Press into Service MTG Card

Press into Service - Oath of the Gatewatch

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Support
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Number	114
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steve Prescott

Key Takeaways

Provides immediate board impact by gaining control of a creature and offering +1/+1 counters for strategic advantages.
Though potent, Press into Service demands a specific mana base and weighs heavier on your mana resources.
Relevant in the Meta, this card counters creature-heavy decks, offering flexibility and disruption capabilities.

Text of card

Support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.) Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Press into Service offers an immediate value by allowing you to gain control of any target creature until the end of turn. Not only does it divert an opponent’s asset to your side, but it also can swing a tight game by allowing a decisive attack that wasn’t possible before.

Resource Acceleration: Coupled with the Support 2 mechanism, this card empowers two of your other creatures with additional +1/+1 counters. This can quickly accelerate your board presence and enhance your resources for upcoming turns.

Instant Speed: While Press into Service isn’t an instant, its value at sorcery speed should not be undervalued. The ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during your main phase can create powerful plays and open up tactical opportunities.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For those looking to utilize Press into Service in their deck, it’s essential to consider that it does not carry a discard requirement but the strategy around it might force players to make tough decisions regarding their hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s specific mana cost includes both generic and red mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that have a strong red mana base or can accommodate the mana fixing required to cast it on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana, Press into Service might be a step behind in terms of mana efficiency when compared to other creature control mechanics or cheaper takeover spells, making it a heavier investment in games where tempo is crucial.

Reasons to Include Press into Service in Your Collection

Versatility: Press into Service provides unique flexibility in gameplay, as it allows players to seize control of their opponent’s creatures and potentially turn the tides in their favor. This feature can be incorporated into various deck archetypes that aim to manipulate the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to grant two +1/+1 counters can synergize with strategies focused on bolstering creatures quickly. Additionally, taking control of opponent’s key pieces can disrupt their combos and might even enable surprising plays with your own.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to shift creature ownership, Press into Service is a dynamic tool against creature-heavy decks that dominate the current meta. It’s particularly potent in matchups where commanding the best creatures can make all the difference.

How to beat

Press into Service stands out in MTG for its potential to swing the momentum of a game by snatching control of an opponent’s creature. This can be a pivotal move, especially when used on a powerful or pivotal creature that an adversary relies upon. Similar to other Threaten effects, this card presents a temporary shift in board control, but there’s a strategy to overcoming its impact.

Counterspells are a player’s first line of defense. By keeping mana open, you can counter Press into Service before it resolves, ensuring control of your creatures remains intact. Another method is to play creatures with hexproof or shroud, making them ineligible targets. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells can be a safeguard; you can respond to Press into Service by removing the targeted creature from play, nullifying the spell’s effect altogether. Lastly, sacrifice outlets allow you to eliminate your own creature in response, denying your opponent the benefit and potentially providing you with some advantage in return.

Ultimately, while Press into Service can be a powerful and unexpected disruption, there are multiple tactics to preemptively safeguard your assets or respond swiftly to mitigate its influence on the battlefield.

Cards like Press into Service

Press into Service stands out in the myriad of control magic-style effects in Magic: The Gathering. When you cast Press into Service, not only do you gain control of a target creature but it also comes with two +1/+1 counters due to the support mechanic. This extra boost can turn a modest threat into a considerable one, giving the card a dual purpose of control and enhancement.

Act of Treason is a card that shares similarities with Press into Service, providing the temporary theft of a creature without any additional buffs. On the other hand, Catch // Release allows for a broader range of targets, including not just creatures but also other permanents, albeit at a higher mana cost. Comparatively, Zealous Conscripts also grants temporary control but with the added utility of untapping the seized permanent and enabling it to attack or use its abilities that turn.

Assessing the field, Press into Service provides a unique blend of immediate board impact and creature enhancement. This synergy between control and bolstering creature strength offers a strategic advantage, making it a potent choice for players looking to tip the scales in their favor on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Press into Service MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Press into Service and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Press into Service has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	As Press into Service resolves, if at least one of its targets is still legal, it will resolve, affecting only targets that are still legal at that time. If none of its targets are still legal at that time, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen.
2016-01-22	Gaining control of a creature doesn’t cause you to gain control of any Auras or Equipment attached to it.
2016-01-22	If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature.
2016-01-22	Support can target a creature you don’t control.
2016-01-22	The last target of Press into Service can be any creature, even one that’s untapped, one you already control, or one targeted by the support part of the spell.
2016-01-22	You can’t put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action.