Besmirch MTG Card


Besmirch - Conspiracy: Take the Crown
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Goad
Released2016-08-26
Set symbol
Set nameConspiracy: Take the Crown
Set codeCN2
Number49
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMathias Kollros

Key Takeaways

  1. Besmirch grants control by forcing opponents’ creatures to attack each other, conserving your resources.
  2. While it offers strategic depth, Besmirch’s specific mana cost may limit deck flexibility.
  3. Its instant speed and disruptive potential make Besmirch a tactical asset in many MTG strategies.

Text of card

Until end of turn, gain control of target creature and it gains haste. Untap and goad that creature. (Until your next turn, that creature attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.)

The whitest robes stain best.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Besmirch can turn the tables in your favor by manipulating opponents to attack each other, which effectively can reduce the number of threats aimed at you without expending your own resources.

Resource Acceleration: By undermining the board state coordination of your opponents, Besmirch indirectly accelerates your game plan by delaying them from strengthening their own positions or executing their strategies.

Instant Speed: As Besmirch can be cast at instant speed, it gives you the flexibility to disrupt enemy tactics during the combat phase, potentially causing unexpected shifts in the battlefield dynamics at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As part of casting Besmirch, players must meet an additional cost which can put them at a disadvantage when hand size is important.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing two red and one other mana, Besmirch demands a specific mana alignment. This can constrain deck-building options and impact the fluidity of play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost totaling three mana, Besmirch can be considered pricey for its single-use effect, particularly when more versatile or lower-cost alternatives are available.


Reasons to Include Besmirch in Your Collection

Versatility: Besmirch brings an element of strategic depth, as it’s not just a straightforward aggressive play. It fits well in decks that aim to manipulate opponents’ actions and board state, adding another layer to your gameplay.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that benefit from controlling your opponents’ creatures, such as those that capitalize on sacrificing creatures you don’t own, Besmirch can become a powerful piece in a nuanced tactical engine.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-heavy decks, Besmirch can turn an opponent’s key creature against them, potentially upsetting their game plan and tipping the balance in your favor.


How to beat Besmirch

Besmirch is a thought-provoking card that can hijack an opponent’s creature until the end of turn while allowing it to conduct an attack on its former owner. Contained within Magic: The Gathering’s array of control spells, Besmirch’s functional similarity with other threat-taking spells, like Act of Treason lends to strategic plays that can turn the tides of a match. However, unlike Act of Treason, Besmirch aligns with the political scheme in multiplayer formats by goading the creature and compelling it to attack a player of your choice.

To effectively counteract Besmirch, instant-speed removal spells can be a safeguard, allowing you to eliminate the targeted creature before the control shift takes effect. This preemptive strike not only negates the immediate threat but also depletes your opponent’s resources. Other strategies include running creatures with hexproof or shroud, making them immune to such takeover tactics. Additionally, keeping up counterspell reserves can prove invaluable when facing such commandeering cards. Being one step ahead of your opponent’s ploys and preserving the autonomy of your playing field remains paramount in commandeering the victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhance your MTG strategy with Besmirch, a dynamic card that could offer an exciting twist in gameplay. Its ability to disrupt the battlefield and manipulate combat interactions can be a game-changer in the right deck. If you enjoy a playstyle that involves outwitting opponents and commanding control in clever ways, adding Besmirch to your arsenal may align with your tactical preferences. For more insights on incorporating this intriguing card into your gameplay and maximizing its potential in various formats, especially multiplayer arenas, join us at BurnMana. Together, we can help fine-tune your deck and navigate the ever-evolving meta.


Cards like Besmirch

Besmirch is a card that elicits a strategic advantage in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other enticing control spells. It shares some common ground with cards like Act of Treason, which also offers the ability to commandeer your opponent’s creatures for a turn. Yet, Besmirch brings a unique twist by potentially goading the stolen creature into attacking its original owner or another opponent if you’re playing a multiplayer game.

Comparably, Wrangle stands out with its lower mana cost for essentially the same effect; however, it restricts the takeover to smaller creatures with power four or less. In contrast, Besmirch’s flexible targeting can influence the battlefield irrespective of creature size. Another parallel can be drawn with Ray of Command, also enabling instant speed interaction to surprise your opponents during combat. Although Ray of Command doesn’t include the goad mechanic, the instant speed can disrupt opponent strategies more effectively.

When analyzing these cards, Besmirch proves to be quite potent, providing both temporary control and an aggressive edge by manipulating opponents’ actions. This utility can shift the tide of a game, making Besmirch a valuable asset in MTG player decks oriented towards control and psychological tactics.

Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Wrangle - MTG Card versions
Ray of Command - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - Magic 2010 (M10)
Wrangle - Aether Revolt (AER)
Ray of Command - Ice Age (ICE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Besmirch MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Besmirch and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Besmirch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-08-23 Attacking with a goaded creature doesn’t cause it to stop being goaded. If there is an additional combat phase that turn, or if another player gains control of it before it stops being goaded, it must attack again if able.
2016-08-23 Being goaded isn’t an ability the creature has. Once it’s been goaded, it must attack as detailed above even if it loses all abilities.
2016-08-23 Besmirch can target any creature, including one you already control or one that’s untapped.
2016-08-23 Gaining control of a creature doesn’t cause you to gain control of any Auras or Equipment attached to it.
2016-08-23 If a creature you control has been goaded by multiple opponents, it must attack one of your opponents that hasn’t goaded it, as that fulfills the maximum number of goad requirements. If a creature you control has been goaded by each of your opponents, you choose which opponent it attacks.
2016-08-23 If the creature doesn’t meet any of the above exceptions and can attack, it must attack a player other than the controller of the spell or ability that goaded it if able. It the creature can’t attack any of those players but could otherwise attack, it must attack an opposing planeswalker (controlled by any opponent) or the player that goaded it.
2016-08-23 If, during a player’s declare attackers step, a creature that player controls that’s been goaded is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or hasn’t been under that player’s control continuously since the turn began (and doesn’t have haste), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having a creature attack a player, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
2016-08-23 The creature you gain control of must attack during your turn if able.

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