Steal Enchantment MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Number	90
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Hannibal King

Key Takeaways

Steal Enchantment cards provide substantial card advantage by shifting control of vital enchantments.
They offer quick gameplay shifts without additional mana costs, saving turns and resources.
Instant speed casting allows strategic and surprise interventions during crucial game moments.

Text of card

Gain control of enchanted enchantment

"Why should I flatter another with imitation when I can satisfy myself through possession?" —Ertai, wizard adept

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Access to your opponent’s enchantments has the potential to generate significant card advantage, as a successfully cast Steal Enchantment card effectively moves control of key enchantments, tipping the balance of utility in your favor and diminishing your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Steal Enchantment helps you bypass the usual mana costs associated with powerful enchantments. Gaining control of enchantments already in play can save precious turns and accelerate your game plan without the need to invest additional mana to cast these spells from your hand.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Steal Enchantment at instant speed adds an element of surprise and flexibility. You can alter the course of the game during your opponent’s turn, interfere with their strategies, or simply wait for the ideal moment when they are most vulnerable to disruption.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A significant hurdle when playing Steal Enchantment cards is the demand that you forfeit another card from your hand. This trade-off can leave you at a disadvantage, particularly in games where maintaining a healthy hand size is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting a spell that filches enchantments often requires a precise combination of mana, which could present a challenge. Tailoring your mana base to accommodate such spells may constrain the overall flexibility of your deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The magic needed to commandeer an opponent’s enchantment typically comes with a steep price. Given that these spells are often costly in terms of mana, you might find that reserving your resources for alternative actions that accelerate your win condition could be a more judicious choice.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Steal Enchantment is a unique addition as it can adapt to various situations in game play. Its ability to take control of enchantments can disrupt opponents’ strategies while enhancing your own game plan in significant ways.

Combo Potential: This card opens the door for potent combinations with your enchantments. By commandeering an opponent’s enchantment, you can craft unexpected synergies and turn the tide of the match in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given that enchantments often play a key role in current popular decks, Steal Enchantment offers a direct counter to many meta-dominant strategies. Its relevance and utility can give players an edge in competitive play.

How to beat

When facing a Steal Enchantment card in Magic: The Gathering, the game dynamic can shift significantly. This card enables a player to take control of any enchantment on the battlefield, which can lead to a massive swing in power. To counteract this, consider cards that protect your enchantments, such as Sterling Grove or Privileged Position. These provide a layer of security against control-changing cards.

It’s also wise to have removal spells ready in your deck, such as Disenchant or Krosan Grip, giving you the ability to destroy problematic enchantments—including your own if they’ve been taken by an opponent. Moreover, instant-speed removal allows you to react at a moment’s notice, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and maintaining the equilibrium of the game.

Ultimately, beating a Steal Enchantment card requires a mix of foresight, defensive measures, and precise removal. Ensure your deck is equipped with these tools, and you’ll stand a better chance at maintaining control of your enchantments and dictating the pace of the match.

Cards like Steal Enchantment

Exploring the realm of enchantment control in Magic: The Gathering, Steal Enchantment is a notable card that offers players a chance to commandeer opponents’ enchantments. It draws a parallel to Confiscate, another spell that not only targets enchantments but also any permanent, granting broader control. However, Steal Enchantment stands unique in its single-purpose design and lower casting cost.

Replenish deserves mention too, as it doesn’t take enchantments from opponents but instead retrieves all enchantments from your own graveyard to the battlefield. This is more of a recovery tactic than theft but affects the game in a similarly dramatic fashion by reasserting your enchantment presence. Control Magic is yet another classic, allowing players to gain control of opposing creatures, a different angle of commandeering the battlefield’s assets, albeit limited to creatures versus the broader range of enchantments.

The strategic advantage of stealing enchantments can be crucial, and Steal Enchantment provides a focused approach. Within its specific niche, the card excels at disrupting opponents’ strategies and tipping the balance in your favor, shining as a specialized tool in enchantment manipulation.

Cards similar to Steal Enchantment by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steal Enchantment MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Steal Enchantment and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steal Enchantment has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Steal Enchantment card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	When a player takes control of an enchantment, they do not get to change anything about the enchantment (such as what creature it is on, what choices it has or anything) at that time. They just become its controller.