Pretender's Claim MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	151
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

Gain control and potential card advantage with Pretender’s Claim’s disruptive enchantment ability.
The card’s specific mana requirement and discard cost are notable limitations to consider.
Strategic inclusion in decks can leverage its potential, depending on the current meta.

Text of card

Whenever enchanted creature becomes blocked, tap all lands defending player controls.

The surest way to lose your holdings is to plead for them in Mercadia City's courts.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Pretender’s Claim, you get not just the power to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by taking control of their creature, but you also essentially gain an additional asset on your board. This swing can create substantial card advantage, especially if the creature has significant abilities or stats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Pretender’s Claim doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, having control over more creatures can expedite your game plan. By commandeering an opponent’s creature, you’re increasing your battlefield presence and potential for damage each turn.

Instant Speed: Pretender’s Claim’s option to be played at instant speed adds an element of surprise and versatility. This timing allows savvy players to wait until the most opportune moment to seize a pivotal creature, perhaps in response to an opponent’s action or after they’ve declared attackers or blockers.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Pretender’s Claim may put you at a disadvantage as it demands that you discard a card upon casting. This can set you back, particularly when your hand is already running low on cards, limiting your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Pretender’s Claim comes with a specific mana cost which necessitates both black and red mana. This requirement can restrict its inclusion to certain deck types, mostly impacting players who run multicolor decks that may not prioritize these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Pretender’s Claim might be considered steep considering its effects. There are alternatives in the game that could potentially provide similar advantages or more flexibility at a lower cost, making them preferable options in many deck-building scenarios.

Reasons to Include Pretender’s Claim in Your Collection

Versatility: Pretender’s Claim is a card that can adapt to various deck archetypes. As an enchantment that can hinder your opponent’s creatures, it offers a flexible solution to deal with threats on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With the ability to essentially lock down a creature, Pretender’s Claim can be a critical piece in combos that capitalize on controlling or exploiting opponents’ creatures. Integrating this card into a strategy focused on indirect damage or creature manipulation can be quite effective.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the current meta, Pretender’s Claim can become a highly relevant sideboard card or even a mainboard inclusion. In a meta populated with creature-heavy decks, having an efficient tool for neutralizing key creatures can give you the edge necessary for victory.

How to beat Pretender’s Claim

Pretender’s Claim is a card that can pose unique challenges in MTG. This enchantment has the potential to lock down critical creatures, stifling an opponent’s offensive or defensive capabilities. Despite its power, there are ways to effectively navigate around this obstacle. Artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize are direct counters, capable of swiftly removing Pretender’s Claim from the field.

Creative deck building also plays a key role in countering such enchantments. Inclusion of bounce spells like Unsummon can return the affected creature to its owner’s hand, effectively negating the aura’s suppression. Similarly, taking advantage of spells that grant hexproof or shroud to your creatures can preclude Pretender’s Claim from latching on, preserving your battlefield presence. Consider implementing diverse strategies and maintain a balance of reactions within your deck to anticipate and counteract this menacing enchantment.

Remember, flexibility and adaptability are crucial in MTG. Whether through responsive spells, strategic deck construction, or clever on-the-fly tactics, ensuring your deck has the tools to overcome such control elements is essential in securing victory against Pretender’s Claim and similar threats.

Cards like Pretender's Claim

Pretender’s Claim is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering with intriguing control elements. It can be compared to cards like Stab Wound, which also weakens the enchanted creature and can slowly whittle away an opponent’s life total. Stab Wound reduces a creature’s power and toughness while inflicting incremental damage to its controller. Pretender’s Claim, distinct in its approach, allows for complete negation of a creature’s combat capabilities by preventing it from attacking or blocking.

Control Magic is another staple for comparison. It also interacts with creatures but through a different form of control—by hijacking an opponent’s creature entirely. Though more powerful in effect, the higher mana cost of Control Magic compared to Pretender’s Claim can make it less flexible in the early game. Confiscate follows a similar pattern, seizing control but of any permanent, which can be a game-changer. It’s broader in scope but demands a significant mana investment.

Evaluating Pretender’s Claim against these parallels, it is evident that while it does not directly steal a creature or inflict recurring damage, it presents a cost-efficient method for neutralizing threats on the battlefield and upholding a defensive stance in MTG matches.

Cards similar to Pretender's Claim 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 Pretender's Claim MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Pretender's Claim and other MTG cards: