Barter in Blood MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 57
2009-04-10 - Number 52
2011-05-14 - Number 76
2012-05-04 - Number 85
2014-12-05 - Number 52
2015-11-13 - Number 115
2016-02-26 - Number 52
2017-06-09 - Number 48
2020-07-17 - Number 202
2023-03-21 - Number 25
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Each player sacrifices two creatures.
"In the game of conquest, who cares about the pawns if the king yet reigns?" —Geth, keeper of the Vault
Cards like Barter in Blood
Barter in Blood is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that forces each player to sacrifice two creatures. Its strength lies in its ability to shift the battlefield’s balance, particularly when an opponent has a superior creature presence. As we look at comparable cards, Innocent Blood emerges as a notable one. This card also compels each player to sacrifice a creature but only requires a single creature and costs less mana. However, the impact of Innocent Blood is less substantial when facing multiple threats.
Moving to another similar card, we encounter Smallpox. This multifaceted spell not only causes each player to sacrifice a creature but also discard a card, lose life, and sacrifice a land. Its diverse effects can dismantle an opponent’s strategy across multiple resources. While Smallpox’s initial impact is less focused on the creature aspect than Barter in Blood, it disrupts opponents on a broader spectrum and at a lower mana cost.
Delving into these comparisons, Barter in Blood stands out for its strong crowd control in games. Its ability to clear out pairs of creatures from the battlefield elevates it to be an especially compelling choice in decks that can mitigate or take advantage of the high sacrifice requirement.
Cards similar to Barter in Blood by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Barter in Blood. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jund Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 3 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Barter in Blood is adept at creating card advantage by compelling each player to sacrifice two creatures. In a carefully constructed deck, this can disproportionately affect your opponent, stripping away their key pieces while leaving your position intact or even stronger if you’ve planned for such an eventuality.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, Barter in Blood can serve as resource acceleration by clearing the board of potential blockers or threats. This, in turn, accelerates your path to victory by allowing your remaining creatures to strike through or leverage board control into turns where you can deploy your hand more freely.
Instant Speed: Although Barter in Blood operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game can be as significant as that of an instant. By timing the spell after your opponent has overcommitted to the board or before you unveil your game-changing creatures, you ensure maximum benefit and disrupt your opponent’s plans at a crucial moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Barter in Blood does not require a discard, it necessitates each player to sacrifice two creatures which can be particularly detrimental if you’re ahead on the board or rely on a key creature for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination to cast: two black, which might not be seamlessly integrated into decks that aren’t heavily focused on black mana or multicolored decks that stretch resources thin across various mana needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana to play, Barter in Blood may come into action later than desired. Given that tempo is crucial in many games, the cost sets a pace that might not align with aggressive or fast playstyles, and more efficient creature removal options might be available at a lower cost point.
Reasons to Include Barter in Blood Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Barter in Blood is a potent inclusion in decks that aim to control the board. Its ability to force each player to sacrifice two creatures can shift the tide of the game, especially in formats where creatures play a central role.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on death triggers or benefit from having creatures in the graveyard, amplifying its impact beyond the initial two-for-two trade.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by creature-centric decks, Barter in Blood rises as a crucial answer to swarm strategies and can effectively deal with hexproof or indestructible threats that are otherwise difficult to remove.
How to beat
Barter in Blood is a challenging hurdle to overcome for players who rely on creating a wide board presence with creatures. This sorcery forces each player to sacrifice two creatures, which can drastically alter the battlefield dynamic. To effectively navigate around Barter in Blood, maintaining a reserve of creature tokens or expendable creatures is key. This strategy ensures that when the card is played, the impact on your side is minimized.
An alternative tactic is utilizing instant-speed spells or abilities that can either counter the spell or sacrifice creatures for a benefit in response. Holding up mana for such interactions can provide a safety net against this destructive card. Additionally, having a robust creature with indestructible or protection from black attributes could nullify Barter in Blood’s potential blow to your gameplay. Understanding when to commit creatures to the board versus when to hold back is an essential skill in predicting and thwarting your opponent’s attempt at using Barter in Blood to their advantage.
Deck strategies that function well with fewer creatures or rely on non-creature spells are inherently less susceptible to disturbance by Barter in Blood. Therefore, crafting your playing style and deck composition with resilience in mind will keep you one step ahead of this powerful clearing card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barter in Blood MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic, 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 Barter in Blood and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Barter in Blood Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 57 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 52 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 3 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 76 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 4 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 85 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 5 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 6 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 7 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 8 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 9 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 202 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 10 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barter in Blood has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barter in Blood card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | Barter in Blood doesn’t target any creatures and may be cast even if a player controls fewer than two creatures. |
| 2012-05-01 | If a player controls only one creature, that creature is sacrificed. |
| 2012-05-01 | The active player chooses which creatures will be sacrificed first, then each other player in turn order does the same. Then all creatures are sacrificed simultaneously. |