Grab the Reins MTG Card


Grab the Reins offers card advantage by combining creature control or a damage option. Instant speed usage bolsters strategies, allowing reaction to threats swiftly. Entwine cost and mana specificity can influence deckbuilding considerations significantly.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Entwine

Text of card

Choose one Until end of turn, you gain control of target creature and it gains haste; or sacrifice a creature, then Grab the Reins deals damage equal to that creature's power to target creature or player. Entwine (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)


Cards like Grab the Reins

Grab the Reins is a distinctive card in MTG that provides a unique combination of control and damage capabilities. It stands in a niche category of cards that allow a player to temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature. Act of Treason is one such card that shares this functionality. Both enable the player to hijack another creature for a turn, but Grab the Reins takes it further by offering an entwined cost that allows you to then sacrifice the stolen creature for maximum impact.

Traitrous Blood is another card that treads a similar path. It too grants control of an opponent’s creature with an added trample bonus but misses the secondary option to sacrifice. Conversely, Grab the Reins offers flexibility that can be crucial during gameplay. Hijack follows the same thematic trait of commandeering creatures and artifacts, broadening the scope of control but doesn’t provide the immediate damage potential that Grab the Reins does.

Therefore, in analyzing the competitive landscape of control and sacrifice spells within MTG, Grab the Reins affirms its unique position. Its dual-purpose use as both a means of temporary control and a tool for direct damage establishes a firm place for it in strategies that revolve around commandeering and sacrificing for added benefits.

Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Hijack - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Hijack - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grab the Reins by color, type and mana cost

Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions
Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grab the Reins affords flexibility in card use, offering a choice between gaining control of an opponent’s creature or dealing damage. This potential for a two-in-one effect makes it a powerful tool for gaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially removing a key creature from your opponent’s board, this card can accelerate your own resources – your creatures are free to attack unblocked or your opponent’s resources are tied up by the threat you now control.

Instant Speed: With its instant speed, Grab the Reins provides strategic variability, allowing you to respond to threats or create opportunities at the end of your opponent’s turn. This reactive use can be a substantial strategic advantage, throttling the tempo of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players eyeing to utilize Grab the Reins to its full potential, they must be prepared to tap into their reserves. This card’s entwine cost demands a card to be discarded, which could be a strategic setback when your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Utilizing Grab the Reins in your deck requires a firm commitment to red mana. Its fire-centric mana requisite may deter inclusion in multicolored decks that cannot reliably produce the necessary red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its entwine ability calling for seven mana, Grab the Reins might strain your mana resources. There are alternatives in the realm of control or theft effects that don’t command such a steep price, possibly making them more attractive options for players looking to optimize their mana efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grab the Reins offers flexible gameplay, fitting into decks that thrive on instant speed interactions. It serves dual purposes—creature control and a finisher through its entwine cost.

Combo Potential: This card can create explosive plays when combined with sacrifice outlets or when seizing key creatures from your opponent to turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are dominant, having the ability to take control of the best threats or removing key creatures can be game-changing.


How to beat

Grab the Reins is a versatile card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, with the ability to alter the battlefield by either controlling or eliminating key creatures. To effectively counter this card, one must be prepared for both its entwine cost and instant speed. Employing instant-speed removal or counterspells such as Swords to Plowshares or Counterspell can disrupt your opponent’s attempts to turn the tide with Grab the Reins.

Diversifying threats is another strategy, putting less emphasis on single creatures that could be hijacked and more on creating a wide board presence. Cards like Doomed Traveler, which leave behind a token when destroyed, or hexproof creatures, can safeguard against the control and sacrifice element. The key is to anticipate the pivotal moment your opponent might cast Grab the Reins and be ready with a response that preserves your board state and thwarts their plans.

Navigating around the complexities of Grab the Reins ensures that you maintain control over the course of the game, keeping your most valuable assets secure from unexpected commandeering or sacrifice. With careful play and strategic foresight, you can diminish the impact of this impactful card on your quest for victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the MTG realm, understanding the ins and outs of strategic card play is crucial. The versatility and tactical advantage provided by Grab the Reins make it a noteworthy addition to your arsenal. From its instant speed to the combo potential it harbors, the card is a formidable choice for tilting the game in your favor. As you build your collection and tailor your deck, keeping an eye on such adaptable cards can enhance your overall strategy. Explore further and integrate Grab the Reins into your gameplay to harness the full potential of control and aggression. Dive deeper with us to optimize your tactics and establish dominance on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grab the Reins MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Commander 2016, 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 Grab the Reins and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grab the Reins Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2016-11-11. Illustrated by Michael Sutfin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 952003NormalBlackMichael Sutfin
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1262015NormalBlackMichael Sutfin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grab the Reins has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 If you cast this with Entwine, you don’t get priority in the middle of resolution. You can’t steal something, do anything (like attack with it), and then sacrifice it.
2004-12-01 If you choose the “sacrifice a creature” mode, you choose the target of the damage on announcement, but don’t choose what to sacrifice until resolution. You must sacrifice a creature when Grab the Reins resolves, even if you don’t want to. If you don’t control any creatures at that time, Grab the Reins deals no damage.
2004-12-01 If you pay the entwine cost, you can sacrifice the creature you gain control of with Grab the Reins.