Eunuchs' Intrigues MTG Card


Eunuchs' Intrigues - Portal Three Kingdoms
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set namePortal Three Kingdoms
Set codePTK
Number110
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderwhite
Illustred byLi Yousong

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants a multi-layered approach to gameplay, disrupting opponents while providing card advantage opportunities.
  2. Demands specific mana colors and a strategic approach to mitigate its higher mana investment compared to impact.
  3. Its niche flexibility and political nuance can be a game-changer in the right deck and meta environment.

Text of card

Your opponent chooses one of his or her creatures. Only that creature can block this turn.

Taking control of powerful court positions one by one, eunuchs eventually brought on the fall of the Han dynasty, leading to the chaos of the Three Kingdoms.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eunuchs’ Intrigues allows players to potentially disrupt opponents’ strategies while replacing itself in hand, contributing to card parity or even card advantage depending on the game state.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially forcing each opponent to lose a creature, Eunuchs’ Intrigues can inadvertently accelerate your resource development by clearing the board, making way for your threats to hit the opposition unimpeded.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Eunuchs’ Intrigues at instant speed gives you the upper hand, keeping opponents guessing while you efficiently manage your resources and wait for the opportune moment to tilt the board in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Eunuchs’ Intrigues comes with the need to discard a card, placing you in a tough spot if your hand is already dwindling and you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of this card is narrowly defined, requiring both black and blue mana. This can be restrictive, making it a less flexible option for decks that operate outside of those specific colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value being on the higher side for its effects, Eunuchs’ Intrigues demands a significant investment which could be better served on other spells or creatures that provide immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Eunuch’s Intrigues in Your Collection

Versatility: Eunuch’s Intrigues offers a unique layer of strategic depth to any deck. As a lesser-known card, it can catch opponents off guard while adjusting to various game states, making it a flexible addition that can sway the tides of battle in your favor.

Combo Potential: This intriguing card sparks the imagination with its capacity to set up game-winning conditions when combined with other pieces. Its ability to manage and incite board interactions is a key asset for players looking to craft intricate combos and outwit their opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamic nature of the meta, Eunuch’s Intrigues could rise as a dark horse in your arsenal. Its ability to subtly manipulate the game can be crucial against decks that rely heavily on creature strategies or that establish formidable board presences.


How to beat Eunuchs’ Intrigues

Eunuchs’ Intrigues weaves complexity into the game, posing a challenge with its unique effects. Unlike direct removal spells, it subtly shifts the balance of power on the board. To effectively navigate against this card, players should prioritize building a diverse lineup, peppering their deck with creatures that have varying abilities. Incidental graveyard fillers, such as cards with Cycling or self-mill attributes, help recover from the discard demands of Eunuchs’ Intrigues.

Adaptability is the key, and cards that offer multiple uses or those that can be played from the graveyard, such as Flashback spells, become invaluable. Also, consider leveraging spells or creatures that generate value upon entering or leaving the battlefield, thus reducing the impact of any potential sacrifices. By diversifying your strategies and maintaining a hand that can respond to surprises, you can diminish the advantage that Eunuchs’ Intrigues offers to your opponent.

In essence, outmaneuvering Eunuchs’ Intrigues requires a mix of strategic deck construction and in-game tactics. By anticipating its appearance and adjusting your playstyle accordingly, the influence of this nuanced card can be properly mitigated, allowing you to stay in control of the game’s pace and direction.


Cards like Eunuchs' Intrigues

Eunuchs’ Intrigues sits in a nuanced category of MTG cards that focus on political manipulation and decision-making. It shares a thematic link with Expropriate, where choices granted to opponents can significantly affect the game’s direction. Both cards hinge on the whims of your adversaries but Eunuchs’ Intrigues is celebrated for its subtlety and lower mana cost.

Like Council’s Judgment, Eunuchs’ Intrigues also indulges in the will of the council mechanic, whereby players vote to influence the outcome. However, while Council’s Judgment allows for the removal of any nonland permanent regardless of the vote outcome, Eunuchs’ Intrigues can be less predictable and requires a deeper understanding of opponent psychology to exploit fully.

Capital Punishment is another card that presents a choice to your opponents, offering them the dilemma between sacrificing creatures or discarding cards. Eunuchs’ Intrigues differs in its approach, not hitting as hard directly but weaving a more complex web of potential stratagems. This subtlety often leads to a stronger impact in the political aspect of gameplay.

Comparing Eunuchs’ Intrigues to these related cards showcases the finesse required in using such a card effectively. It stands out for those who relish steering the game in understated, yet potent ways.

Expropriate - MTG Card versions
Council's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Capital Punishment - MTG Card versions
Expropriate - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Council's Judgment - Conspiracy (CNS)
Capital Punishment - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Cards similar to Eunuchs' Intrigues by color, type and mana cost

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Game of Chaos - Ice Age (ICE)
Evaporate - Homelands (HML)
Steam Blast - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Goblin Offensive - Urza's Saga (USG)
Desert Sandstorm - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Arc Lightning - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Pillage - Arena League 2000 (PAL00)
Search for Survivors - Prophecy (PCY)
Searing Rays - Invasion (INV)
Rupture - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Tundra Fumarole - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Browbeat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Erratic Explosion - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Threaten - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sizzle - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hammer of Bogardan - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Fiery Gambit - Mirrodin (MRD)
Flamebreak - Darksteel (DST)
Panic Attack - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eunuchs' Intrigues MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Eunuchs' Intrigues and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eunuchs' Intrigues has restrictions

FormatLegality
PredhLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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