Bile Blight MTG Card
2014-02-07 - Number 61
2022-10-07 - Number 195★
2022-10-07 - Number 195
2002-06-24 - Number 53838
2014-01-01 - Number 8
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -3/-3 until end of turn.
Not an arrow loosed, javelin thrown, nor sword raised. None were needed.
Cards like Bile Blight
Bile Blight sets itself as a potent tool for controlling the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, offering precise eliminations of threats. As a comparison, let’s examine Infest, another black spell infamous for sweeping away creatures with its static -2/-2 effect. However, Bile Blight distinguishes itself with its focus on a single target or multiples of the same creature, perfect for handling token strategies or identical threats.
Looking at another parallel, there’s Grasp of Darkness. This spell offers a steeper -4/-4 to a single creature. It’s laudable for its broader range of creatures it can potentially deal with. Nevertheless, Bile Blight’s unique ability to hit all copies of a creature provides a tactical advantage in particular game scenarios. Then there’s the classic Doom Blade, a straightforward removal but it’s limited by its inability to hit black creatures.
Ultimately, Bile Blight holds a competitive edge as a removal card. It delivers versatility against both singular and widespread threats, effectively countering strategies reliant on creature copies, thus earning its place in black control decks within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Bile Blight by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Bile Blight. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer League 2023-12-07 (1) |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Pioneer | Rakdos Midrange | Sat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bile Blight can efficiently remove multiple threats at once if they share the same name or are token copies, potentially creating a favorable shift in card economy on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana resources, by removing key creatures, Bile Blight can hinder an opponent’s board development, effectively slowing their resource acceleration while maintaining yours.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Bile Blight provides flexibility allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, which can interrupt their strategies or mitigate incoming damage by removing attackers or creatures with triggered abilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Bile Blight doesn’t require a card to be discarded, this is a common con for many spells in a player’s arsenal. Always consider the cards in hand before playing those that do have this requirement to avoid potentially crippling losses.
Specific Mana Cost: Bile Blight’s necessity for two black mana can be restrictive. This might not fit smoothly into multi-colored decks, especially if they struggle to generate enough black mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including two black, Bile Blight can be deemed steep for its effect, particularly when compared to other removal spells in the game. Players might opt for alternatives that offer more flexibility or lower costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Bile Blight is a powerful card that can seamlessly fit into a variety of black decks. With the ability to target multiple creatures with the same name, it offers flexibility in handling token strategies or identical creatures in mirror matches.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with effects that increase spell potency or with cards that benefit from creature deaths, amplifying its impact on the game state and enabling potent combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with aggressive creature-based strategies, Bile Blight excels as a cost-effective removal that can drastically swing the board in your favor, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Bile Blight is a potent tool in Magic: The Gathering, offering players an effective way to clear multiple creatures that share a name. When faced with decks that capitalize on token generation or utilize copies of creatures, Bile Blight can be a game-changer by giving a target creature and its copies -3/-3 until end of turn. Its efficiency in clearing the field or weakening the enemy’s defenses can tilt the battlefield to your advantage.
To outmaneuver Bile Blight, versatility in your own deck is key. Diversifying the threats you deploy denies Bile Blight the opportunity to cripple multiple creatures at once. Implementing sturdy creatures that can survive the -3/-3 reduction is also a beneficial strategy. Moreover, utilizing instant-speed buffs enables you to counteract Bile Blight’s effect, preserving your creatures’ presence on the board. Encountering Bile Blight calls for strategic plays, including keeping a watchful eye on the mana your opponent has available and readying a response in anticipation of this disruptive spell.
Ultimately, while Bile Blight brings undeniable utility, understanding its mechanics and preparing adaptable strategies can help ensure your creatures survive and you maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bile Blight MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Friday Night Magic 2014, 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 Bile Blight and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Bile Blight Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 53838 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | ||
| 2 | Friday Night Magic 2014 | F14 | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | ||
| 3 | 2014-02-07 | Born of the Gods | BNG | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 4 | 2022-10-07 | Warhammer 40,000 Commander | 40K | 195★ | 2015 | Normal | Black | Games Workshop | |
| 5 | 2022-10-07 | Warhammer 40,000 Commander | 40K | 195 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Games Workshop |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bile Blight has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bile Blight card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-02-01 | Bile Blight has only one target. Other creatures with that name are not targeted. For example, a creature with hexproof will still get -3/-3 if it has the same name as the target creature. |
| 2014-02-01 | If the target creature is an illegal target as Bile Blight tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. No creature will get -3/-3. |
| 2022-06-10 | Unless a token is a copy of another permanent or was explicitly given a name by the effect that created it, its name is the subtypes it was given when it was created plus the word "Token." For example, if an effect creates a 1/1 Soldier creature token, that token is named "Soldier Token." |