Threaten MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 241
2005-07-29 - Number 223★
2005-07-29 - Number 223
2005-08-22 - Number I27
2005-08-22 - Number I26
2007-07-13 - Number 242★
2007-07-13 - Number 242
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Untap target creature and gain control of it until end of turn. That creature gains haste until end of turn.
Goblins' motivational techniques are crude, but effective.
Cards like Threaten
Threaten stands out in the realm of temporary creature control spells in MTG. It shares a similar effect with Act of Treason, which also grants temporary control of a target creature. What sets Threaten apart is the subtleties of its flavor and originality, as it’s part of the iconic Onslaught set. Act of Treason, while functionally identical, has been printed across multiple sets, indicating a broader presence in the game.
Another competitor is Hijack, which extends the control effect to not just creatures but also artifacts. This wider range of targets can be pivotal in certain gameplay scenarios. Similarly, Kari Zev’s Expertise provides a unique edge by allowing a cast of a card with converted mana cost 2 or less for free post control, giving it a potential value swing in a player’s favor. Both these cards offer a twist to the pure creature control that Threaten provides.
Conclusively, while there are several cards with akin effects, Threaten has its niche owing to its historical context and straightforward utility, making it a staple choice for players seeking to swing games with a single, well-timed shift of power.
Cards similar to Threaten by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When playing Threaten, you temporarily gain control of an opponent’s creature, which potentially disrupts your opponent’s strategy while bolstering your own assault. In certain conditions, this means hitting with extra force or utilizing the kidnapped creature’s abilities in your favor, essentially drawing strength from your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: In terms of resource acceleration, Threaten doesn’t directly produce mana or ramp, but turning the tide with a crucial opposing creature can vastly accelerate your board state advantage. Especially in red deck builds, where seizing the moment is key, this ‘borrowed’ power can expedite your path to victory.
Instant Speed: Although Threaten is a sorcery, its impact during your turn can be as pivotal as any instant. By commandeering a vital creature before the combat phase, you can make swift tactical decisions based on the current board state. This preemptive strike tactic shapes the flow of the turn and disrupts your opponent’s plans, making Threaten a force to be reckoned with when timing is everything.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Including Threaten in your deck means accepting that you’ll need to discard another card to utilize its effect. This trade-off often comes at a crucial moment when every card in hand can significantly shape the game’s outcome, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Threaten requires not just any mana but specifically red mana, potentially limiting its integration into a diverse range of deck archetypes. Decks that don’t focus on red mana may find this card difficult to cast, affecting its overall flexibility and utility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its relatively high mana cost for a one-time use effect, Threaten can feel less economical when stacked against other options. Control or tempo strategies in particular may find cards with a lower mana cost or more sustained control effects to be more cost-effective and strategically sound.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The card Threaten offers the unique flexibility to temporarily seize your opponents’ creatures, turning the tide of battle in your favor. This fits well into aggressive and control decks alike.
Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations, pairing perfectly with sacrifice effects to not only take an opponent’s creature for a turn but to also eliminate it altogether, disrupting their board state.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment with powerful creature-based strategies, Threaten gains importance as it allows you to leverage your opponents’ strengths, giving you an often decisive advantage during play.
How to beat
Threaten is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a distinct tactical advantage by temporarily taking control of an opponent’s creature. This red spell can tilt the battlefield in your favor and is particularly powerful when it snatches a creature with potent abilities or one that’s poised for a successful attack. To effectively counter this, it’s important to keep up mana for instant-speed removal or creature abilities that can be activated in response. Cards like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can disrupt the Threaten strategy by removing the targeted creature before the Threaten effect resolves.
Another strategy to mitigate Threaten’s impact is to have a less appealing board state for your opponent to target, making sure that your most valuable creatures either have hexproof or are not left untapped without protection during the opponent’s turn. Alternatively, running counterspells like Negate or having creatures that can sacrifice themselves at will, like Doomed Dissenter, can ensure that Threaten does not provide a significant advantage to your opponent.
Ultimately, being aware of the game state and anticipating your opponent’s Threaten can enable you to maintain an edge, ensuring that their attempt to usurp your creatures turns into a wasted card and mana, leaving you in control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Threaten MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Ninth Edition, 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 Threaten and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Threaten Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 241 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Brill | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 223★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 223 | 2003 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | I27 | 2003 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 5 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | I26 | 2003 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 6 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 242★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 7 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 242 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Threaten has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |