Mind Harness MTG Card

Mind Harness grants card advantage by commandeering opponent’s creatures to alter battlefield dynamics. Its low casting cost helps in managing resources while maintaining gameplay flexibility. Despite its benefits, upkeep costs and mana specificity present challenges to players.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Cumulative upkeep,Enchant
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	78
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Malloy

Text of card

Play only on a red or green creature. Cumulative upkeep o1 Gain control of enchanted creature.

Centuries ago, Mangara won the loyalty of the Quirion not by ruling their minds but by supporting their independence.

Cards like Mind Harness

Mind Harness occupies a unique niche within the control magic space of Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with classic control spells like Control Magic or Treachery, which allow players to take command of an opponent’s creature. Yet, Mind Harness differentiates itself with its cumulative upkeep cost, letting you maintain control over the creature for as long as you can pay the price. Control Magic, by contrast, offers a more permanent solution without the recurring cost, but at a higher initial mana investment.

Another peer to Mind Harness is Ray of Command, which instantly puts a creature under your control for a single turn at instant speed. Ray of Command provides an immediate tactical advantage and disrupts opponents’ plans, whereas Mind Harness requires a more strategic approach, potentially offering extended control over a creature. Then there’s Sower of Temptation, which gives players control of a creature for as long as you control Sower. This presents a creature-based approach to control compared to the enchantment-based Mind Harness.

In the realm of MTG card control choices, Mind Harness holds its ground with its potentially temporary but cost-manageable control option, establishing its status as a noteworthy card for players considering their control strategy arsenal.

Cards similar to Mind Harness by color, type and mana cost

Cloak of Invisibility - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mind Harness allows a nuanced form of card advantage, as it temporarily commandeers an opponent’s creature, effectively adding to your board presence while diminishing theirs. This shift can offer a significant swing in who controls the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This card comes at a low initial casting cost, which can be a huge boon for resource management. It efficiently utilizes mana and enables you to deploy other threats or answers alongside it, keeping the pressure on your adversary.

Instant Speed: While Mind Harness is not an instant itself, it doesn’t negate the ability to play the game at instant speed. Its cumulative upkeep cost can be paid at the beginning of your upkeep, leaving your mana open for responses during your opponents’ turns, thus maintaining its flexibility within the flow of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mind Harness necessitates the discarding of a card for its cumulative upkeep cost, which may strain your hand if you’re aiming to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment requires a blue mana to cast, potentially restricting its integration in decks that are not aligned with blue mana strategies or that have a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of one blue and one other, plus the increasing cost due to its upkeep, Mind Harness can be somewhat mana-intensive over time compared to other control options available in the game.

Reasons to Include Mind Harness in Your Collection

Versatility: Mind Harness offers a unique flexibility in gameplay. It’s a control card that can temporarily snatch creatures from opponents, which can be effectively used in various strategies, not just in control decks but also in tempo or midrange decks that can capitalize on temporary theft.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that exploit the use of opponent’s creatures, whether that’s sacrificing them for your own gain or utilizing their abilities for a turn. With the right setup, it can significantly shift the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having Mind Harness in your arsenal could give you an edge. It allows you to turn an opponent’s threat into an opportunity for yourself, aligning well against decks that rely heavily on individual high-value creatures.

How to Beat Mind Harness

Mind Harness is a unique enchantment in MTG. Capturing the abilities of an opponent’s creature can be a dramatic swing in power on the battlefield. However, despite its advantages, overcoming this card involves smart play. To navigate its control-changing effect, consider cards that remove enchantments or utilize abilities that give you control of your own creatures. Anything that can negate the cumulative upkeep also diminishes the threat.

When facing Mind Harness, prioritize maintaining a diverse range of actions to counteract enchantment-based strategies. Direct enchantment removal like Naturalize or Disenchant can be handy for liberating your creatures. Additionally, instant-speed interaction is key, as it allows you to react in response to the Mind Harness being cast, potentially saving your creature from being snatched. Also, cards that grant hexproof or shroud can prevent Mind Harness from targeting your creatures in the first place.

In summation, confronting Mind Harness requires a prepared sideboard and a versatile main deck. By leveraging enchantment destruction, instant-speed spells, and creature protection, you can effectively neutralize the power of Mind Harness and retain control of the board.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mind Harness MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Mind Harness and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mind Harness has restrictions

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