Surprisingly, this is the only card that ever used -1/-0 counters.
In constrast, 9 use +1/+0, 7 use -0/-1, and 7 use +0/+1 counters.
I have to wonder if this represents the weird counters' last hurrah. After Mirage, just 5 more such cards were printed, and they all used +2/+2 counters: The 4-card Chimera cycle, and finally Fungus Elemental.
The most interesting part is that Mirage had exactly one card for each "unit counter":
Jabari's Influence | Wall of Roots
Consuming Ferocity | Wall of Resistance
Posted By:
HuntingDrake
(5/14/2013 12:00:50 AM)
The thing is, this is an instant, not an enchantment.
If Mind Control goes, you lose control of that creature. With this, you keep it, plain and simple.
Posted By:
Andon_A
(5/18/2010 10:33:37 PM)
Run with Power Conduit, Ferropede, or Medicine Runner.
Posted By:
mrredhatter
(11/2/2009 7:40:28 AM)
Also, keep in mind this is a white card. How often does white get to perma-control a creature? This is good for the same reason sunlance is, it's an out of color ability.
Posted By:
Iktomi
(7/18/2011 2:35:16 AM)
Braid_of_Fire's Card of the Day #12
I have never been surprised by clicking "Random Card" on Gatherer before this card. I've seen many off-color effects from early Magic expansions that are over-costed and not very dramatic, but this one is both on-cost and as splashy as effects come.
The drawback is considerable, but if it's a creature you'd want to steal, they'll be attacking with it. At the same time, if it's a creature worth stealing, it's not going to be nice to get smacked by it.
The "Instant" part of the card is a bit of a misnomer; because they have to attack into you, there's no advantage to this over a Sorcery besides getting Haste creature.
Even so, this is a thrilling card for EDH and other multiplayer formats. Off-color effects are rarely expected and this one is very powerful. Just the threat of it within your own play group can scare people from attacking you once it becomes a known quantity. That it's a spell rather than an Aura is a reasonabl... (see all)
Posted By:
Palochka
(9/30/2012 5:29:35 PM)
mind control
Posted By:
Ajani_is_da_man
(12/29/2009 6:50:09 AM)
The end step is after combat!
Posted By:
Kryptnyt
(11/11/2011 5:22:59 AM)
@Kryptnyt:
Second main phase is after combat!
Posted By:
MillingMaster
(4/5/2014 6:31:08 AM)