Blood Tyrant MTG Card
2009-02-06 - Number 99
2016-11-11 - Number 183
2017-06-16 - Number 81
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Flying,Trample |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying, trample At the beginning of your upkeep, each player loses 1 life. Put a +1/+1 counter on Blood Tyrant for each 1 life lost this way. Whenever a player loses the game, put five +1/+1 counters on Blood Tyrant.
Cards like Blood Tyrant
Blood Tyrant is an intriguing creature card that finds its roots among the powerful vampires in Magic: The Gathering. It bears some resemblance to Demandred, which also provides benefits at each end step. Where Blood Tyrant excels is in its ability to grow stronger with +1/+1 counters every time it feeds on an opponent’s life, a trait not shared with Demandred.
Considering other similar cards, one might look at Sengir Vampire for its ability to become more formidable with every creature it destroys, although it lacks the end step growth mechanic. Consecrated Sphinx is another card that draws a comparison, with the advantage of doubling your draw potential when an opponent draws cards, yet it does not possess the sheer aggressive nature of Blood Tyrant.
In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering creatures, Blood Tyrant earns its notoriety by combining multiple benefits: it rewards players for both offensive strikes and situational awareness at the end step. Thus it holds a distinctive position, marking its impact in both multiplayer and one-on-one formats.
Cards similar to Blood Tyrant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blood Tyrant offers a persistent threat that grows stronger over time, effectively granting you a card advantage as your opponents have to deal with an increasingly dangerous creature. By consistently drawing attention and resources, it keeps you ahead on board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable vampire dragon provides an automatic boost at each end step, making it a powerhouse in any resource acceleration strategy. It thrives in decks that aim to outpace the opponent by ramping up the availability of quality threats.
Instant Speed: While Blood Tyrant itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to benefit from the actions taken at instant speed by other players during their turns makes it a relentless force. Every round of untapped mana and end step actions can translate into more counters and increased power for the Tyrant, bolstering it indirectly through the dynamics of instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the potential drawbacks for Blood Tyrant players is the card synergy that demands discarding, which can be counterproductive when your hand is lacking options. This forces players to weigh the benefits of keeping Blood Tyrant on the field against the cost of depleting their in-hand arsenal.
Specific Mana Cost: Blood Tyrant requires a very particular mana arrangement to play, demanding one black, one red, one blue, and three other mana. This makes it a card with a restricted capacity to fit into multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility in play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, Blood Tyrant enters the battlefield later than many other powerful creatures and demands a substantial investment of resources. This cost can slow down your game, leaving you vulnerable as you prepare to unleash its power.
Reasons to Include Blood Tyrant in Your Collection
Versatility: Blood Tyrant offers flexibility to your gameplay, thriving in various deck archetypes that benefit from an ever-growing threat. Its ability to gain +1/+1 counters each end step makes it a formidable presence in multiplayer formats where multiple opponents mean multiple growth opportunities.
Combo Potential: With each opponent’s end step nurturing it, Blood Tyrant can quickly become the core of powerful combos. In addition, it synergizes with effects that care about life total changes or creature size, expanding its integration into diverse strategies.
Meta-Relevance: As games tend to run longer in commander and multiplayer environments, Blood Tyrant becomes increasingly relevant. Its ability to pressure opponents and influence life totals can shift the tide of any match, making it a valuable asset against various meta-game landscapes.
How to beat
Blood Tyrant is an imposing creature that thrives in multiplayer formats, rewarding you as your opponents lose ground. It grows stronger with each end step, gaining counters as any player’s turn ends when they have ten or less life. However, facing this behemoth is not a hopeless endeavor.
Direct methods of removal such as Path to Exile or Terminate can efficiently handle Blood Tyrant. Counterspells can also be effective; nipping the threat in the bud before it lands on the battlefield. Disrupting the synergy with graveyard control tools or including effects that prevent life gain can help curb Blood Tyrant’s growth and domination. Indirect strategies, such as sustaining a high life total or preserving removal spells specifically for key threats, can also be a part of a robust defensive strategy.
Ultimately, quick reaction and a focused deck strategy can take down a Blood Tyrant. Efficient use of removal, strategic planning, and understanding the pace of your gameplay will ensure that the Tyrant’s reign is cut short.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blood Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Commander 2016, 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 Tyrant and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Blood Tyrant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2017-06-16. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 99 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 183 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 81 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Tyrant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blood Tyrant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-02-01 | Blood Tyrant’s second ability causes each player to lose 1 life, including you. Blood Tyrant will count each player’s life loss, including yours, when determining how many +1/+1 counters it gets. |
| 2009-02-01 | Blood Tyrant’s third ability will trigger no matter how a player loses the game: due to a state-based action (as a result of having a life total of 0 or less, trying to draw a card from an empty library, or having ten poison counters), a spell or ability that says that player loses the game, a concession, or a game loss awarded by a judge. |
| 2009-02-01 | In a multiplayer game using the limited range of influence option (such as a Grand Melee game), if a spell or ability says that you win the game, it instead causes all of your opponents within your range of influence to lose the game. This is another way by which Blood Tyrant’s third ability can trigger. |