Desertion MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Desertion grants card advantage by countering and controlling an opponent’s creature or artifact.
  2. It counters at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility and surprise battlefield shifts.
  3. Despite its power, Desertion’s higher mana cost may limit its early game potential.

Text of card

Counter target spell. If that spell is an artifact or summon spell, put that card into play under your control as though it were just played.

First the insult, then the injury.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desertion offers a dual benefit of not only countering an opponent’s creature or artifact spell but also granting you control of that spell. This shift in battlefield presence can result in a significant card advantage, as you effectively negate an opponent’s play while enhancing your own arsenal.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly serving as a mana accelerator, by capturing an opponent’s creature or artifact, you’re potentially obtaining a resource that produces mana or accelerates resources in other ways. This can lead to an indirect acceleration of your resources without expending additional cards or mana from your hand or board.

Instant Speed: Desertion’s ability to be cast at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you strategic flexibility to react on your opponent’s turn. Whether it’s a surprise blocker or an unexpected twist in control of artifacts, the instant nature of Desertion makes it a formidable tool for disrupting your opponent’s plans at a crucial moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Desertion requires not only a high mana investment but also necessitates having a specific spell to target, which could be limiting if opponents aren’t casting the kind of spells that would justify its casting cost.

Specific Mana Cost: With a strict mana cost demanding both blue and generic mana, Desertion might restrict deck flexibility, especially in multicolor decks that could struggle with the correct mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to play Desertion is on the high side, particularly when there are alternative counter spells available that are more cost-efficient. This can be particularly cumbersome in the early game or against decks that favor speed over high-impact spells.


Reasons to Include Desertion in Your Collection

Versatility: Desertion isn’t just another counterspell. Its unique ability to not only nullify an opponent’s creature or artifact spell but also bring it under your control adds a dynamic layer of utility to control decks.

Combo Potential: This card can turn the tide by snagging pivotal combo pieces from your opponent. It synergizes well with decks that exploit opponent’s resources or those designed to leverage stolen assets to their fullest potential.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where high-impact creatures and artifacts dictate the pace of the game, Desertion can significantly disrupt opponents’ strategies while bolstering your own position on the board.


How to beat

Desertion is a powerful control card that can catch players off-guard in Magic: The Gathering. This cunning counterspell doesn’t just negate a threat; it turns the tide by letting the caster gain control of the creature or artifact spell they’re countering. Facing up against Desertion means you need a solid plan to ensure your most valuable spells don’t end up in the opponent’s control.

The key to outmaneuvering Desertion lies in baiting it out or using spells that can’t be countered. By playing less crucial spells first, you can coax out Desertion, clearing the path for your more important spells. Cards like Cavern of Souls grant your creatures uncounterable status, while spells like Prowling Serpopard and Destiny Spinner make your creature spells uncounterable, directly negating Desertion’s effect. Additionally, timing is crucial; play around your opponent’s mana availability for Desertion, which requires a significant investment of five mana. Awareness and smart sequencing can turn this seemingly overwhelming obstacle into a manageable aspect of the game.

Facing Desertion prompts careful thinking and strategic gameplay. It challenges players to adapt their strategies, making Magic: The Gathering an endlessly intriguing and complex game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Desertion is a compelling choice for any MTG player aiming to gain the upper hand in control scenarios. Its duel counter and control abilities can serve as a game-changer, making it a must-have for enthusiasts of strategic gameplay. As you consider integrating Desertion into your deck, evaluate how it aligns with your style and the current meta. Keep in mind the balance of power it brings, alongside the mana investment it demands. For more insights into optimizing your deck and mastering tactics in MTG, join us and deepen your understanding of Desertion’s potential. Enhance your gameplay with our tips and strategies today.


Cards like Desertion

In the realm of control magic spells, Desertion stands out as a prominent tool for players who enjoy turning the tables on their opponents. It’s often weighed against the likes of Spelljack, which also exhibits the ability to disrupt by capturing an opponent’s spell. The edge for Desertion is its ability to directly insert the creature into play under your control. Spelljack, while more flexible, requires you to recast the spell you capture, allocating more resources to achieve a similar effect.

Comparing with Control Magic, an enchantment that also allows you to take command of an opponent’s creature, Desertion provides a one-shot but immediate impact without the need for board presence. Conversely, Control Magic can be more vulnerable to enchantment removal. Then we have Confiscate, which is versatile in targeting any permanent, but at a steeper mana cost and without the counterplay capability Desertion offers.

In sum, Desertion distinguishes itself in the space of counteraction and creature acquisition. It poses immediate pressure on adversaries, making it a powerful choice for players looking to capitalize on both defensive and offensive strategies within the game.

Spelljack - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Confiscate - MTG Card versions
Spelljack - Judgment (JUD)
Control Magic - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Confiscate - Urza's Saga (USG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desertion MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Desertion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desertion Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Richard Kane Ferguson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 301997normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 641997normalwhiteRichard Kane Ferguson
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 479672003normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
42012-11-02Commander's ArsenalCM1 42003normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
52015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 242015normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
62016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1072015normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desertion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 If the spell is not countered (because the spell it targets can’t be countered), then this card’s ability does not put the card onto the battlefield. The spell continues to resolve as normal.
2004-10-04 The card is put onto the battlefield, but any effects that check if the original card was “cast from your hand” will not trigger or otherwise consider the card to have been cast from your hand. The card was put onto the battlefield by the effect of Desertion instead.
2004-10-04 This spell includes a replacement effect. If the target is an artifact or creature, it never goes to the graveyard.

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