Do battlefield effects like Void Gate work even if you don't control it?

Ruling: Battlefield effects are symmetric and affect both players equally at all times, regardless of who controls the battlefield. The controller of the battlefield controls its abilities, but the abilities still trigger for non-controlling players.

Nuances:

  • Whether a battlefield ability requires control depends on whether the ability text references "you" (the controller). Void Gate has no such reference, so it works for both players.
  • A recent patch clarified that control of a battlefield establishes control of its abilities, but this doesn't prevent non-controllers from being affected by or utilizing those abilities.
  • Example: Icathian Rain targeting units on an opponent-controlled Void Gate would deal 6x3 damage.