Lassoed by the LawHow it works & interactions with other cards

Exile and Recruitment

Lassoed by the Law features two distinct 'enters the battlefield' triggers. The first is a triggered ability that exiles a target nonland permanent an opponent controls for as long as the enchantment remains on the field. The second trigger creates a 1/1 red Mercenary creature token, ensuring you maintain board pressure even while removing a threat.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Lassoed by the Law enters the battlefield, both abilities trigger and are put onto the stack in the order of your choice. You must choose a legal target for the exile ability at this time. If the first ability resolves, the target is exiled immediately. This is a single event; the permanent returns the moment Lassoed by the Law leaves the battlefield. The second ability creates the Mercenary token, which has a tap ability to buff your creatures during your main phases.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake involves the timing of the exile effect. If Lassoed by the Law is destroyed in response to its own enter-the-battlefield trigger, the target permanent is never exiled at all. Additionally, remember that the Mercenary token's ability can only be activated as a sorcery, meaning you cannot use it to buff a blocker during your opponent's turn or during the combat damage step.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized when your opponent has a single high-value threat that is stalling your game plan. Because it provides a body, it is excellent in limited formats or aggressive decks that need to remove a blocker while adding to their own creature count. It is particularly effective against nonland permanents like planeswalkers or powerful enchantments.

Interaction examples

Shutting Down the Tithe

Smothering Tithe

Your opponent has Smothering Tithe on the battlefield, taxing your card draws. You cast Lassoed by the Law. When it enters, you target Smothering Tithe with the exile trigger. Once it resolves, the Tithe is removed from the game, and you get a 1/1 Mercenary token. The Tithe will only return if Lassoed by the Law is destroyed or bounced.

Breaking Through the Prison

Ghostly PrisonMercenary

You are unable to attack because of your opponent's Ghostly Prison. You play Lassoed by the Law, targeting the Ghostly Prison for exile. Once the enchantment resolves and the Prison is exiled, your creatures are free to attack. You can then use the tap ability of the new Mercenary token (since it is a sorcery-speed buff) to increase the power of one of your attackers before moving to combat.