other spells that elevate creature capabilities are inevitable. Like Make Yourself Useful, Karametra’s Blessing provides a boost, though its effects are distinct, targeting only enchantment creatures or enchanted creatures for that additional degree of protection and power.
Glimpse the Sun God is another spell that intersects with the functionality of Make Yourself Useful. It taps opponents’ creatures, which can be a similar disruption tactic, albeit without the benefit of bolstering your own forces. Intruder’s Alarm also offers an interesting parallel; while it doesn’t provide the same type of enhancement to your creatures, it disrupts play patterns by untapping all creatures whenever one comes into play.
In the grand scheme, Make Yourself Useful finds its niche by not only affecting the board state but also by offering a strategic advantage through its versatile nature. Each card has its own merits and situational advantages within Magic: The Gathering, but Make Yourself Useful stands out with its dual capacity to trouble your opponent and simultaneously empower your position on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Make Yourself Useful by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Make Yourself Useful generates a significant edge by letting players replace the card with another from their library while simultaneously putting a permanent into play.
Resource Acceleration: This card effectively thins the deck by putting a land onto the battlefield, thereby increasing the likelihood of drawing non-land cards that can change the course of the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Make Yourself Useful at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to opponents’ actions or end-of-turn decisions, which can be pivotal in maintaining the upper hand in matches.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Make Yourself Useful adds an edge to gameplay but at the expence of card advantage. Having to discard a card as part of its casting cost means that in situations where your hand is already stretched thin, playing this spell could put you at a further disadvantage by diminishing your options.
Specific Mana Cost: The restrictive mana demand of Make Yourself Useful means it’s not a universally compatible card. It demands a specific blend of mana types that can make it less accessible for many multicolored decks, limiting its potential applications and possibly leaving it stranded in your hand in mana-tight situations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a more demanding mana curve, Make Yourself Useful weighs in on the heavier side. There are alternative cards that may not put as much of a strain on your mana resources and still achieve a similar effect, potentially leaving Make Yourself Useful as a less attractive choice for players who value efficiency over versatility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Make Yourself Useful offers a wide range of applications across different deck archetypes. Its ability to potentially turn any creature into a resource makes it a suitable card for numerous strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate with decks built around +1/+1 counters or sacrifice mechanics. By exploiting its combo potential, players can unleash powerful synergies and unexpected plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the MTG meta, having a card like Make Yourself Useful, which can adapt to various scenarios, is invaluable. Its relevance in a meta dominated by creature-based strategies can give you an edge.
How to beat
Make Yourself Useful is a multifaceted spell in the bustling world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique blend of creature support. It stands out among other spells that bolster creatures by not only giving a significant power boost but also by incorporating a lifesaving regenerate ability. To effectively counter this card, understanding the timing of when your opponent might cast it is crucial. Apply pressure on their mana availability since the card requires a notable four mana to play, which can often dictate the pace of their gameplay.
Attack the strategy head-on by removing potential targets before the spell can be cast. This limits the card’s effectiveness, leaving your opponent with fewer resources to amplify. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile should do the trick, handling threats before they gain the added protection of regeneration. By adopting a proactive approach in dealing with creatures that could be recipients of this enchantment, you mitigate the impact and stay one step ahead in the game.
In essence, preemptive control is a solid plan against Make Yourself Useful. By anticipating its arrival and strategically dismantling your opponent’s creature base early on, you ensure the card loses its intended purpose, keeping you in the driver’s seat throughout the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Make Yourself Useful MTG card by a specific set like Archenemy: Nicol Bolas Schemes, 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 Make Yourself Useful 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
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Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Make Yourself Useful card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-06-13 | If the target creature isn’t destroyed, most likely because it has indestructible, you won’t gain any life. The same is true if the target creature leaves the battlefield before this scheme’s triggered ability resolves. |