Portent of Betrayal MTG Card
2013-09-27 - Number 133
2020-01-24 - Number 149
2020-11-20 - Number 194
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Scry |
Text of card
Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
Cards like Portent of Betrayal
Portent of Betrayal holds a special place in the pantheon of creature control spells in MTG. This spell echoes the essence of the classic Act of Treason, sharing the trait of seizing an opponent’s creature for a turn. What sets Portent of Betrayal apart is its scry ability, allowing for better control over upcoming draws. Act of Treason, although identical in cost and effect, lacks this subtle advantage.
Another kindred card is Hijack, which not only targets creatures but artifacts as well. It offers more flexibility at the same mana cost, enabling a wider array of strategic plays. However, it doesn’t have the foresight granted by scrying which can be pivotal in tight situations. Compare that to Wrangle, which is cheaper in terms of mana, but limited to grabbing smaller creatures.
Each of these spells carries strategic significance in MTG, offering players diverse approaches to utilizing opponents’ assets temporarily. Portent of Betrayal’s blend of temporary control and deck manipulation provides a notable edge in the heat of battle, highlighting its individual strength within its subset of red sorcery cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Portent of Betrayal provides a powerful strategic edge by temporarily stealing an opponent’s creature. This move can swing the momentum of the game, opening a window for you to attack or defend with an additional creature and potentially creating advantageous board states for future turns.
Resource Acceleration: By granting control of an opponent’s creature, Portent of Betrayal effectively adds to your available resources without expending additional cards from your hand. This can allow for bigger plays in the same turn, hastening your victory.
Instant Speed: Although Portent of Betrayal is a sorcery, its impact on the game can be as immediate as playing an instant by altering the board state significantly in your favor on your turn. The ability to disrupt opponent strategies before they can declare attackers or blockers can be as valuable as a well-timed instant in many scenarios.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Portent of Betrayal doesn’t necessitate a discard, it does offer a trade-off in the form of gaining temporary control of a creature at the cost of card depletion from your hand. In a situation where card advantage is key, sacrificing a portion of your hand can be a significant drawback.
Specific Mana Cost: This sorcery requires a precise mana combination to cast, specifically three generic and one red mana. This restriction makes it less flexible, binding it to decks that can reliably produce red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana to gain control of a creature only until the end of turn and give it haste, Portent of Betrayal sits at a higher spectrum for this type of effect. Considering that other spells or abilities may offer similar control at lower costs, this can make it a less economical choice in fast-paced games or mana-tight situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Portent of Betrayal is an adaptable card that can swing a game in your favor by temporarily stealing an opponent’s creature, which is useful in many red-based or aggressive strategies.
Combo Potential: This sorcery not only allows you to gain control of a key piece on the board but also enables synergies with sacrifice outlets, turning an opponent’s strength into a one-time resource for you.
Meta-Relevance: It positions well against decks that rely on pivotal creatures. During times when creature-based strategies are dominant in the meta, having a card like Portent of Betrayal can disrupt opponent’s plans and pave the way for a surprising victory.
How to Beat Portent of Betrayal
Portent of Betrayal shines in Magic: The Gathering as a temporary theft spell that can disrupt opponents and swing games. It allows players to seize control of an enemy creature for a turn, and with the scry 1 feature, it even offers a small window into future draws. Yet, despite its potential, it can be countered.
To effectively neutralize Portent of Betrayal, instant-speed removal spells are key. These can be used in response to the Portent of Betrayal, eliminating the targeted creature before control is transferred. Counterspells offer protection as well, by stopping the spell before it takes effect. Moreover, cards with sacrifice outlets enable players to turn the tables, allowing them to benefit from the creature before it’s taken over. This strategy can mitigate Portent of Betrayal’s impact, leaving the opponent with little advantage.
Strategic deck building can also prepare players to face this tricky spell. Including cards with hexproof or those that cannot be targeted by spells or abilities from opponents can provide a robust defense. As a result, Portent of Betrayal’s effectiveness diminishes, often rendering it a dead card in the adversary’s hand. By understanding and preparing for this temporary control tactic, players can maintain the upper hand in their matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Portent of Betrayal MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Theros Beyond Death, 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 Portent of Betrayal 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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Printings
The Portent of Betrayal Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-09-27 | Theros | THS | 133 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 149 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Portent of Betrayal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Portent of Betrayal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-15 | Scry appears on some spells and abilities with one or more targets. If all of the spell or ability's targets are illegal when it tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't scry. |
| 2013-09-15 | When you scry, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards on the bottom of your library, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them on the bottom. |
| 2013-09-15 | You choose how to order cards returned to your library after scrying no matter where you put them. |
| 2013-09-15 | You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, that means you'll scry last. For others, that means you'll scry and then perform other actions. |
| 2020-11-10 | Gaining control of a creature doesn't cause you to gain control of any Auras or Equipment attached to it. |
| 2020-11-10 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Portent of Betrayal tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. You won't scry 1. |
| 2020-11-10 | Portent of Betrayal can target any creature, even one that's untapped or one you already control. |