Blood Reckoning MTG Card

Impactful deterrent effect influences opponents to reconsider attacks, shifting game dynamics in your favor. Although not accelerating resources directly, it conserves them by reducing combat pressure and damage taken. Permits strategic resource retention as it doesn’t necessitate discarding, maintaining your hand’s strength.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	2012-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2013
Set code	M13
Number	81
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Text of card

Whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, that creature's controller loses 1 life.

"There is no greater folly than standing against me." —Nicol Bolas

Cards like Blood Reckoning

Blood Reckoning is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, creating a powerful deterrent against attackers. It’s akin to cards like Hissing Miasma in the way that it penalizes opponents for each creature that swings your way. However, Blood Reckoning has the edge by affecting each attacking creature, not just those aimed squarely at you. This shifts the dynamics during multiplayer games, where opponents must think twice before launching an all-out assault.

Marching closer in effect, we have Revenge of Ravens. While this card also makes opponents lose life for attacking, it simultaneously gains you life, which could be a crucial difference in a drawn-out match. Additionally, Blood Reckoning’s strict focus on life loss can be seen as more potent in decks designed to keep your life total low for specific strategy purposes, compared to life gain effects.

To summarize, Blood Reckoning stands out in MTG for its ability to influence combat decisions. It may not have the life-gaining advantage of Revenge of Ravens, but its specific role in multiple-player scenarios and synergy with other strategy elements make it a compelling choice for players looking to fortify their defenses against aggressive strategies.

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

Feast of the Unicorn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Blood Reckoning doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its presence deters opponents from attacking, potentially giving you a lasting advantage as it influences their game decisions.

Resource Acceleration: While Blood Reckoning itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its ability discourages opponents from engaging in combat. This potential reduction in pressure on your life total can conserve resources for more crucial plays, indirectly influencing your resource allocation.

Instant Speed: Blood Reckoning functions as a constant deterrent at enchantment speed, which means its effect lasts beyond just a single turn. Its passive ability can hinder an opponent’s strategy at any time, saving your instant-speed responses for more pressing threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blood Reckoning does not specifically necessitate discarding cards, thus this particular disadvantage does not apply, allowing you to maintain your hand’s resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Blood Reckoning’s casting cost demands a single black mana, potentially restricting its integration into multicolor decks that may not prioritize or easily access black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 3 generic and 1 black mana, the card may be perceived as a steep investment for the deterrent effect it provides. Especially in quicker formats, players may opt for lower-cost alternatives to disrupt aggressive strategies more efficiently.

Reasons to Include Blood Reckoning in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood Reckoning is an enchantment that can be slipped into various deck types, particularly those that aim to control the board and prolong the game. Its ability to deter attacks by costing opponents life each time they swing can be universally useful.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that focus on punishing opponents for taking certain actions. Used in conjunction with other deterrents or damage triggers, it contributes to an effective strategy that can lock down opponents’ creatures and secure your victory.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment with aggressive creature-based strategies, Blood Reckoning becomes an effective tool. It not only dissuades opponents from attacking but also chips away at their life totals over time, tilting the scales in your favor with each assault they consider.

How to Beat Blood Reckoning

Blood Reckoning presents a defensive challenge in MTG, deterring attacks by making opponents pay for each assailing creature. To navigate this roadblock, focus on non-combat strategies or employ creatures with abilities that negate life loss effects, such as those with lifelink. Spells like Erebos, God of the Dead, which prevent life gain, don’t exactly bypass Blood Reckoning but affect the overall strategy of an opponent relying on life-based mechanics.

Another approach is utilizing removal cards to dispatch Blood Reckoning directly. Disenchant and Naturalize serve as straightforward answers to enchantments, while cards like Mortify broaden your scope to include creature threats. For those preferring subtlety, consider using blue’s counter spells to prevent Blood Reckoning from hitting the field in the first place; Counterspell and Negate epitomize this preemptive strike philosophy.

The essential strategy is to recognize the game’s current pace and adapt accordingly. Focusing on spells that either counteract or circumvent Blood Reckoning’s effects can maintain your momentum and preserve your life total while dictating the flow of the match in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood Reckoning MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013, 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 Reckoning and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Reckoning has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blood Reckoning card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2012-07-01	Blood Reckoning will trigger once for each creature that attacks you or a planeswalker you control.
2012-07-01	Creatures that are put onto the battlefield attacking were never declared as attackers and won’t cause Blood Reckoning to trigger.