Fairly decent removal for mono black. Generally this will either greatly weaken the creature or destroy it, getting around indestructible/regenerate. Plus it's one of the few black removal spells that can target black creatures. Generally, Unmake is better for {3} mana removal but this by no means is a bad card.
I like that it can remain relevant at any point in the game. While not being able to remove something at instant speed is a drawback for black, the ability for this, like Doom Blade, to be relevant at almost any point in the game makes this card great. And, unlike Doom Blade, this can hit anything besides a creature with Protection from Black.
Zulp
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
The flavor text is also extremely badass. I'd call this valuable for its ability to nix black creatures and indestructibles/regenerators. It also has the ability to take a fatty down several notches, making it harmless or nearly so. Not bad. Not game changing, but not bad.
Volcre
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(5 votes)
How's this for a combo: Turn 4: enchant a 4/4 creature with this, it gets -3/-3. Then play a Swamp. And then it dies!
niallcmurray86
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Solid, can help you out in a variety of scenarios.
Vaapadre
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
:) It will kill most anything you equip it to by turn 3 but, if they do not remove it it Gets progressivley stronger as the game progresses. Baneslayer/Platinum Angel/Phylactory Lych/anything without Pro black or shroud is in trouble with this in your deck. And in this case "What doesn't kill ya, makes you weaker :P"
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Though I'd generally prefer Tendrils of Corruption in most scenarios, this is a good bomb killer- powerful late game, kills indestructibles, and if it doesn't remove the target it makes it small.
Sironos
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I use this in sideboard to switch for doom blades when playing against black, it fills that role nicely.
SeiberTross
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Oh I heard you were playing black, lemme just grab that sideboard...
Asmodi0000
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A Baneslayer is still a Baneslayer.
Even if it's a 1/1 itty-bitty baneslayer that dies when you drop another swamp.
In {W}/{B}, this is potentially more useful with Sun Titan than Dead Weight (especially if you've got Orzhov shocklands)
DoragonShinzui
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Kills a lot of things, weakens a lot of other things. Keeps getting more potent as the game progresses. Potential abuse with enchantment retrieval in W/B.
Yeah, I'd say it's a solid card. It may not be Murder, but it can deal with a lot of things Murder can't. Like Indestructible creatures.
Just think, with only 11 swamps, you too can kill a Blightsteel Colossus!
SAUS3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@atemu1234 What Avacyn problems? You can kill her off with many cards - even from her own set. Barter in blood for example will often kill her.
This card is not very good. I think for the way it works, it could have easily been 2 mana. Even 2 black since you need swamps for it to do anything anyway.
Opined_Fluke
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
It's kind of sad that any black removal has to get compared to all stars like Doomblade and Go for the Throat. I really want more of these -x/-x auras with more aggressive costs.
Toquinha1977
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
When playing in Theros standard, this card is very relevant in mono black as Tragic Slip is no longer in the format. Not entirely expected when you slap it on an opponent's formerly indestructible god because it otherwise sees minimal play.
HuntingDrake
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In retrospect, it's surprising that this wasn't printed until afterExotic Curse.
Comments (18)
4/5
I like that it can remain relevant at any point in the game. While not being able to remove something at instant speed is a drawback for black, the ability for this, like Doom Blade, to be relevant at almost any point in the game makes this card great. And, unlike Doom Blade, this can hit anything besides a creature with Protection from Black.
Turn 4: enchant a 4/4 creature with this, it gets -3/-3. Then play a Swamp. And then it dies!
Even if it's a 1/1 itty-bitty baneslayer that dies when you drop another swamp.
Yeah, I'd say it's a solid card. It may not be Murder, but it can deal with a lot of things Murder can't. Like Indestructible creatures.
Just think, with only 11 swamps, you too can kill a Blightsteel Colossus!
What Avacyn problems? You can kill her off with many cards - even from her own set. Barter in blood for example will often kill her.
This card is not very good. I think for the way it works, it could have easily been 2 mana. Even 2 black since you need swamps for it to do anything anyway.