That Which Was Taken MTG Card

That Which Was Taken - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
2005-02-04 - Number 162

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number BOK-162

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

Key Takeaways

It generates ongoing benefits by imparting indestructibility, enhancing your board’s resilience over time.
Integrates with instant speed play, allowing for strategic mana utilization and surprise tactics.
Though mana-intensive, its unique ability can dictate the flow of the game, deterring opponent actions.

Text of card

, : Put a divinity counter on target permanent other than That Which Was Taken. Each permanent with a divinity counter on it is indestructible.

"This god held prisoner in human hands has put all humanity in the hands of angry gods." —Masako the Humorless

Card Pros

Card Advantage: That Which Was Taken allows you to steadily enhance your board presence by placing divinity counters on permanents you control. Each counter has the potential to turn into an invaluable protective measure, potentially shielding your key creatures or other permanents from targeted removal, effectively acting as persistent card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The five mana cost of That Which Was Taken might seem steep, but it can be a long-term investment into the strength of your board. By enabling any permanent to become indestructible, you accelerate your resource protection, which can deter opponents from wasting removal spells, allowing you to maintain or increase your resources unchallenged.

Instant Speed: While That Which Was Taken itself doesn’t function at instant speed, its activation plays well with instant speed strategies. You can leave mana untapped to bluff counterspells or removal, only using That Which Was Taken’s ability if no immediate threats materialize, keeping your opponents guessing and your permanents safe.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This legendary artifact doesn’t directly force discarding, but its five-mana cost may lead you to discard it in favor of more immediate board impact.

Specific Mana Cost: That Which Was Taken demands a very specific four colorless and one legendary mana to play, potentially straining your mana base to meet this requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of five mana and additional four mana for each activation, That Which Was Taken can be quite costly, especially when contrasted with other mana-efficient protection or counterspelling options available.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: That Which Was Taken adds value to a wide array of MTG decks through its ability to protect key creatures and permanents. This legendary artifact’s shield counters secure your most important cards against common removal methods, fitting seamlessly into various strategies that prioritize board control and resiliency.

Combo Potential: With the power to consistently place shield counters on your permanents, That Which Was Taken can create formidable combinations with cards that benefit from or interact with counters. It can turn a simple creature into a persistent threat and is an excellent way to support a counter-centric build.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to fortify your game against numerous forms of interaction, this card holds its ground in metas with heavy spot removal or where maintaining key pieces on the board is crucial. It also synergizes with decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, making it an adaptable pick in changing game environments.

How to Beat

That Which Was Taken is a legendary artifact you might face on the MTG battlefield that can certainly cause a stir. A key strategy to conquer this card revolves around timing and resource allocation. Since the card enhances permanents by adding indestructible divinity counters, it pays to target it before those counters accumulate. Direct artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Nature’s Claim can be game-changers when dealing with That Which Was Taken, swiftly removing it from play before your opponent can capitalize on its potential.

Efficiently managing your mana to keep instant-speed removal in reserve can be crucial when going up against That Which Was Taken. Additionally, countering the card on its way to the battlefield with spells like Counterspell or Negate can foil your opponent’s plans before they unravel. Keep in mind that pacing your aggressiveness to take advantage of the turns spent by your opponent to invest in That Which Was Taken can shift the game in your favor. It all comes down to being prepared and grasping the right moment to strip your adversary of their powerful artifact.

Remember, the earlier you address the threat of That Which Was Taken, the less likely your opponent will establish a formidable board presence brimming with indestructible permanents. Having a plan and the right tools at your disposal means you’ll be ready to face and dismantle the strength That Which Was Taken brings to the game.

Cards like That Which Was Taken

That Which Was Taken holds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering, offering a distinct ability to place divinity counters on other permanents. Its closest counterpart could be proliferate mechanics found in cards like Contagion Engine, which allows you to add additional counters of a kind already present on the field, albeit with a broader potential impact. However, That Which Was Taken offers a specialization in divinity counters that Contagion Engine and similar cards do not specifically cater to.

Another parallel can be drawn with Doubling Season, a card that doubles the number of counters placed on your permanents. Although it doesn’t grant the same direct control over counter placement as That Which Was Taken, Doubling Season is renowned for its powerful synergy with planeswalkers and token strategies, something That Which Was Taken cannot replicate. Yet, for decks focused on indestructibility through divinity counters, the latter provides a strategic advantage that can be pivotal in certain builds.

To sum up, while That Which Was Taken might not be as versatile as some of its peers in the counter manipulation category, its novel ability to grant indestructible status through divinity counters brings a specialized edge to the table for MTG deck builders aiming for durability and resilience in their permanents.

Cards similar to That Which Was Taken by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase That Which Was Taken MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and The List, 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 That Which Was Taken and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The That Which Was Taken Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2005-02-04. Illustrated by Adam Rex.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2005-02-04	Betrayers of Kamigawa	BOK		162	2003	Normal	Black	Adam Rex
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		BOK-162	2003	Normal	Black	Adam Rex

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where That Which Was Taken has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2005-02-01	The divinity counters created by That Which Was Taken are the same type of counter as those used by the Myojin creatures in the Champions of Kamigawa set.
2013-07-01	Permanents with divinity counters on them have indestructible only while That Which Was Taken is on the battlefield.
2014-02-01	One That Which Was Taken can put divinity counters on another That Which Was Taken.