What it does
Betrayal is a brand-new keyword introduced in the Marvel's Spider-Man set. A permanent with betrayal gives you a benefit when an opponent's creature attacks you (or a planeswalker/battle you control)—essentially rewarding you for being the target of aggression. The exact trigger reads "Whenever one or more creatures an opponent controls attack you or a permanent you control, [effect]."
The nuance people miss: it triggers off the declaration of attackers, not damage, so it works even if those attackers are later blocked, removed, or killed before combat damage. It also typically triggers only once per combat regardless of how many attackers come at you, not once per creature.
In Commander, betrayal shines because you're usually facing three opponents, so you'll see attacks frequently. It punishes opponents for swinging at you and can incentivize the table to redirect aggression elsewhere—a subtle political tool alongside its raw value.
Iconic cards with Betrayal
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