Illicit Auction MTG Card

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 183

Illicit Auction - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 190

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Creates a strategic play and leverages life points for creature control, adding depth to MTG matches.
Demanding a precise mana combination, it pigeonholes itself to certain deck structures and strategies.
Rewards players who are adept at resource management and can exploit the unique auction mechanic.

Text of card

Choose target creature. Each player may bid life for control of that creature. You begin the bidding with a high bid of 0. Proceeding in turn order, each player may top the high bid. The auction ends when the high bid stands. The high bidder loses an amount of life equal to the high bid and gains control of the creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Illicit Auction creates dynamic interactions on the battlefield, encouraging strategy and foresight. This card can shift the balance of power, allowing a player to gain control of a key creature that can lead to significant card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Illicit Auction forces opponents to potentially overspend on a single creature. This can deplete their resources, providing you with a relative acceleration in terms of available mana and strategic positioning.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Illicit Auction doesn’t benefit from instant speed itself. However, it sets a stage where players with instant speed responses can manipulate the outcome to their advantage, creating unexpected turns in the tide of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the devious trade of Illicit Auction requires you to discard another card. This can hinder your game if you’re already grappling with a dwindling hand, thereby weakening your tactical position.

Specific Mana Cost: Illicit Auction demands a precise mix of mana, with three generic and two red mana. This specific cost can restrict the card to primarily red-oriented strategies, leaving little room for flexibility in multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total of five mana needed to cast Illicit Auction, one might consider it costly for the effect it provides. There are alternative cards with lower mana demands that could yield comparable or even superior advantages in the frantic pace of the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Illicit Auction is a unique card that offers a twist in gameplay, creating unexpected situations in casual and commander decks. Its ability to bid life points for control of a creature adds a strategic layer to the game.

Combo Potential: This card presents an opportunity for intriguing combos with strategies revolving around life total manipulation or auction-themed decks, providing a different route to gain temporary or even permanent control of key creatures on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where stealing opponents’ resources is advantageous, Illicit Auction could serve as a valuable tool. Its potential to disrupt opponent’s strategies by taking their creatures makes it a card worth considering for specific meta scenarios.

How to beat

Illicit Auction, a red spell known for its unique bidding mechanic, becomes a point of intrigue in any MTG match. When it lands on the battlefield, players engage in a war of wagers, each attempting to claim the creature put up for bid. This auction can shake up the board state, leaving opponents short on life if not approached strategically.

To counter this MTG card effectively, it’s vital to take stock of available resources, primarily your life points. Define a limit based on your game strategy and the value of the creature at stake. Additionally, consider the context—sometimes letting a creature go can open up better plays or save life for critical turns ahead. Remember, bluffing can be a powerful tool; showing hesitation might lead your opponents to overbid. Lastly, always be mindful of potential instant-speed tricks or abilities that can alter the creature’s value or your life total mid-auction. This careful balance of resource management and psychological play can help you overcome the chaotic nature of Illicit Auction.

In the wider MTG context, Illicit Auction might not be omnipresent, but understanding its intricacies can turn a seeming setback into a strategic advantage, underlining the depth and complexity of Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay.

Cards like Illicit Auction

Illicit Auction holds a unique place among bidding mechanics in MTG. It shares a thematic lineage with cards like Goblin Game, which also creates an unpredictable bidding war between players. Illicit Auction, however, allows players to bid life to take control of any creature on the battlefield, introducing both a strategic and risky element. Goblin Game, in contrast, has players hiding objects and potentially losing life based on the outcome which is less targeted in its approach.

Another kindred card is Pain’s Reward, which like Illicit Auction, involves a bidding of life points. But Pain’s Reward is centred solely on card draw, offering a different kind of resource than creature control. Lastly, we have the card Mage’s Contest, which teeters in the same realm of life bidding during a counter war over a spell.

Though the mentioned cards are united by the life bidding theme, Illicit Auction’s distinctive blend of creature control bids sets it apart, offering a thrilling tactical edge in gameplay. Its capability to disrupt the battlefield and potentially turn the tides of a game is what makes Illicit Auction a noteworthy and strategic choice for MTG players looking to utilize unconventional methods to victory.

Cards similar to Illicit Auction by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Illicit Auction MTG card by a specific set like Mirage 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 Illicit Auction and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Illicit Auction Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Scott Kirschner.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-10-08	Mirage	MIR		183	1997	Normal	Black	Scott Kirschner
2	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED		190	1997	Normal	White	Scott Kirschner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Illicit Auction has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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