Twisted Embrace MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | 125 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Betty Jiang |
Text of card
Enchant artifact or creature you control When Twisted Embrace enters the battlefield, destroy target creature or planeswalker an opponent controls. As long as enchanted permanent is a creature, it gets +1/+1.
Evil kami are drawn to mortals who share their grim fascinations.
Cards like Twisted Embrace
Twisted Embrace is an intriguing aura in Magic: The Gathering, sharing space with cards like Dead Weight and Kaya’s Ghostform. What makes Twisted Embrace particularly notable is its ability to deliver a double punch – not only does it offer a power and toughness reduction to diminish an opponent’s creature but it also grants the enchanted creature deathtouch, creating a lingering threat.
Contrasting with Dead Weight, which only reduces power and toughness without any additional effects, Twisted Embrace’s deathtouch bonus can be a game-changer by turning even the smallest creature into a deadly blocker. Meanwhile, Kaya’s Ghostform provides a different kind of value by protecting your creature or planeswalker from being sent to the graveyard altogether. Unlike Twisted Embrace, it doesn’t affect the battlefield immediately but ensures resilience against removal spells.
Examining their applications, it’s clear that Twisted Embrace has a unique position among its peers. Whether you’re looking to weaken an enemy creature or create a strategic defense, this card can be an essential element in the right deck, balancing immediate impact with a defensive edge.
Cards similar to Twisted Embrace by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Twisted Embrace offers players a dual benefit, allowing them to eliminate an opponent’s threat while potentially drawing a card if the targeted creature is destroyed. This switch in card equality can tip the scales in one’s favor, ensuring they’re not falling behind in resources.
Resource Acceleration: When Twisted Embrace resolves, it grants an additional benefit beyond affecting the board state. If the enchanted creature perishes, you may replace it with a new card, effectively accelerating your resources by maintaining a full hand.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed spells is undeniable, and Twisted Embrace excels by offering the flexibility to react immediately to threats. This speed allows players to adapt to the evolving battlefield with precision, potentially catching an opponent off-guard and disrupting their strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players looking to deploy Twisted Embrace, it’s essential to note that a nonland card must be discarded to cast it. This can present a tough decision and potential card disadvantage, especially if you’re already behind in the game or have a hand with crucial pieces you can’t afford to lose.
Specific Mana Cost: Twisted Embrace demands two specific mana types – one Swamp (black mana) and one Island (blue mana). This dual mana requirement can be restrictive, only suiting it for decks that can consistently generate both types of mana, possibly excluding it from various mono-colored or other deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Twisted Embrace requires four mana, which can be a significant investment early in the game. While the effects it brings to the battlefield may be powerful, its high mana cost is an essential factor to consider, as it may slow down your gameplay or force you to choose between playing the card or other actions that could be more beneficial in progressing your board state.
Reasons to Include Twisted Embrace in Your Collection
Versatility: Twisted Embrace stands out for its flexibility as an aura spell. Its ability to buff your own creatures or serve as removal by forcing an opponent to sacrifice a creature ensures it has a place in a wide array of deck types. Enchantment synergy decks, in particular, will find this card to be a valuable asset.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination plays, particularly in decks that capitalize on death triggers. Each time it forces a sacrifice, it can activate abilities or set up graveyard strategies that pivot around creatures dying, effectively turning it into a repeatable source of strategic advantage.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-based decks, having a reliable way to remove key pieces from your opponent’s board is crucial. Twisted Embrace is particularly effective in this role, as it can disrupt your opponents’ plans while enhancing your own board state, cementing its relevance in various metagames.
How to beat
The Twisted Embrace card creates dynamic challenges on the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. Facing this card means dealing with its potential to disrupt creature plays significantly. A methodical approach is to opt for instant speed removal, allowing you to eliminate the enchanted creature before the opponent can gain any benefit. Look for cards like Naturalize that target enchantments specifically, tearing the malicious embrace away and restoring balance to your play.
Another strategy is to prioritize creatures with hexproof or shroud, making them invalid targets for such menacing auras as Twisted Embrace. Creature abilities can often undermine enchantment strategies, and incorporating creatures that counteract such moves into your deck can be pivotal. This demonstrates how a well-curated deck with foresight for common threats can save you from falling prey to cards like Twisted Embrace which aim to twist the game in your opponent’s favor.
Finally, playing around Twisted Embrace requires a healthy balance of proactive and reactive gameplay. By maintaining cards with versatile answers in hand, you ensure your capacity to handle surprises and establish control, proving that foresight and adaptability can defeat even the most devious of strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Twisted Embrace MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Twisted Embrace 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Twisted Embrace has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |