Claim of Erebos MTG Card

Offers board control by removing threats and sustaining your creature presence while managing resources. Demands precise deck building around black mana and a stable creature pipeline for optimal use. Enhances tactical gameplay, fitting into varied deck styles and often tipping match balances.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set name	Born of the Gods
Set code	BNG
Number	64
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zack Stella

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has ", : Target player loses 2 life."

Priests of Erebos give an occasional reminder to mortals who have forgotten their mortality.

Cards like Claim of Erebos

In the expansive universe of Magic: The Gathering, Claim of Erebos finds itself among enchantment auras that have the ability to give creatures a new lease on life – or death. It closely resembles a card like Dead Weight, an aura which also puts the creature it enchants at a substantial disadvantage. However, Claim of Erebos distinguishes itself with an activated ability that occasions a loss of life to the opponent, while Dead Weight permanently weakens the enchanted creature without the bleed effect.

Anoter card to consider in comparison is Stab Wound. This aura not only weakens the creature significantly but also inherently has the ability to sap the strength from the opponent’s life total each turn. Stab Wound is more costly in terms of mana, but it combines the debuff power with a repetitive life-drain effect, whereas Claim of Erebos needs the enchanted creature to tap, limiting its use to once per turn cycle unless untapping shenanigans are involved.

Evaluating their utility, Claim of Erebos offers an enhanced tactical edge by transforming any creature into a potential threat beyond the combat phase. This versatility can influence the pace and strategy of the game, marking its own niche within the family of controlling auras in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Claim of Erebos by color, type and mana cost

Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions

Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Claim of Erebos offers strategic depth by enabling you to potentially weaken an opponent’s creatures or even clear the board when timed correctly. This can result in a favorable swing in card economy as you tactically remove threats while maintaining your own board presence.

Resource Acceleration: This enchantment allows for the repeated use of its activated ability, serving as a consistent resource enhancement tool. While not directly accelerating mana, it efficiently utilizes available mana to influence the game without the need for additional card investment.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Claim of Erebos’s ability at instant speed grants you the upper hand, allowing for reactions to your opponent’s moves during their turn. This keeps them second-guessing their strategies, as they must account for the potential of instant-speed interactions that can disrupt their plans.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Claim of Erebos requires a consistent stream of creatures to sacrifice, which can strain your hand and board presence. This can lead to a disadvantageous position if you’re unable to maintain the necessary card flow to fuel its ability.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment demands a commitment to black mana in your deck construction. Its black mana cost can be restrictive for multi-color decks and limits the flexibility of your mana base, potentially causing color-related mana issues during gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana and the additional cost of sacrificing a creature, the effect of Claim of Erebos might not always align with the tempo of a game. Consider other options that provide creature removal or direct damage with lower costs or additional benefits to maximize your mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include Claim of Erebos in Your Collection

Versatility: Claim of Erebos shines in its ability to fit seamlessly into multiple deck styles. Its enchant creature feature provides an ongoing threat, turning any creature into a recurring source of life drain for opponents.

Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that are centered around creature tapping, allowing you to utilize it not only for attack or defense but also to incrementally weaken your opponent’s life total. Furthermore, it synergizes with cards that reward you for gaining life or that trigger upon loss of life.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often sees swings in life totals decide the victor, Claim of Erebos holds relevance. It’s particularly useful in matchups where games tend to go longer, and the consistent life-point pressure it generates can be crucial for securing wins against formidable defenses or during stalled board states.

How to beat

Claim of Erebos is a unique enchantment aura in Magic: The Gathering that can turn creatures into valuable tools to chip away at an opponent’s life total. To effectively overcome this card, it’s crucial to eliminate the enchanted creature quickly through removal spells. Board wipes like Wrath of God or targeted removal like Doom Blade can efficiently address this threat without giving the opponent the opportunity to leverage its ability.

If removal is not an option, countering the spell before it hits the battlefield with counterspells such as Counterspell or Negate is a reliable strategy. Another way is to use hexproof or shroud abilities to protect your creatures and prevent them from being targeted by Claim of Erebos in the first place. Beside these tactical removals and protections, managing the pace of the game and sustaining a higher life total can mitigate the impact of the life-draining effect the enchantment brings to the match.

Ultimately, while Claim of Erebos may offer a strategic advantage by providing repeatable life drain, efficient creature management, spell denial, and protective measures can ensure your deck remains resilient against such threats.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Claim of Erebos MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Claim of Erebos and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Claim of Erebos has restrictions

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