Ashwin Lewis
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card in the game Magic: The Gathering. As Xantcha enters the battlefield, an opponent of the player's choice gains control of it. Xantcha is a 5/5 creature that attacks each combat if able. She cannot attack the player who played her or any planeswalkers they control. Any player can pay three mana to activate her ability, causing Xantcha's controller to lose two life and the player activating her ability to draw a card.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Control | An opponent of your choice gains control of Xantcha, Sleeper Agent as it enters the battlefield |
| Owner | If the owner leaves the game, Xantcha leaves with them |
| Controller | If the controller leaves the game, Xantcha is exiled |
| Activation | Any player can pay three mana and the controller loses two life, and the player activating her ability will draw a card |
| Attack | Xantcha attacks each combat if able, but she can't attack her controller or planeswalkers they control |
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What You'll Learn
Xantcha's ability to change control
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card in the game Magic: The Gathering. When Xantcha enters the battlefield, an opponent of the owner's choice gains control of it. Xantcha's ability to change control is a continuous, control-changing effect. This means that once Xantcha is on the battlefield, the owner's opponent has continuous control over the card until the opponent leaves the game. If the opponent controlling Xantcha leaves the game, Xantcha is exiled, and the owner regains control of the card.
The owner can use Xantcha's ability to their advantage by carefully choosing which opponent will control her. For example, the owner could select an opponent who is already in a strong position, hoping to gain some advantage through their control of Xantcha. Alternatively, the owner could choose an opponent who is struggling, hoping to hinder the other players and improve their chances of winning.
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Xantcha's owner vs. controller
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card in the game Magic: The Gathering. When Xantcha enters the battlefield, she is immediately placed under the control of an opponent of the player's choosing. This is a continuous, control-changing effect. Xantcha's owner never has control of her as a creature, and her controller cannot attack her owner or any planeswalkers they control. If Xantcha's controller leaves the game, the control-changing effect ends, and Xantcha is exiled.
There is some confusion regarding the rules for Xantcha's behaviour when her controller leaves the game. Some sources suggest that Xantcha's owner gains control of her when her controller leaves the game. However, others argue that since Xantcha's owner never had control of her in the first place, there is no controller to revert to, and she must be exiled.
The release notes for Commander 2018 provide some clarification on Xantcha's abilities. According to the notes, "an opponent gaining control of Xantcha is also a continuous, control-changing effect". This suggests that the control-changing effect remains in place as long as Xantcha is under the opponent's control and ends when the opponent leaves the game.
It is important to note that Xantcha's abilities present some unique challenges and complexities, and even official sources seem to provide conflicting information at times. The specific rules and interpretations may also evolve over time as new editions of the game are released.
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Xantcha's ability to attack
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a 5/5 creature with an ability that reads: "As Xantcha, Sleeper Agent enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice gains control of it." This means that when Xantcha is cast, its controller chooses an opponent to become the new controller of the creature. Xantcha's ability is a replacement effect, which means it modifies how it enters the battlefield. It is not a triggered ability, and players cannot take actions while Xantcha is on the battlefield before it is controlled by another player.
Xantcha's controller can influence its ability to attack through various means. For example, they can tap Xantcha to prevent it from attacking or utilize certain cards and abilities to change its controller, potentially hindering its capacity to attack specific targets. Xantcha's controller can also choose not to pay any costs associated with having it attack, effectively opting not to engage in combat with the creature. These factors collectively contribute to the strategic considerations and complexities surrounding Xantcha's capacity to attack within the game.
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Xantcha's card activation
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card in the game Magic: The Gathering. The card's ability is that as it enters the battlefield, an opponent of the player's choice gains control of it. Xantcha is a 5/5 creature card that attacks each combat if able, but it cannot attack the player who played it or any planeswalkers they control.
Any player can pay three mana to activate Xantcha's ability, causing its controller to lose two life and allowing the player activating the ability to draw a card. This ability can be used by the player who played the card to draw cards and slow down their opponent.
If the player controlling Xantcha leaves the game, Xantcha is exiled. If Xantcha's owner leaves the game, Xantcha leaves the game with them.
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Xantcha's life loss ability
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card in the game Magic: The Gathering. Xantcha's ability is that, as she enters the battlefield, an opponent of the player's choice gains control of her. Xantcha's controller can then activate her last ability, causing the player to lose two life and draw a card. This ability can be activated by any player, meaning that if an opponent gains control of Xantcha, they can use her ability against the original player.
It is worth noting that Xantcha's ability does not deal damage, but rather causes life loss. This is an important distinction as it means that damage-related cards and abilities will not work with Xantcha. Additionally, Xantcha's ability is a replacement effect, not a triggered one, which means that she enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, rather than the player's. This is significant because, in the game, control-changing effects end before permanents a player who has left the game controlled are exiled.
Overall, Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card that adds an element of surprise and strategy to the game, as players must carefully choose when and how to use her abilities to their advantage, while also being aware of the potential for opponents to do the same.
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Frequently asked questions
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent is a card from the 2018 Commander precon decks.
When Xantcha enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice gains control of it.
Xantcha is exiled.
Yes, Xantcha's controller may activate its last ability. In this case, the controller loses 2 life and draws a card.
If Xantcha can't attack for any reason (e.g. being tapped or having come under that player's control that turn), then it doesn't attack.
