It's somewhat better with Bloodthirst around (though it's pretty inefficient to let activate your bloodthirst). Nice finisher, but I still prefer Corrupt
I really think a lot of people underestimate the usefulness of this card. I can't tell you how many times I've used it (Drain Life I mean) to get rid of a pesky 1/1 or 2/2 creature with some crazy ability early game because I just didn't happen to have a straight kill spell in my hand, or didn't want to use it (destroy effects are obsiously more powerful than just damage). And you gain some life in the process. Can also be a great finisher when you have 7 or 8 swamps on the baord.
Also, I just noticed, this is actually a little better than it's OG dad, it doesn't have the life gaining restirction limit, so if you have it, and have no other better use for your mana, you can slap a 2/2 creature for 5 or 6 damage and still gain 5 or 6 life. Sweet.
Tommy9898
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
I prefer this to corrupt. It always felt wrong using corrupt to kill that small flier that is about to kill you when you feel that such an expensive card should only be used to kill giant rares, or players. This one gives you flexibility to use it earlier on problem creatures. Also, it only needs black mana while corrupt needs basic swamps. So you can happily use this in a multicolor deck that has lots of black dual lands.
BastianQoU
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I prefer Exsanguinate, even though it can't target creatures. Having a doom blade with 'gain x life' doesn't excite me too much. Still a better-than-decent card. 3.5/5
Enemy_Tricolor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I prefer Exsanguinate, even though it can't target creatures. Having a doom blade with 'gain x life' doesn't excite me too much. Still a better-than-decent card. 3.5/5
Comparing this straight-up to Exsanguinate doesn't make a lot of sense to me. This one is a creature kill/lifegain in a pinch/possible finisher, while Exsanguinate is a multiplayer/lifegain in a pinch/possible finisher. There's some overlap, but what card you'll want to use is really dependent on the situation.
Ironically, Exsanguinate is more splashable.
TherealphatMatt
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A lot of times I've had this basically play as an expensive Shock in black that gives me a bit of life. But on the flipside I've won a couple of games with it, too, so it's worth including if you're just looking to have some fun.
ObsceneMartyr
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Welcome back old friend. Let me just pull all four of you out of the stack of cards that I knew would come back into the mix in time. Yes, Nocturnus is in it. No, I don't know what I'm thinking.
Lief098
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love this card. I'll usually use it over Corrupt as a finisher, if only because it works with things like Cabal Coffers, Bubbling Muck, and Nirkana Revenant. In a multiplayer match, I'll use Exsanguinate instead, but I prefer Consume Spirit in a duel because it can be used as a creature kill spell in a pinch.
I have no qualms about using this to smack down some annoying 1 or 2 toughness creatures. This is easy enough to pick up multiples in draft thanks to the color commitment.
ZakFrost
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I usually look more at the card itself, and I do like this card, but god damn do I love that flavor text.
Xoia
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This plus Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth and Nirkana Revenant in a black/green deck with alot of land untap creatures.
wholelottalove
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
There is not such thing as a basic swamp, there are swamps. There might be lands which have swamp as the subtype but those are not swamps.
Also this card is only good when you have tons of black mana. Not to be obvious but that's a big drawback.
TheWrathofShane
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I like corrupt better, but this is relevant more early on. Can take out smaller creatures if needed..
Dienomite807
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I almost hate to say it, but I think Liliana of the Dark Realms actually made this a legitimate win condition. If, that is, you manage to run out of removal to clear the way for your shades. In a mono-black deck......
Arachnos
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Sorin Markov: expert badass.
LawdInfamous
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This has got to be one of my all time fav black spells. I run these in a mono black vampire deck with dark rituals bubbling muck and nirkana revenant. (wish i had cabal coffers.) In the right deck this can definatly win games. With authority.
Comments (20)
I really think a lot of people underestimate the usefulness of this card. I can't tell you how many times I've used it (Drain Life I mean) to get rid of a pesky 1/1 or 2/2 creature with some crazy ability early game because I just didn't happen to have a straight kill spell in my hand, or didn't want to use it (destroy effects are obsiously more powerful than just damage). And you gain some life in the process. Can also be a great finisher when you have 7 or 8 swamps on the baord.
Also, I just noticed, this is actually a little better than it's OG dad, it doesn't have the life gaining restirction limit, so if you have it, and have no other better use for your mana, you can slap a 2/2 creature for 5 or 6 damage and still gain 5 or 6 life. Sweet.
Also, it only needs black mana while corrupt needs basic swamps. So you can happily use this in a multicolor deck that has lots of black dual lands.
Comparing this straight-up to Exsanguinate doesn't make a lot of sense to me. This one is a creature kill/lifegain in a pinch/possible finisher, while Exsanguinate is a multiplayer/lifegain in a pinch/possible finisher. There's some overlap, but what card you'll want to use is really dependent on the situation.
Ironically, Exsanguinate is more splashable.
Also this card is only good when you have tons of black mana. Not to be obvious but that's a big drawback.
If, that is, you manage to run out of removal to clear the way for your shades. In a mono-black deck......