Blood Bairn MTG Card

Blood Bairn enables powerful graveyard interactions and clever response plays to maximize in-game advantages. It’s a cornerstone for decks utilizing sacrifice mechanics, with potential for combo generation and resource acceleration. Despite certain limitations, its adaptability and relevance in evolving metagames make it a worthy card choice.

Magic 2014 (M14)
2013-07-19 - Number 87

Commander 2015 (C15)
2015-11-13 - Number 117

Commander Anthology (CMA)
2017-06-09 - Number 49

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Vampire
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Sacrifice another creature: Blood Bairn gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

The travelers were warned to watch out for children on the road.

Cards like Blood Bairn

Blood Bairn is a card that presents a very specific role in MTG, offering a handy sacrifice outlet to players. It bears similarity to the likes of Vampire Aristocrat, which also allows its controller to sacrifice a creature for a boost in power. While both have this sacrificial mechanic, Blood Bairn is unique in that it’s not tied to a particular mana cost – a subtle but pivotal difference that can mean more flexibility during gameplay.

A more renowned cousin in this family of cards is Bloodthrone Vampire. It shares the same cost and ability to sacrifice creatures for power, yet Blood Bairn’s ability to add to its power with each sacrifice rather than just once per turn can provide more explosive potential in a single turn. Then, we have Carrion Feeder, an alternative sacrifice outlet with the upside of gaining +1/+1 counters, offering a permanent increase in power, as opposed to the temporary boost from Blood Bairn.

Overall, Blood Bairn might not be the strongest creature in its class, but it asserts itself as a tactical element, especially in decks that capitalize on creature death for triggering pivotal effects and is a feasible choice for those aiming for a strategic advantage in such builds.

Cards similar to Blood Bairn by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blood Bairn’s ability to sacrifice another creature is a powerful outlet to fuel strategies that leverage graveyard interactions or death triggers. By using creatures that either replace themselves or provide additional utility when they leave the battlefield, you can maintain or gain card advantage, making Blood Bairn a lynchpin in such MTG decks.

Resource Acceleration: In combination with undying or persist creatures, Blood Bairn can be part of a loop that generates an exponential amount of power or effects each turn. This synergy drives resource acceleration as the repetitive action can be translated into additional benefits or board presence, allowing you to outpace your opponents.

Instant Speed: While Blood Bairn’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, it does partner well with instant-speed tricks. Being able to sacrifice a creature in response to an opponent’s removal spell means you can turn their plays to your advantage. This strategic depth adds a layer of versatility to your gameplay, keeping opponents guessing and maximizing the impact of your instants.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blood Bairn necessitates a creature sacrifice to activate its ability, potentially depleting your board presence or valuable creature resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Despite being low, the mana cost is color-specific, requiring a dedicated source of black mana, which could be a constraint in multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only three mana to cast, given its ability, other cards might provide similar or better effects with less setup or at a lower cost in terms of overall board impact.

Reasons to Include Blood Bairn in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood Bairn is highly adaptable, fitting seamlessly into various deck archetypes that focus on sacrificing creatures for greater gains. Its ability to bulk up its power makes it a suitable inclusion in aggressive, combo, or aristocrat-style decks.

Combo Potential: With its sacrifice outlet available at no mana cost, Blood Bairn can be a key component in igniting combos. It pairs well with cards generating token creatures or with death-trigger abilities, offering players multiple ways to exploit its mechanic for a strategic advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Blood Bairn holds its own in the shifting sands of the MTG landscape. As the meta evolves to include decks that leverage the graveyard or undervalue their creatures, Blood Bairn can become a surprising powerhouse, turning the tide of the game while synergizing with recurring themes found in current and past sets.

How to beat

Overcoming Blood Bairn in a game of Magic: The Gathering requires a blend of strategy and resource management. This card is particularly potent due to its ability to sacrifice other creatures and grow stronger with each act. To prevail against Blood Bairn, players must prevent it from gaining too much power. Prioritize the removal of low-value creatures to limit sacrificial options. Instant speed removal spells are key, as they can thwart the Bairn’s growth in response to its activated ability.

Keep graveyard recursion in check. Cards that can bring creatures back from the graveyard offer more fuel for Blood Bairn’s ability and a repeated challenge for opponents. Graveyard hate cards, like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, can be effective tools to constrain this synergy. It’s also worth considering the timing of removal spells. Timing these spells just before your turn begins ensures that the window for your opponent to utilize the sacrificed creature’s benefits is minimal.

In essence, disrupting the synergy around Blood Bairn is just as important as dealing with the card itself. Deny your opponent the resources and opportunities to maximize its potential, and you’ll tip the scales in your favor during the duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood Bairn MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Commander 2015, 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 Blood Bairn and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Blood Bairn Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2013-07-19	Magic 2014	M14	87	2003	Normal	Black	Ryan Yee
2	2015-11-13	Commander 2015	C15	117	2015	Normal	Black	Ryan Yee
3	2017-06-09	Commander Anthology	CMA	49	2015	Normal	Black	Ryan Yee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Bairn has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal