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Mind Control

	Spell

Priest

10

Take control of an enemy minion.

Nominated as "Spell Most Likely to Make Your Opponent Punch the Wall."

Stats

This card is used in 54.36% of all Priest decks.

Comments

Comment by Alcest

The flavor text is definitely correct.

At the time of me posting this, I haven't played the beta, but I'm assuming that using this card also lets you attack with it in the same turn, making this one of the most deadliest and amazing cards in the game (at this time). It's defensive, offensive, and everything in between simultaneously!

Comment by Xinhuan

Game Mechanics

Unlike Shadow Madness, you CANNOT attack with the minion you take control of with Mind Control in the same turn, unless it has Charge.
Mind Control is not applied as a buff to the target minion, so silencing the Mind Controlled minion will not return it to the original owner.
If a Mind Controlled minion is returned to the hand by an effect such as Sap or Youthful Brewmaster, the card is returned to the controlling player's hand. To Magic: The Gathering players, Owner means Controller in Hearthstone.
If you Mind Control an enemy Wild Pyromancer, your newly gained Wild Pyromancer will witness the completion of the spell, trigger, and deal 1 damage to all minions.
Normally, Mind Control cannot be cast if your board is full (7 minions). However, if you have a Violet Teacher or Illidan Stormrage in play with a total of 6 minions, casting Mind Control will cause a 7th minion to spawn. Since your board is now full, Mind Control will instead destroy target minion. Any Deathrattle that activates as a result of this will trigger as if the opponent still controls that minion.

Additional Notes

Mind Control is best used on large minions, or a minion with Taunt that is sitting in the way of your victory.
This card is considered a "2 for 1 card", because not only do you remove an enemy minion, you also gain one which (almost always) require the enemy player to spend another card to remove. That is, your enemy must spend 2 cards to counter 1 card (Mind Control).
The casting cost of Mind Control is often compared against the equivalent of summoning a Faceless Manipulator followed by an Assassinate, both of which cost 5 mana for a total of 10.

Trivia

In the closed beta patch on 10 Dec 2013, Mind Control's casting cost was changed from 8 to 10.
Mind Control was nerfed from 8 to 10 mana due to public outcry. "From a pure balance point of view, we didn't have to make any changes to it, it was just an emotionally unbalanced card". (Source: Eric Dodds, "Hearthstone: 10 Bits of Design Wisdom", Game Developer's Conference 2014. Skip to 44:15 of the video.)

Comment by Mormolyce

Ow, my wall-punching hand!

Comment by Mukumber

Golden version unlocked at Priest level 49 and 50

Comment by frmorrison

The mana cost will increase to 10 mana in an upcoming patch.

Comment by ghostwing

Just played a priest with 3 of this.. shouldn't be a common

Comment by tournevis

artwork of the card in higher resolution: http://i.imgur.com/R5tB97m.jpg

Comment by dalerus

Is it bad that I'm making a pokedex-esque checklist of all the legendaries I've used this card on? You know what they say, gotta catch em all!

Comment by Maruset

Quite possibly the most hated card in the game as of this post.

Comment by ShayoDarkleaf

This is, without a question, the most disgusting card in Hearthstone. It doesn't matter how expensive the card is, or how expensive the card will be after patch, it does too much, even at 10 cost. Most removal cards simply stop, or slow down momentum. What this card does, is take the opponent's momentum, and make it your own, which is absolutely absurd. There is no reason not to pick this card up, it outperforms any other form of removal, in every aspect, which is the definition of overpowered.

If the creature that was being mind controlled got silenced, then it would possibly be balanced.

Comment by Kilkow

8 cost is fine but it should have more counters other than counter spell and spell bender which are secrets available only mages and are not that hard to circumvent. Mind control should count as a spell/curse/debuff whatever you want to call it so when you silence it it goes back to the rightful owner. Also put a limit of 1 per deck.

Comment by Kyojen

Pretty much every time I lose to a priest, it's because of this bloody card.

Comment by Lefterman

could this card be an easter egg about priests dropping people into the lava in blackrock mountain?
the guy is even wearing his shadowcraft set :D

Comment by Zelphon

Pretty legit flavor text :/

Comment by NoOneLeft

The control effect takes place after anything that might trigger from casting a spell. The game won't let you play this if you don't have a free minion slot on your side, but if you have a Violet Teacher, you better have two free slots unless you just want to remove an enemy minion. With a Violet Teacher on your side the first action is the triggered effect of creating that 1/1 minion. If that minion takes the last slot then the mind controlled enemy minion just goes poof.

Comment by Marchenoir

This card needs to be reworked. A guaranteed high value 2 for 1 that shuts down any control deck once turn 10 happens with 0 counterplay possible is neither a fine or healthy gamedesign idea.

Comment by Blufuzzyhat

Personally, I only really use this card as a last stand. I am well aware of its power, but when I have an opponent that that kicks my ass with a buffed up taunt card, I will put that look of awe and disappointment on their face.

Comment by Shrikesnest

If you Thoughsteal a Rogue's Prepration, it will not reduce the cost of this card. Be advised.

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