Vedalken Shackles MTG Card

Vedalken Shackles disrupts opponents with card advantage and instant speed creature control capabilities. Demand for blue mana and hand management requirements can be potential downsides of using the artifact. Its adaptability makes it a strong meta-relevant card for control and midrange blue-centric decks.

Fifth Dawn (5DN)
2004-06-04 - Number 164

Vedalken Shackles - Modern Masters (MMA)

Modern Masters (MMA)
2013-06-07 - Number 218

Vedalken Shackles - Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)

Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)
2016-09-30 - Number 53

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

You may choose not to untap Vedalken Shackles during your untap step. , : Gain control of target creature with power less than or equal to the number of Islands you control as long as Vedalken Shackles remains tapped.

Cards like Vedalken Shackles

Vedalken Shackles stands out as a pivotal control piece in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its peers in cards like Control Magic, which also allows players to take command of an opponent’s creature. However, Vedalken Shackles offers a unique flexibility by not being a one-time use enchantment and instead being an artifact that can be activated at any time provided you have enough Islands.

Another card that echoes this control mechanic is Mind Control. Costing five mana, Mind Control is a permanent enchantment that also doesn’t provide the repeatability of Vedalken Shackles. On the other hand, Chamber of Manipulation offers a recurring effect, though it requires both the discard of a card and a control of an Island to activate, which can be a costly repeatable expense compared to the static nature of Vedalken Shackles.

When weighing these options, Vedalken Shackles proves to be a formidable tool for players looking for consistent and adaptable control over their opponent’s creatures, effectively disrupting strategies and tipping the scales in their favor with minimal resource expenditure after its initial investment.

Chamber of Manipulation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vedalken Shackles by color, type and mana cost

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Vedalken Shackles. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Mono-Blue Upheaval	Modern	Mono-Blue Upheaval	Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-22
Grixis Control	Modern	Grixis Control	Modern League 2024-04-21
Dimir Control	Modern	Dimir Control	$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Saturday - 9:00 am
Mono-Blue Control	Modern	Mono-Blue Control	Modern Preliminary 2024-03-04
Esper Control	Modern	Esper Control	22Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 2
Jeskai Control	Legacy	Jeskai Control	Legacy League 2024-01-29
Izzet Control	Modern	Izzet Control	$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Saturday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vedalken Shackles offers a form of virtual card advantage by effectively removing an opponent’s creature from their control. Through its repeatable use, you can consistently disrupt your opponent’s game plan, potentially netting you more in-game benefits over multiple turns without losing cards from hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Vedalken Shackles itself does not provide direct resource acceleration, controlling additional creatures can lead to a stronger board presence and offer indirect advantages. This can translate into accelerated victory conditions as you turn your opponent’s assets into your own.

Instant Speed: The artifact’s ability to take control of creatures can be activated at instant speed, providing significant tactical flexibility. You can wait for the opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to disrupt their strategies or avoid sorcery-speed removal. This instant-speed interaction allows for superior control over the flow of the game, similar to having a removal spell always at the ready.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vedalken Shackles, while not requiring a discard itself, can necessitate keeping extra cards in hand to maximize its utility, as its control ability depends on the number of islands you control. This can potentially strain your hand management strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s activation cost strictly requires blue mana, which may restrict its integration exclusively within blue-centric or compatible multicolor decks, limiting its flexibility across the broader spectrum of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of three mana to cast and two more to activate, Vedalken Shackles has a comparatively high mana cost for taking control of creatures. This can be especially cumbersome in faster-paced games where tempo and mana efficiency are critical.

Reasons to Include Vedalken Shackles in Your Collection

Versatility: Vedalken Shackles offers a flexible control option for decks that can generate a significant amount of blue mana. Its ability to take control of creatures regardless of their size makes it a valuable inclusion in blue-based control or midrange decks.

Combo Potential: In combination with untap mechanics, Vedalken Shackles can become a repeating source of creature control. It also synergizes with cards that benefit from controlling opponents’ creatures, allowing for dynamic and potentially game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Vedalken Shackles can be a key card. Its presence on the battlefield acts as a deterrent to opponents, potentially swaying the game’s momentum in your favor. Plus, its ability to adapt to various opponents makes it a consistent performer in diverse metagames.

How to beat

Vedalken Shackles is a powerful control artifact in Magic: The Gathering that lets players take the reins of an opponent’s creature as long as Vedalken Shackles remains tapped and the player has Islands to satisfy its activation conditions. Beating this card requires strategy and an understanding of your deck’s strengths in the face of such control.

One tactic is to prioritize removal spells that can specifically target artifacts. By including options like Nature’s Claim, Abrade, or Shatter in your deck, you can dismantle Vedalken Shackles, thereby freeing your creature and mitigating future threats. Another approach is to capitalize on creatures that are resistant to such control mechanisms, such as those with hexproof or shroud abilities, preventing them from being viable targets for the Shackles.

Additionally, playing with instant-speed interactions can give you an edge, allowing you to respond to the Shackles’ activation and maintain tempo. By leveraging the elements of surprise and flexibility, Vedalken Shackles can be overcome, allowing you to resume command of the battlefield and direct the flow of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vedalken Shackles MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Modern Masters, 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 Vedalken Shackles and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vedalken Shackles Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2016-09-30. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2004-06-04	Fifth Dawn	5DN	164	2003	Normal	Black	Mark Zug
2	2013-06-07	Modern Masters	MMA	218	2003	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov
3	2016-09-30	Kaladesh Inventions	MPS	53	2015	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vedalken Shackles has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-12-01	If Vedalken Shackles becomes untapped before its ability resolves, you won’t gain control of the creature.
2004-12-01	If Vedalken Shackles leaves the battlefield, it’s no longer tapped, so the control-changing effect ends.
2004-12-01	The creature’s power and the number of Islands you control matter only when the ability is activated and when it resolves. After that, only the fact that Vedalken Shackles remains tapped matters. If the creature stops being a creature, you’ll keep control of it.