Burden of Greed MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2004-02-06 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Darksteel |
| Set code | DST |
| Number | 38 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Vance Kovacs |
Text of card
Target player loses 1 life for each tapped artifact he or she controls.
"The one who dies with the most toys is still dead." —Geth, keeper of the Vault
Cards like Burden of Greed
Burden of Greed presents an intriguing dynamic within Magic: The Gathering’s roster of life point targeting spells. Comparable to the likes of Debt to the Deathless, both these cards are designed to drain life from opponents while potentially boosting your own life total. Debt to the Deathless, however, usually siphons a larger amount due to its exponential nature, doubling the impact with each additional mana spent.
Along the lines of resource depletion, Exsanguinate is another noteworthy parallel. This spell also drains life from each opponent, giving you a life-gain bonus. While Exsanguinate’s life drain is not tied to the number of artifacts you control like Burden of Greed, it offers a more straightforward boost to your life total. Conversely, Burden of Greed’s potential scales with your artifact count, positing a more strategic setup.
Examining these alternatives, Burden of Greed holds its ground with a unique artifact synergy, lending itself to decks that can maximize its distinctive life-draining effect. It’s a strategic card that can shine in the right context, especially in artifact-heavy decks where its draining capability can become formidable.
Cards similar to Burden of Greed by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Burden of Greed shines when it comes to undermining your opponent’s resources while bolstering your own arsenal. Each time it’s activated, you get a step closer to overwhelming your adversary with superior options.
Resource Acceleration: This card can be pivotal in the late game when the additional treasures translate into crucial mana for casting game-changing spells. That sudden surge can be just what’s needed to tip the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: The ability to unleash Burden of Greed during your opponent’s turn injects a tactical edge into your gameplay. Whether it’s disrupting their plans or waiting for the opportune moment to strike, the flexibility it offers can be a true game-changer.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Burden of Greed is its discard requirement, which can deplete your hand and potentially rid you of key cards needed for later strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a precise mana composition to cast, necessitating both black and generic mana. This can be restrictive and difficult for decks that aren’t tailored to produce a diverse mana pool efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Burden of Greed has potent effects, its mana value puts it at a disadvantage compared to other spells that may achieve similar outcomes. The cost asks players to invest significant resources that could be allocated to more impactful plays.
Reasons to Include Burden of Greed Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Burden of Greed demonstrates a broad range of applications in deck building. It can serve as a significant pressure tool in decks that aim to control the opponent’s resources or as a finisher in strategies focused on draining the opponent’s life.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in combos that revolve around multiplying damage or exploitation of life total disparities. It pairs well with cards that preserve your life total while depleting your opponent’s, paving the path for a swift victory.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with decks that rely heavily on treasures or other temporary resources, Burden of Greed can become a game-changer, punishing opponents for overextending their resources and turning the tide in your favor.
How to beat
Burden of Greed is a unique challenge on the battlefield for players of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card that punishes opponents for every treasure token they possess by translating those treasures into direct life loss. Encountering Burden of Greed requires a strategy pivoted on minimizing treasure accumulation or finding ways to use them before the card can take effect.
One way to counteract Burden of Greed is by incorporating instant speed spells or abilities that allow you to sacrifice your treasure tokens for value on the spot. Cards like Brass’s Bounty, that create a plethora of treasures at once, should be played with caution. Alternatively, focusing on disruption can prevent the card from ever hitting the table. Counterspells, direct removal, or discard strategies might be more effective at neutralizing the threat it poses. Essentials like Abrade that can remove artifacts or a well-timed Thoughtseize to pluck it from a foe’s hand, can mitigate the risks before the card takes its toll.
Managing resources wisely while remaining conscious of your opponent’s potential plays is the foundation of a sound strategy against Burden of Greed. Ensuring you’re not overextending into its punishing effects can be the key to maintaining an advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Burden of Greed MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Burden of Greed 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Burden of Greed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |