Bitter Triumph MTG Card


Bitter Triumph provides card advantage and graveyard fuel to enhance deck strategies. Instant speed allows response during opponent’s turn for strategic disruption. Discarding and precise mana needs can pose challenges to players.
Bitter Triumph - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set nameThe Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set codeLCI
Number91
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDonato Giancola

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card or pay 3 life. Destroy target creature or planeswalker.

Though he wept at Inti's death, Caparocti's eyes were keen, and his spear pierced cleanly through Clavileño's tainted heart.


Cards like Bitter Triumph

Bitter Triumph introduces a fresh dynamic to the pool of reactive spells in Magic: The Gathering. It stands in line with cards like Fatal Push, which is revered for its ability to cheaply dispose of creatures with low cost or those whose power is recently inflated. Bitter Triumph differs as it targets creatures with power 4 or greater, stripping the battlefield of formidable threats at a pivotal moment. Fatal Push does not cater to this niche, focusing on smaller or tempo-driven targets.

Grasp of Darkness is another card with which Bitter Triumph shares some similarities. Grasp of Darkness can be more versatile, offering a more robust -4/-4 to any creature. While it doesn’t check for power specifically, the requirement for double black mana can be restrictive in some decks. Bitter Triumph, on the other hand, could slide into a wider range of strategies with its single black mana cost, albeit with a more focused purpose. There’s also the consideration of Murderous Rider, a spell offering unconditional creature removal and a creature body in a single card. Its higher mana cost and life payment upon casting, however, make it a choice with a significantly different tempo and strategic impact compared to Bitter Triumph’s efficient specialization.

Overall, Bitter Triumph marks its territory as a niche yet potent removal card, especially against decks running high-power creatures, proving its worth as a selective yet impactful tool in a player’s arsenal.

Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Grasp of Darkness - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Grasp of Darkness - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bitter Triumph by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
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Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
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Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
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Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Soul Rend - MTG Card versions
Wicked Reward - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Bitter Triumph. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Indomitable CreativityIndomitable Creativity ModernIndomitable CreativityModern League 2024-05-18
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardGolgari MidrangeStandard Preliminary 2024-05-17
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires PioneerRakdos VampiresPioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-17
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange PioneerMono-Black MidrangePioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-17
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangePioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-17
Grixis PhoenixGrixis Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-17

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bitter Triumph allows for a subtle boost in hand resources by replacing itself and potentially drawing an additional card, keeping your options plentiful over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card not only impacts the battlefield but also offers a strategic advantage by providing graveyard fuel that can be leveraged for various effects depending on the deck’s mechanics, potentially accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Bitter Triumph offers players the flexibility to respond to their opponent’s actions in a timely manner, possibly disrupting their strategy while advancing your own.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bitter Triumph necessitates a discard from your hand to fulfill its casting requirements. This could be detrimental during gameplay, especially if your hand is already sparse, leaving you at a potential card disadvantage compared to opponents who may be optimizing card retention and hand size for strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Bitter Triumph, you need to allocate a precise configuration of mana. This includes both generic and color-specific mana, which results in a less flexible casting demand. Such specificity can hinder the card’s inclusion in multicolored decks that might struggle with the mana base required to play it on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When analyzed in the context of other cards with similar effects, Bitter Triumph’s casting cost might appear on the higher spectrum. This suggests that your deck could potentially benefit from lower-cost alternatives that perform similar functions without the steep mana investment that Bitter Triumph entails.


Reasons to Include Bitter Triumph in Your Collection

Versatility: Bitter Triumph is a flexible card that can play a role in various decks. Its ability to manipulate the graveyard by exiling cards proves useful in strategies focused on delve, flashback, or other graveyard synergies. As a removal option, it can fit into decks that require efficient ways to deal with opponents’ threats.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique mechanics can work well in combos, particularly in decks that thrive on casting spells from the graveyard or that benefit from each card exiled. It can synergistically enhance decks designed around leveraging exile effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures are pivotal, Bitter Triumph offers a cost-effective solution to eliminate key pieces from an opponent’s board. Its adaptability makes it a respectable choice for sideboards or even main decks, depending on the prevalence of creature-heavy decks in the format.


How to Beat

Bitter Triumph can pose quite the challenge on the battlefield, particularly for players in the MTG arena who enjoy sculpting their game with graveyard tactics. This card is exceptional in disrupting those carefully laid plans, removing graveyards from play and penalizing players for the cards they have lost. However, there are strategies to navigate around its formidable abilities and turn the tides.

One effective method is to limit the number of cards in the graveyard. This can be achieved by employing low-cost creatures and spells that make an immediate impact and don’t linger in your graveyard. Also, consider using artifacts or enchantments like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void that can exile cards as soon as they hit the graveyard, thus nullifying Bitter Triumph’s punishing effect.

Alternatively, instant-speed removal spells that can target and eliminate Bitter Triumph before it has the chance to activate its effect can be a saving grace. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant provide a cost-effective answer to the threat, ensuring that your graveyard remains intact and your game plan uninterrupted.

In essence, while Bitter Triumph has the potential to disrupt strategies centered around the graveyard, a proactive approach that adapts to its presence can ensure your triumph over it in the MTG landscape. By carefully managing your graveyard and keeping removal at the ready, you can mitigate its impact and secure your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

With Bitter Triumph emerging as a versatile staple in MTG strategies, players should not overlook its potential to fine-tune their decks. Its ability to draw cards while fine-tuning the graveyard makes it an appealing option for those looking to maintain hand advantage. Players interested in deepening their understanding of strategic card play can further explore the tactical applications of Bitter Triumph and other graveyard-centric cards. Dive into our extensive content to enhance your deck-building skills, refine your gameplay, and discover how Bitter Triumph can enable triumphs that resonate beyond the tabletop. Unveil the full potential of your MTG deck with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bitter Triumph MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Bitter Triumph and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bitter Triumph has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal