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Mythic Decks
Mythic Decks

Desertion

CN2 · rare · Released 2016-08-26

Tiers

tier-2
tier-1
tier-1

Commander Bracket

1Precon2Core3Upgraded4Optimized5cEDH

Archetypes

positive:
controlmidrangestax-prison
negative:
aggroburntempo

Roles

hard-countermind-controltheft-temporary

Risks

pip-heavyconditional-trigger

Mechanics

—

Typal

synergy:

—

anti:

—

Structural

modal

Rationale

5cmc instant — counter target spell; if it's an artifact or creature, put it onto the battlefield under your control instead. Functions as both a hard counter AND permanent theft, making it exceptional value when it hits the right target. Tier-2 in Commander because 5 mana at instant speed is a real ask in a format where Counterspell and Mana Drain exist at lower cost; jumps to tier-1 in Brawl where the 1v1 dynamic makes snagging your opponent's bomb an immediate game-swing.

Learnings (3)

  • Desertion's theft clause is a replacement effect — the stolen permanent never goes to the graveyard, so 'dies' or 'graveyard' triggers on the original owner's side don't fire.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

  • Unlike Mind Control or Control Magic, Desertion's theft is permanent and not an Aura, meaning the stolen permanent can't be reclaimed by simply removing an enchantment.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

  • In Commander, Desertion is most impactful when held up against high-CMC creature or artifact spells (e.g., Blightsteel Colossus, Darksteel Forge) — the mana gap between caster and counter is narrowest in late-game topdeck wars.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

Popularity

  • EDHREC rank: #7,063

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