Yavimaya's EmbraceHow it works & interactions with other cards

Taking Total Control

When Yavimaya's Embrace enters the battlefield, you gain control of the enchanted creature. This effect is continuous as long as the Aura remains attached. Unlike some effects that only steal a creature for a turn, this is a permanent shift in loyalty. Additionally, the creature grows by +2/+2 and gains trample, making it much harder for your opponent to chump block their former ally.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast Yavimaya's Embrace targeting a creature on the battlefield. Upon resolution, the Aura attaches to the creature, and the 'You control enchanted creature' static effect immediately applies. Because you are the new controller, if the creature doesn't have haste and you haven't controlled it since the start of your most recent turn, it will have 'summoning sickness' and cannot attack or tap for abilities immediately.

When to Play It

Since this card costs eight mana, it is a high-end finisher. It is best used to target a creature with powerful passive or triggered abilities, as you will now benefit from those effects. Because it grants trample, it is particularly effective on high-power creatures that were previously being held back by small tokens.

Common Pitfalls

Remember that if Yavimaya's Embrace is destroyed or leaves the battlefield, the control effect ends, and the creature returns to its previous controller (or its owner, if no other control effects are active). Also, if the target creature gains protection from blue or green while the spell is on the stack, the spell will fizzle and go to the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Tripling Your Mana

Nyxbloom Ancient

If your opponent controls Nyxbloom Ancient, you can cast Yavimaya's Embrace to take control of it. Once the Aura resolves, the Nyxbloom Ancient is now yours. Not only is it now a 7/7 with trample, but its static ability now applies to you: whenever you tap a permanent for mana, it produces three times as much of that mana instead.

Scaling Damage with Bahamut

Summon: Bahamut

You can target an opponent's Summon: Bahamut with Yavimaya's Embrace. Since Summon: Bahamut is an Enchantment Creature, it is a legal target. When the Saga reaches its IV chapter, the 'Mega Flare' ability will trigger. Because you control the creature, it will deal damage to each of your opponents (including the creature's original owner) based on the mana value of other permanents you control.