Blood Oath MTG Card

Blood Oath offers card advantage and resource acceleration, boosting strategic plays and game momentum. Instant speed allows for flexible reactions during a game, but it commands a significant mana cost. Powerful in the right deck, it requires careful hand management to mitigate its possible impact.

Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
1999-10-04 - Number 177

Blood Oath - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)

World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
2001-08-08 - Number jt177sb

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant

Text of card

Choose a card type. Target opponent reveals his or her hand. Blood Oath deals 3 damage to that player for each card of the chosen type revealed this way. (The card types are artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land, and sorcery.)

Cards like Blood Oath

Blood Oath’s unique effect of punishing opponents based on their hand makes it stand out in the arsenal of MTG sorceries. It draws parallels with Mindclaw Shaman, which, while differently, also capitalizes on an opponent’s hand by allowing you to cast a free spell from it. Blood Oath, however, deals direct damage corresponding to the number and type of cards in your opponents’ grips.

Another comparable card is Sudden Impact, which works on a similar mechanic—dealing damage reflective of the number of cards in an opponent’s hand. Unlike Blood Oath, Sudden Impact is not concerned with card types, making it more straightforward but potentially less punishing. Skull Rend also enters the fray, inflicting both damage to an opponent and causing card loss, though it does not share Blood Oath’s strategic variability.

Ultimately, Blood Oath provides a blend of surprise and strategy that rewards players for keeping tabs on opponents’ hand contents. Within the realm of MTG, it finds its niche as a tool for hand manipulation and an aggressive damage dealer.

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

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the most compelling features of the Blood Oath card is its ability to potentially draw multiple cards. This not only replenishes your hand but also gives you a wider range of strategic options, keeping you ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Blood Oath can accelerate your resources by generating an effect based on the number of certain types of spells you or your opponent has cast. This feature can tip the scales in your favor, providing a burst of momentum when you need it most.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Blood Oath at instant speed grants exceptional flexibility. It allows tactical responses to opponents’ actions, keeping them guessing and enabling you to make optimal plays without telegraphing your strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blood Oath requires you to part with a card from your hand, which could be a strategic setback, especially when your hand size is already diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that necessitates a mix of generic and red mana, this card may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, potentially hindering its inclusion in varied strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Blood Oath is quite significant when you compare it to other options in the same mana range. Players may find that its effect does not measure up favorably with other cards that can be played at a similar cost.

Reasons to Include Blood Oath in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood Oath is a flexible card that finds a place in a multitude of deck types. Its ability to target any type of nonland permanent makes it adaptable for various game scenarios, offering removal options to a strategist’s toolbox.

Combo Potential: The card harmonizes well with decks designed around spell synergies or damage amplification. Deck builders can maximize combo potential and craft game-ending sequences by exploiting its damage-dealing capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that sees frequent use of multi-colored or permanents-heavy decks, Blood Oath’s efficiency can drastically shift the tides of power, making it a poignant choice for players aiming to stay one step ahead in the current meta.

How to beat

Blood Oath is a potent MTG card that can inflict severe damage based on the kinds of cards held by an opponent. This card’s strength is notable for potentially turning the tides in your favor during the late game. When facing this card, it’s essential to manage your hand smartly. Cards that allow you to reveal or discard from your hand selectively, like Thoughtseize or Duress, can lessen the impact of a Blood Oath play. Control the game’s pace and the size of your hand if you suspect an opponent may cast Blood Oath.

Strategically, if Blood Oath is a concern, you could focus on diversifying the card types in your deck. This reduces the potential damage since Blood Oath counts the number of cards that share a type with the revealed card. A varied deck makes it less likely for Blood Oath to hit a large cluster of similar cards. Having instant speed removal or counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can be crucial. Being able to stop Blood Oath before its effect triggers can save you from a sudden loss.

Lastly, it’s worth keeping an eye on graveyard interaction. If your deck has ways to manipulate or exile cards from the graveyard, you can diminish the effect of Blood Oath when it relies on elements from the graveyard. In sum, a good defense against this card involves preemptive hand management, deck diversity, and strategic spell casting to nullify its potentially devastating blow.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood Oath MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Oath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blood Oath Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2001-08-08. Illustrated by Mike Ploog.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-10-04	Mercadian Masques	MMQ		177	1997	Normal	Black	Mike Ploog
2	2001-08-08	World Championship Decks 2001	WC01		jt177sb	1997	Normal	Gold	Mike Ploog

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Oath has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal