Can't decide on a rarity.

This is one of those effects lots of designers make which is subsequently smashed down by everyone else.

Really? I get that it doesn't serve a purpose on its own, but why does it get smashed down? The effect would be broken on any other card, and it is similar to indestructible. I'd like to hear if there are any other arguments, though.

The issue, to me, is that there is almost no way* to get rid of this, and all you invested was one mana. Even if the card is useless by itself, if you turn it into a creature in any number of ways (such as with Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas), it quickly becomes very, very frustrating.

*You could enchant it with Song of the Dryads and then destroy it. There are a few other ways, too.

I will say that you've done a more sensible thing than most people so upon stumbling upon this concept, which was to put it on a "useless" card.

Yeah... but then again, Darksteel Relic already exists.

Thanks for being constructive in your criticism, by the way. I really appreciate it.

Yes, but Darksteel Pendant can be exiled, tucked, bounced, or sacrificed. This can't. I think the only way to get rid of this is by removing its abilities.

That's true, Link. But Darksteel Pendant almost never gets exiled, tucked, bounced or sacrificed. I know people who play with Darksteel Ingot. I've never seen it leave the table after it was cast, and I've never seen that be a 'problem'.

This looks a lot to me like the Homarid Warrior 'problem'. In 1993, Shroud looked crazy. Nowadays, not so much. If there were a number of permanents that couldn't leave the table, but their cost was balanced, people would adapt. Frustrating for some; fun for others.

I don't think this is too strong, but I think it needs to be less narrow -- I agree it might be oppressive on a creature, but maybe a mana-rock or a creature that grants it to another creature. I think it's an interesting ability, but won't see much play on a card by itself, and a two card combo to make an unremovable creature isn't too strong -- it can still be answered by many cards, like pacifism.