Tyrant's Choice MTG Card


The card offers benefits whether the opponent chooses Tribute or Pain, leading to potential card advantage. Tyrant’s Choice fits well in black mana-heavy decks, though its specific mana cost can be restrictive. It’s a powerful asset in decision-based meta, thriving in aggressive and combo-oriented strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Will of the council

Text of card

Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for death or torture. If death gets more votes, each opponent sacrifices a creature. If torture gets more votes or the vote is tied, each opponent loses 4 life.


Cards like Tyrant's Choice

Tyrant’s Choice stands out in the MTG universe as a dynamic option within the suite of modal spells. This card echoes the utility seen in other voting cards like Council’s Judgment by allowing players to influence the game’s outcome through choices. However, Tyrant’s Choice is unique with its strict dichotomy of life loss or creature defeat, a taxing decision for opponents that can fit neatly into black’s strategy of attrition.

Comparably, Exquisite Blood is another card that manipulates life totals, but it functions passively, reacting to life changes rather than aggressively dictating them. Dash Hopes provides a similar psychological play, where opponents must choose between allowing a spell to resolve or suffering life loss. Yet, Tyrant’s Choice offers more direct control with guaranteed damage or board impact, making it a potentially more predictable play. In addition, its low mana cost makes Tyrant’s Choice a nimble option for players seeking immediate results. Compared to its counterparts, it’s the swiftness and the stark ‘choose your own demise’ aspect that carve its niche within MTG’s black card lineup.

When analyzing Tyrant’s Choice amongst its peers, its place in black’s arsenal is quite pronounced — offering a decisive and potentially game-ending demand on opponents in a compact and cost-effective package.

Council's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Exquisite Blood - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Council's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Exquisite Blood - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tyrant's Choice by color, type and mana cost

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Drain Life - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sinkhole - MTG Card versions
Word of Binding - MTG Card versions
Soul Exchange - MTG Card versions
Dry Spell - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Knives - MTG Card versions
Shattered Crypt - MTG Card versions
Disturbed Burial - MTG Card versions
Death Stroke - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Imperial Edict - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Decompose - MTG Card versions
Chainer's Edict - MTG Card versions
Walk the Plank - MTG Card versions
Predators' Hour - MTG Card versions
Nausea - MTG Card versions
Stitch Together - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Tyrant's Choice. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BB PauperPauper League 2024-04-18
Mono-Black BurnMono-Black Burn PauperBlack BurnPauper League 2023-12-06
Black BurnBlack Burn PauperBlack BurnMonthly Tournament #34
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists PauperBlack BurnNacional Pauper 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tyrant’s Choice shines by placing the decision in the hands of the opponents, but ultimately providing benefit to you regardless of their choice. This dynamic can disrupt opponents while you likely gain card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Tyrant’s Choice doesn’t directly ramp, the card can accelerate your game plan by forcing losses through its Tribute or Pain options. This helps in wearing down resources of the opposing side, aligning well with aggressive strategies.

Instant Speed: Although the card is a sorcery, its potent effects at a low mana cost make it a solid inclusion in decks, allowing for quick shifts in gameplay. The immediate impact it delivers upon casting can be considered as valuable as instant speed plays in certain scenarios.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While playing Tyrant’s Choice in your game, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads if your hand is already short on cards. Requiring a discard to enact its will of the council ability can be quite the downside when your arsenal is dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Tyrant’s Choice calls for a precise mana alignment to cast – two black mana. This can prove restrictive as it pigeonholes the card into decks that heavily feature black mana or at least a substantial amount capable of consistently generating it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana might seem fair for its potential impact, but when you’re threading the needle between efficiency and effect, other options might tip the scales. Considering your mana investment, the payoff from Tyrant’s Choice becomes questionable when you could be advancing your board state or securing your defenses with alternative spells.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tyrant’s Choice enhances any black-aligned deck focused on decision-driven mechanics or player dilemma. Its ability to navigate through opponents’ strategies makes it a unique inclusion in versatile builds.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combo setups, working well alongside cards that benefit from loss of life or voting mechanics. It’s also a fine piece in decks that use death triggers or sacrifice themes to gain the upper hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where choices can dictate the pace of the game, Tyrant’s Choice plays a significant role. It applies pressure in aggressive strategies and can tip the scales in games where small life point adjustments lead to big impacts.


How to beat

Tyrant’s Choice brings to the table an intriguing mechanic known as ‘Will of the Council,’ providing players with a deceptive layer of control in Magic: The Gathering. Players are given a choice between two harmful options, but the card’s strength can be mitigated with smart play. The effects of Tyrant’s Choice could be brutal, but remember that the ill effects target only one player, which can be advantageous in multiplayer games.

How do you ensure your opponents are the ones feeling the heat? Running counter-spells or cards that give you hexproof can help shield you from the choice altogether. This means that having disruption ready can turn the tides, rendering the card’s potent decision-making aspect ineffective. Cards such as Leyline of Sanctity can be vital in this scenario or when going against a slew of other ‘Will of the Council’ cards. Staying one step ahead in the strategy game will keep you in command and your life total safe from the tyrant’s grim options.

Moreover, don’t underestimate the power of political play in MTG—if you can influence your opponents’ choices, you may turn what seems like a stark decision into an opportunity. So, the key here is preparation and influence—ensure your deck can handle such choices or sway the council to your side, and Tyrant’s Choice can be beaten.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on the strategic pathways of MTG is an ongoing quest for dominance and control, and Tyrant’s Choice is one of those cards that commands attention. Understanding its potential and drawbacks is only the beginning. This card has a place in both your black-aligned arsenal and broader gameplay strategies. For players eager to dive deeper and refine their approach, continuing your exploration of MTG is essential. Discover synergy, optimize your decks, and outmaneuver opponents with smart selections. Immerse yourself further into the world of MTG with us and enhance your understandings to conquer your next clash with confidence.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tyrant's Choice MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy and Vintage Masters, 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 Tyrant's Choice and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tyrant's Choice Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-06-06 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Daarken.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 302003NormalBlackDaarken
22014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1432015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tyrant's Choice has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tyrant's Choice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-05-29 Because the votes are cast in turn order, each player will know the votes of players who voted beforehand.
2014-05-29 If death gets more votes, each opponent chooses and sacrifices a creature they control. None of these creatures are targeted. An opponent could sacrifice a creature with protection from black, for example.
2014-05-29 No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
2014-05-29 Players can’t do anything after they finishing voting but before the spell or ability that included the vote finishes resolving.
2014-05-29 The phrase “the vote is tied” refers only to when there is more than one choice that received the most votes. For example, if a 5-player vote from among three different choices ends 3 votes to 1 vote to 1 vote, the vote isn’t tied.
2014-05-29 You must vote for one of the available options. You can’t abstain.