What it does
Cloak takes a card and turns it face-down as a 2/2 creature with no name, types, or abilities—just like manifest. The difference is that a cloaked card can be turned face up at any time for its mana cost if it's a creature card. Unlike manifest, you typically don't know what's underneath, because cloak usually grabs cards from the top of your library or exiled cards rather than ones you've seen.
The nuance people miss: you can only flip a cloaked permanent face up if the card underneath is a creature card. Non-creature cards stay stuck as 2/2s forever. Also, turning face up isn't casting a spell—it doesn't use the stack and can't be countered.
In Commander, cloak generates surprise blockers and disguises value cards, and pairs well with face-down "matters" synergies and effects that flip multiple permanents at once.
Iconic cards with Cloak
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