Treacherous Link MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1999-02-15
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Legacy
Set code	ULG
Number	71
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

Creates card advantage by disrupting opponent strategies while increasing your own hand.
Boosts gameplay with resource acceleration, enabling quicker, more impactful plays.
Instant speed allows for flexible and surprise tactics during the game.

Text of card

Redirect to its controller all damage dealt to enchanted creature.

"You cannot possibly know the toll your alliances will exact from you." —Barrin, to Urza

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Treacherous Link stands out with its ability to manipulate each player’s hand, often resulting in card advantage. This aspect is crucial for outmaneuvering opponents by disrupting their strategy while bolstering your resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card opens up strategic gameplay by accelerating your resources. It gives you the upper hand by potentially accessing more mana, allowing for faster and more powerful plays than your opponents can keep up with.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Treacherous Link offers flexibility in play, enabling you to make decisions reactive to the game state. It fits seamlessly into your strategy without having to commit resources prematurely, keeping opponents on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Treacherous Link card demands players to discard another card to utilize its effect. This can deplete your hand quickly, leaving you at a possible disadvantage during later stages of the game when options become critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Treacherous Link requires a particular mana arrangement, which might not be easily accessible for all deck types. This constraint could make the card less versatile and potentially cumbersome for players running multi-colored decks that may not always have the needed mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to mana efficiency, Treacherous Link stands on the pricier side. There are alternative cards with lower mana requirements that offer similar, or better, outcomes. Players may find that they could allocate their mana resources more effectively with different cards that provide additional benefits or are easier to cast.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Treacherous Link is a unique card that can be included in decks that seek to manipulate both their own creatures and those of their opponents. Given its ability to transfer potential harm to an opponent’s creature, it offers creative ways to navigate around enemy defenses.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card has the potential to turn the tables on your opponent. It can combo well with cards that force a player to deal damage to their own creatures, thereby affecting the opposing creatures linked through Treacherous Link.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Treacherous Link provides a strategic edge. It can deter opponents from attacking, or turn their attacks to your advantage, making it a card worthy of consideration for a metagame filled with creature interactions.

How to beat

Treacherous Link is a unique enchantment that can pose a surprising challenge in the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. Players often find themselves entwined in its deceptive web, as it turns the act of targeting creatures into a double-edged sword. The key to circumventing Treacherous Link’s influence lies in understanding its mechanics and strategically adapting your gameplay.

To effectively neutralize Treacherous Link, consider utilizing spells or abilities that don’t specifically target creatures, such as those that deal damage to each creature or each opponent. Board wipes and global effects are particularly effective since they circumvent the need to target individual creatures. Cards like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can clear the field without triggering Treacherous Link. Another tactic is to use hexproof or shroud granting spells to shield your vital creatures from unwanted attention. Keeping a versatile suite of spells in your deck ensures you’re prepared for enchantments that manipulate targeting.

Altogether, facing Treacherous Link requires a careful assessment of one’s own deck capabilities. Flexibility in your strategy, the inclusion of non-targeted removal, and understanding the scope of your creature protection spells will help you maintain control and secure victory even when Treacherous Link is in play.

Cards like Treacherous Link

Treacherous Link presents an intriguing dynamic in the Magic: The Gathering world of creature enchantments. It bears resemblance to other cards like Vow of Malice, which alters a creature’s capabilities, though in contrast, Vow of Malice focuses on buffing a creature and restraining it from attacking you. Treacherous Link twists the gameplay by redirecting damage from yourself to the enchanted creature’s controller, introducing a subtle psychological play to the board.

Another card worth mentioning is Pariah, which shares the concept of damage redirection. The key difference being that Pariah can turn any creature into a protective shield for its controller, whereas Treacherous Link forces an opponent to consider the risks of attacking with their own creature. Guilty Conscience is also in a similar category, as it sets up a situation where a creature’s damage can become its controller’s downfall, yet it lacks the broader impact of affecting all sources of damage like Treacherous Link does.

Assessing their niche effectiveness, Treacherous Link stands out among MTG enchantments. It not only acts as a deterrent but also serves as a strategic tool for turning the tide of battle, making it a noteworthy option for players seeking a blend of control and cunning tactics.

Cards similar to Treacherous Link by color, type and mana cost

Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions

Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Treacherous Link MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Treacherous Link and other MTG cards: