Eldritch Pact MTG Card


Eldritch Pact brings card advantage through life-for-cards trade, refreshing hands and adapting to the game flow. The requirement to discard and specific mana needs may limit its use in non-black or already strained hands. Deck versatility and meta relevance make Eldritch Pact a strategic choice for certain MTG deck types.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Target player draws X cards and loses X life, where X is the number of cards in their graveyard.

The Night Serpent tasted the warlock's ambition and savored the dark hunger in her soul.


Cards like Eldritch Pact

Eldritch Pact is an intriguing inclusion in Magic: The Gathering for players who dabble in deck manipulation and graveyard mechanics. Its ability to draw three cards at the cost of future life points aligns it with other risk-for-reward spells. Necrologia, for instance, grants card draw proportional to life paid but is restricted to your end step, limiting its flexibility compared to Eldritch Pact’s anytime convenience.

Another similar card is Dark Bargain, which also enables looking at four cards and keeping two, but it’s held back by the condition of placing the others into your graveyard and taking the hit of life loss regardless of the draw. Pain’s Reward sacrifices certainty for bidding dynamics, where players vie for cards but at the potentially steep price of life points – a gamble compared to the assured outcome Eldritch Pact presents.

Looking at both advantages and disadvantages when juxtaposed with its counterparts, Eldritch Pact competes favorably among MTG cards offering strategic depth and life point leverage to wield card advantage against an opponent.

Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Dark Bargain - MTG Card versions
Pain's Reward - MTG Card versions
Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Dark Bargain - MTG Card versions
Pain's Reward - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Eldritch Pact by color, type and mana cost

Vampiric Feast - MTG Card versions
Return of the Nightstalkers - MTG Card versions
Morality Shift - MTG Card versions
Peer into the Abyss - MTG Card versions
Necrotic Hex - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Cabal Conditioning - MTG Card versions
Wit's End - MTG Card versions
Phthisis - MTG Card versions
Plague of Vermin - MTG Card versions
Absorb Vis - MTG Card versions
Repay in Kind - MTG Card versions
Ichor Explosion - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Covenant of Blood - MTG Card versions
Necromantic Selection - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Conscription - MTG Card versions
Behold the Beyond - MTG Card versions
Cruel Entertainment - MTG Card versions
Kindred Dominance - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Feast - MTG Card versions
Return of the Nightstalkers - MTG Card versions
Morality Shift - MTG Card versions
Peer into the Abyss - MTG Card versions
Necrotic Hex - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Cabal Conditioning - MTG Card versions
Wit's End - MTG Card versions
Phthisis - MTG Card versions
Plague of Vermin - MTG Card versions
Absorb Vis - MTG Card versions
Repay in Kind - MTG Card versions
Ichor Explosion - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Covenant of Blood - MTG Card versions
Necromantic Selection - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Conscription - MTG Card versions
Behold the Beyond - MTG Card versions
Cruel Entertainment - MTG Card versions
Kindred Dominance - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eldritch Pact enables a significant card advantage by granting an opportunity to exchange life for robust card draw, ensuring your hand is constantly refreshed to respond to the evolving battlefield dynamics.

Resource Acceleration: This card also facilitates resource acceleration, not only by replenishing your hand but by potentially unlocking synergies with other cards that thrive on a plentiful grip, thus amplifying your capabilities for strategic plays.

Instant Speed: With its instant speed, Eldritch Pact offers the strategic advantage of flexibility, allowing you to adapt to threats in real-time and maximize the impact of your spells, all while managing resources at critical game junctures.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Eldritch Pact mandates that a player discards a card as part of its casting cost. This can put the player at a disadvantage, particularly in situations where hand size is already diminished or where each card in hand is crucial to subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Eldritch Pact requires a precise mana configuration to cast, necessitating both black and generic mana. This requirement can be restrictive for decks that are not aligned with or heavily invested in black mana, reducing its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side relative to other options in the game, Eldritch Pact may not be the most mana-efficient choice for players. Alternative spells or abilities might provide a similar or better effect for less mana, allowing for a more streamlined and effective mana curve in a player’s deck strategy.


Reasons to Include Eldritch Pact in Your Collection

Versatility: Eldritch Pact offers a range of options for deck builders, fitting seamlessly into control or combo-oriented decks that seek card advantage and selective graveyard manipulation.

Combo Potential: This enchantment plays well with cards that thrive on discard or graveyard synergy, setting up powerful interactions that can decisively impact the game’s course.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of graveyard-based strategies in the current meta, Eldritch Pact’s ability to offer both disruption and a potential win condition makes it a tactical addition to any player’s arsenal.


How to beat

Eldritch Pact presents itself as a strategic card in Magic: The Gathering, where decisions made can profoundly influence the outcome of the game. It forces players to either lose half their life or sacrifice three nonland permanents, a choice that can be game-ending if not handled correctly. This unique dynamic sets Eldritch Pact apart from cards without such significant consequences to life or board presence.

To effectively counter this card, conserving your life points and board state becomes critical. Utilize spells like Negate or Dispel that can counteract Eldritch Pact before its effect resolves. Additionally, you may find having a card like Angel’s Grace in your deck beneficial since it can prevent losing the game for a turn, giving you a chance to respond. It’s also worthwhile to capitalize on instant-speed sacrifice effects such as Village Rites, turning the potential setback into an opportunity for card draw and leverage.

Ultimately, when confronted with the potential high costs of Eldritch Pact, the ability to mitigate risks and keep crucial resources intact is key. Careful planning and execution can ensure that what might have been a severe penalty becomes a well-managed aspect of your strategy.


BurnMana Recommendations

Eldritch Pact stands out as a Magic: The Gathering card of great potential for strategic deck building. It navigates the fine line between high-risk and high-reward, offering card advantage that can turn the tide of battle. This instant’s versatility shines in situations where card draw equates to power, particularly for control or combo decks. Looking past its mana cost and casting requisites, the savvy player can exploit Eldritch Pact’s synergy with graveyard mechanics to outmaneuver opponents. Ready to delve deeper and refine your knowledge? Let’s explore the intricacies of effectively wielding Eldritch Pact and integrating it into your winning deck strategies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eldritch Pact MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Baldur's Gate Promos and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Eldritch Pact and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eldritch Pact Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Peter Polach.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Battle for Baldur's Gate PromosPCLB 126s2015NormalBlackPeter Polach
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 5742015NormalBlackPeter Polach
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 1262015NormalBlackPeter Polach
42022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1532015NormalBlackPeter Polach

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eldritch Pact has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal