Crown of Suspicion MTG Card


Crown of Suspicion - Onslaught
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameOnslaught
Set codeONS
Number134
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byWayne England

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage is key; weakens foes and potentially strengthens your hand when their creature dies.
  2. Can accelerate resource availability, indirectly leading to faster deployment of powerful spells and creatures.
  3. Instant speed application allows for surprise maneuvers, giving you a tactical edge in battle.

Text of card

Enchanted creature gets +2/-1. Sacrifice Crown of Suspicion: Enchanted creature and other creatures that share a creature type with it get +2/-1 until end of turn.

"Darkness, hide my fear."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The beauty of Crown of Suspicion is its potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while simultaneously propelling your own. Enabling you to target a creature your opponent controls, this card can not only weaken their defenses but also dials up your card flow when it dies. This pivotal moment not only creates a strategic upper hand but could potentially tilt the match in your favor by bolstering your hand with fresh options.

Resource Acceleration: In the vast realm of MTG, every iota of advantage counts, and Crown of Suspicion doesn’t disappoint. While its primary function isn’t to ramp up your mana, indirectly, it could accelerate your resources. Placing this on an opponent’s key creature and having it taken out can indirectly lead to better resource allocation, perhaps allowing you to deploy heavier hitters or crucial spells sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: Crown of Suspicion’s prowess isn’t limited to its effects on the board—it’s also the element of surprise. The ability to cast it at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the unfolding game. Waiting for the opportune moment, perhaps in response to an opponent’s play or at the end of their turn, can maximize its potential impact, leaving them unprepared and you in command.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in spells and abilities that demand a card discard, as Crown of Suspicion does, may strain your hand especially when you are already managing limited resources. This card forces the player to weigh the immediate benefit against potential future plays, which might not always align with strategy optimization.

Specific Mana Cost: Those who summon Crown of Suspicion require both black and generic mana. This specific mana cost can be restrictive and not always synergistic with a player’s deck composition. It’s critical for players to consider their mana base and the probability of being able to cast such spells timely.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing a total of four mana in a single card can be costly from a game tempo perspective. Players should evaluate whether the outcomes provided by Crown of Suspicion justify its mana expenditure, particularly when other options may be less mana-intensive and provide similar or better advantages.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crown of Suspicion offers flexibility in deck construction as it can be slotted into various archetypes that capitalize on the enchantment type or its ability to manage threats by giving creatures -2/-1. This flexibility can be a significant tactical advantage in many gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card opens doors to synergies with abilities that benefit from reducing creature strength or surviving combat due to weakened enemies. Its low mana cost also allows it to smoothly integrate into strategies timed to disrupt your opponent’s key plays.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment often shifts, the Crown of Suspicion can hold its relevance against creature-heavy decks or in preserving your board against sweepers. Its persistent presence on the board can alter the calculus of creature combat and turn the tides in your favor, highlighting its enduring value in diverse meta circumstances.


How to beat

Crown of Suspicion, a recent entrant to the Magic: The Gathering card roster, has definitely turned heads. Residing in the realm of auras, one its distinctive traits is the way it can momentarily transform an opponent’s asset into a liability. Specifically, it bestows an opposing creature with a negative power and toughness modification, which can quickly escalate to a devastating board presence in your favor.

However, while Crown of Suspicion may at first glance seem overwhelming, seasoned players know every card has its Achilles’ heel. Counteracting this card could involve employing removal spells to dispatch the enhanced creature, or, alternatively, utilizing hexproof to shield your creatures from being targeted in the first place. Another effective strategy is to wield enchantment destruction cards or counterspells, thus severing the opponent’s sinister plans right from the onset and keeping your battlefield position secure.

Devising a counterplay demands both strategic deck building and sharp in-game decisions. Crown of Suspicion, despite its potential for disruption, can be outmaneuvered. By preparing for the card’s capabilities, players can ensure it becomes a mere footnote in the match rather than a defining threat.


Cards like Crown of Suspicion

Crown of Suspicion introduces a nuanced dynamic to enchantments that impact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Cards like Dead Weight offer a similar flavor of play by providing a means to weaken opposing creatures. Unlike Dead Weight, which permanently reduces a creature’s power and toughness, Crown of Suspicion comes with a twist, momentarily hindering a creature’s power during critical turns.

In comparison to other creature debuff cards, Cast Down is a noteworthy spell due to its ability to outright destroy a nonlegendary creature. While Crown of Suspicion doesn’t have the terminal effect of Cast Down, its enchantment nature makes it more persistent, potentially affecting longer game strategies. Another parallel is found with Malicious Affliction, which allows for the removal of nonblack creatures. Despite Crown of Suspicion’s inability to remove creatures, its lower mana cost and ability to reduce power rather than solely targeting nonblack creatures can offer strategic advantages in certain play scenarios.

When evaluating Crown of Suspicion alongside these counterpart cards, it’s clear that it offers a unique approach to creature management. It presents players with a subtler yet potent tool for influencing the battlefield, particularly in decks that aim to manage opponents’ creatures over several turns.

Dead Weight - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Malicious Affliction - MTG Card versions
Dead Weight - Innistrad (ISD)
Cast Down - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Malicious Affliction - Commander 2014 (C14)

Cards similar to Crown of Suspicion by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Brain Maggot - MTG Card versions
Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions
Oversold Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Lingering Death - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Fear - Tenth Edition (10E)
Warp Artifact - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Deathgrip - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Blight - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Animate Dead - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Seizures - Ice Age (ICE)
Leshrac's Sigil - Ice Age (ICE)
Lim-Dûl's Hex - Ice Age (ICE)
Dance of the Dead - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Enfeeblement - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Oath of Ghouls - Exodus (EXO)
Despondency - Urza's Saga (USG)
Insubordination - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Chains of Mephistopheles - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Brain Maggot - Historic Anthology 2 (HA2)
Aphemia, the Cacophony - Theros Beyond Death Promos (PTHB)
Oversold Cemetery - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Lingering Death - Scourge (SCG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crown of Suspicion MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Crown of Suspicion and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crown of Suspicion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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