Bereavement MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 117
2001-04-11 - Number 120★
2001-04-11 - Number 120
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever a green creature is put into a graveyard from play, its controller chooses and discards a card.
"Grief is as useless as love." —Gix, Yawgmoth praetor
Cards like Bereavement
Bereavement enters the wide array of enchantments in Magic: The Gathering that focus on the strategic downside of your opponent’s moves. It shares a common theme with cards like Mind Rot, which forces opponents to discard cards, adding a psychological aspect to the game. Bereavement, however, has a unique trigger – it activates when a green creature dies, thus specifically targeting decks rich in green creatures and adding a layer of control to your strategy.
Another intriguing resemblance can be found in Tormod’s Crypt, a one-shot graveyard removal artifact. While Tormod’s Crypt purges the graveyard entirely, Bereavement selectively punishes those who lose their green creatures. This selective aspect can be critical for shutting down green-based recursion strategies, where every creature hitting the graveyard could come back to haunt you. Additionally, there is Leyline of the Void, which has a broader effect, exiling any card that goes to a graveyard from anywhere, preempting strategies that rely on graveyard interaction altogether.
Ultimately, Bereavement stands as a tactical tool in a player’s arsenal, especially useful when knowing you’ll face creature-heavy decks with an emphasis on green. Its ability to disrupt opponent’s plans while remaining on the battlefield makes it a nuanced choice for players who value long-term battlefield control.
Cards similar to Bereavement by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bereavement grants the player a tool to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by compelling them to discard when their creatures die. This can lead to a significant advantage as the player can systematically whittle down the resources in their opponent’s hand, ensuring a stronger position in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana production, Bereavement can indirectly accelerate resources. By causing opponents to discard, it slows down their game plan, allowing the user more time to develop their board and utilize their mana more efficiently.
Instant Speed: As Bereavement activates at an instant speed, it provides a great deal of flexibility in gameplay. It allows players to wait for the opportune moment to enforce a discard, such as after an opponent draws or when they are relying on a specific creature card’s survival, thus maximizing the potential impact on the opponent’s game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Bereavement requires players to discard a card when they want to utilize it. This can prove to be detrimental to your hand, particularly in tight situations where card advantage is critical. Ensuring you have ample resources to afford this cost is key, yet not always feasible during heated matches.
Specific Mana Cost: Bereavement demands a precise mana setup to cast, necessitating both black mana and sufficient lands to meet its cost. This specificity potentially limits the card’s versatility, confining it to decks that can reliably provide black mana without disrupting their mana curve or game plan.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for the impact it provides, Bereavement can be a less attractive option when matched against other cards with similar or lower costs. Deck builders often weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio heavily, and in a game where efficiency is paramount, Bereavement might not make the cut in favor of more economically viable options.
Reasons to Include Bereavement in Your Collection
Versatility: Bereavement is a card that can easily slot into various decks, particularly those with an emphasis on graveyard tactics. Its ability to punish opponents for creature losses makes it a flexible addition, capable of applying pressure in a myriad of game situations.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with effects that force opponents to sacrifice creatures or when creatures die regularly, such as in a black-based control or sacrifice deck, enhancing its overall synergy within such strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the meta that often features creature-based strategies, Bereavement serves as an efficient tool to gain an advantage. It’s particularly potent against decks that rely on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield frequently.
How to beat
Bereavement is an intriguing enchantment in the world of MTG that can give players an edge over opponents who favor green creatures. Every time a green creature heads to the graveyard, the enchantment forces the creature’s controller to discard a card from their hand. This can quickly deplete an opponent’s resources, tipping the scales in the enchantment’s controller’s favor.
To effectively counter Bereavement, consider altering your deck to minimize the impact of this card. Implementing cards that grant hexproof to your creatures can prevent them from being targeted and thus protect them from being sent to the graveyard. Another strategy is to employ cards that allow you to draw more cards, thereby replenishing your hand and negating the discard effect of Bereavement. Additionally, including cards that can destroy enchantments or that offer graveyard retrieval can help mitigate the disruption caused by Bereavement.
Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of your deck and foreseeing potential threats such as Bereavement enables you to tailor your strategy accordingly, ensuring that this particular enchantment doesn’t become the linchpin of your demise during gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bereavement MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Seventh Edition, 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 Bereavement 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 Bereavement Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 117 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Andrew Goldhawk | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 120★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Marc Fishman | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 120 | 1997 | Normal | White | Marc Fishman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bereavement has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bereavement card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If the player has no cards in hand, this has no effect. |