Since the advent of NASA, we're used to thinking
of the moon in technical terms - dimensions,
geological characteristics, numbers in general.
We sometimes forget just how special it really
is. If it didn't orbit something else, it'd be
considered a small planet in its own right. Its
gravity affects Earth's tides and all sorts of
biological processes in animals. Ancient
cultures believed - were certain - that it was
magical and powerful. It makes absolute sense
that Innistrad's moon is the thing that can
defeat an elder Eldrazi.
As a removal spell, this card has the same
problems that all auras of that type have, but
that doesn't mean it's a bad card by a long
shot. Much like with Path to Exile, you have to
look at what the opponent loses, not what they
gain. I'm interested by the fact that it can
target planeswalkers, mainly because that
particular card type was rather protected for
quite some time. The aura doesn't undo whatever
card advantage the opponent may already have
gained before you cast it, but in any situation
where an opponent really wanted an extra land
instead of Liliana Vess, you probably would be
winning anyway. Plus, if your group uses the
current "tucking" rules in Commander, this is
the new best thing to stop generals (alongside
the similar Song of the Dryads).
Permanent got you down? Why not lock it in the
moon?
Well, it’s not quite that simple. Imprisoned in
the Moon is basically a blue, and more
restricted, version of Song of the Dryads,
turning off a scary creature or planeswalker (or
even land) and replacing it with mana. The
permanents you'd hit with this are all apt to be
top-end points on their curve, so the extra mana
source isn’t a huge problem, and one extra land
is better than an unfettered planeswalker.
Enchantment removal is currently common in
Standard, though, with Dromoka's Command pulling
a lot of weight. This pulls down the potential
of this card a good bit, but it can still buy
you a turn if they lack the removal. One other
notable thing is that this synergizes rather
nastily with Crumble to Dust (or Sowing Salt),
allowing you to take all copies of an eligible
permanent from their deck and leave them with a
barren board state.
It has potential, but I think Dromoka's Command
will keep this from being a huge player in the
immediate future.
