Mark of the Oni MTG Card

Mark of the Oni offers board control and disrupts opponents by commandeering their creatures. Demons are required for its use, making it niche but powerful in the right deck. It’s a strategic addition in creature-heavy metas, elevating its competitive value.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Number	73
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Text of card

You control enchanted creature. At end of turn, if you control no Demons, sacrifice Mark of the Oni.

"As more oni walked Kamigawa, more darkness infested its inhabitants' souls." —*The History of Kamigawa*

Cards like Mark of the Oni

Mark of the Oni stands out within the realm of control auras in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to Control Magic, a classic card that also enables players to take command of their opponent’s creatures. The distinctive twist with Mark of the Oni, however, is its Demon tribal affiliation which, when paired with a Demon on the battlefield, renders it a persistent threat by making it immune to removal as long as you control a Demon.

When we look towards other alike effects, we encounter Mind Control, which similarly changes the allegiance of creature cards. Though it lacks the added permanent control aspect that Mark of the Oni offers with its tribal synergy. Confiscate enters the fray as a broader option, allowing the takeover of any permanent, not just creatures. While broader in scope, it doesn’t feature the cost reduction for having a Demon that Mark of the Oni presents.

Assessing these and other auras in MTG, Mark of the Oni garners a spot due to its synergy with Demon creatures and cost-effective nature. For players running Demon-focused decks, it represents a more strategic selection compared to its peers in creature control strategies.

Cards similar to Mark of the Oni by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mark of the Oni delivers substantial card advantage by seizing control of an opponent’s creature. This shift not only enhances your board state but also potentially disrupts your opponent’s strategies and plays.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly accelerate resources like mana, Mark of the Oni can indirectly contribute by removing the need to cast another creature from your hand, thus preserving your mana and cards for other uses.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Mark of the Oni at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action adds a layer of surprise and tactical depth, keeping your opponent guessing and allowing you to optimize the timing of taking control of their creature.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Using Mark of the Oni requires the player to have a Demon on the battlefield, which can be limiting since Demons are often high-cost creatures themselves and not commonly found in all deck types.

Specific Mana Cost: This card needs one black and two generic mana, making it exclusive to decks that run black mana sources, potentially restricting its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its powerful effect of taking control of a target creature, the three-mana cost may be considered steep, especially when compared to other control spells in MTG that might have lower casting requirements or offer additional benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mark of the Oni delivers flexibility to your blue and black decks, offering control over the best creatures on the board. Its ability to turn the tides by commandeering your opponent’s threats makes it a strategic fit for various game situations.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks with a Demon sub-theme or those utilizing high creature turnover. It can perpetuate synergies where you continuously gain control of new targets, amplifying your board presence turn after turn.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-heavy decks prevail, Mark of the Oni becomes a standout card. By effectively removing an opponent’s key creature and utilizing it for your advantage, it can shift the momentum of the game in your favor, making it a critical inclusion for staying competitive.

How to beat Mark of the Oni

Mark of the Oni is a intimidating presence in Magic: The Gathering, presenting a unique challenge with its ability to gain control of a creature as long as you control a Demon. This mechanic can be a major game-changer, potentially tilting the balance of power on the battlefield. To neutralize this threat, one must consider the intricacies of timing and card choice.

Combatting Mark of the Oni effectively requires a strategy that disrupts your opponent’s control over their Demons or targets the enchantment itself. Employing removal spells that can exile or destroy the Demon could free the enchanted creature from your opponent’s grip. Artifact or enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize also provide a straightforward solution to reclaim control of your creature.

Focusing on preventative measures, countermagic like Negate or playing cards that grant hexproof to your valuable creatures can stop Mark of the Oni from binding to them in the first place. In the end, understanding and anticipating this card’s potential impact will aid in formulating a winning strategy against decks utilizing this cunning enchantment.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mark of the Oni MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Mark of the Oni and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mark of the Oni has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal