Vampire Hexmage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Vampire Shaman
Abilities First strike
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Vampire Hexmage offers a consistent way to gain card advantage by neutralizing threats at critical moments.
  2. Its speciality in counter removal accelerates strategies, especially in combo plays with cards like Dark Depths.
  3. Instant speed activation provides flexibility, allowing players to disrupt opponents’ strategies at optimal times.

Text of card

First strike Sacrifice Vampire Hexmage: Remove all counters from target permanent.

When the blood hunt lost its thrill, she looked for less tangible means of domination.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vampire Hexmage excels at neutralizing threats or key counters on the battlefield, which often equates to card advantage. Leveraging its ability to remove all counters from a single permanent, players can negate the build-up efforts of their opponents, such as dismantling planeswalkers or potent artifacts.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana resources, Vampire Hexmage can accelerate your strategic position by swiftly removing counters from permanents like Dark Depths, enabling a rapid and game-changing 20/20 flying Indestructible Marit Lage token to be summoned. This tactic propels your board state far beyond your opponent’s resources.

Instant Speed: With its ability to act at instant speed, Vampire Hexmage gives players the upper hand, allowing them to wait until the most opportune moment to disrupt the opponent’s strategy. This flexibility is invaluable in the intricate dance of match tempo, providing an edge that can swiftly shift the scales in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Not applicable to Vampire Hexmage as it does not require a card discard. However, when building a strategy around this creature, you might still find yourself at a disadvantage against opponents who capitalize on graveyard strategies or if this card is your only defense.

Specific Mana Cost: Vampire Hexmage demands a specific mana alignment, which in this case is black mana. This requirement can become restrictive, effectively relegating the card to mono-black or dual-colored decks where black is a primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Vampire Hexmage costs only two black mana, the cost is comparatively high for its base stats. The creature offers a unique utility, but without further enhancements or synergies, other cards in the same mana range might present a stronger board presence or additional abilities.


Reasons to Include Vampire Hexmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Vampire Hexmage proves its flexibility by being a staple in many deck types. Its ability to remove all counters from a single permanent allows it to adapt to various situations, making it ideal for dismantling opponents’ strategies that rely on counters to win.

Combo Potential: Not only efficient as a control card, Vampire Hexmage pairs brilliantly with cards like Dark Depths, enabling powerful combos that can summon a massive indestructible creature swiftly, turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its counter-removal ability, Vampire Hexmage remains a relevant choice in metas dominated by planeswalkers, +1/+1 counter strategies, or other counter-centric decks. Its presence can be a decisive factor in matches, demonstrating its ongoing value in competitive play.


How to beat

Confronting a Vampire Hexmage on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering can be a tricky ordeal. This creature card is a force to be reckoned with, mainly due to its unique ability to remove all counters from a target permanent. The power to neutralize threats such as planeswalkers in an instant cannot be underestimated. However, there are strategies to mitigate the Hexmage’s influence in the game. Ensuring that your key permanents have hexproof or shroud is one approach, making it impossible for your opponent to target them with the Hexmage’s ability. Moreover, timing your plays to avoid placing high-value counters when the Hexmage is on the table or could potentially be played is crucial.

Another tactic is to keep removal spells or effects on hand to respond to the Hexmage’s summoning. Instant speed removals like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Hexmage before it has the opportunity to activate its ability. Additionally, utilizing cards that provide counter redundancy, like doubling season or proliferate effects, can help recover from the Hexmage’s devastating ability. Adaptability and strategic play are key when facing off against this devious vampire.


BurnMana Recommendations

Captaining a deck with Vampire Hexmage at the helm isn’t just about understanding the card but about sculpting a game where it thrives. As players dissect the fine print of MTG tactics, Vampire Hexmage stands out as a tool for clever manipulation and abrupt shocks to an opponent’s game plan. Whether it’s deployed to outpace resource-heavy adversaries or complete devastating combos, integrating this creature demands finesse and a bit of daring. Explore the depths of your strategic acumen by weaving Vampire Hexmage into your deck architecture. Discover more about this potent piece and other game-changing strategies on our platform, your next level awaits.


Cards like Vampire Hexmage

Vampire Hexmage presents a unique role in the array of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. It resonates with the utility of creatures like Dark Confidant for its ability to affect the board immediately upon entering. Yet, it stands out with its distinctive ability to remove all counters from a target permanent. This ability is analogous to the work of cards such as Aether Snap, which also eliminates counters but from all permanents and with a higher mana cost.

Another comparable card is Hex Parasite, offering the control over counters with a versatility in its usage. Hex Parasite can remove multiple counters one at a time, but it requires payment of life as well as mana to do so. In contrast, Vampire Hexmage’s ability is a one-time, clean sweep activation, which makes for a swift resolution against counters-heavy threats like planeswalkers or accumulated charge counters.

Comparing the strategic uses, Vampire Hexmage may not fuel card advantage or direct manipulation of the game’s pace as other creatures do, but its counter-removal prowess gives it a distinctive position in decks focusing on strategic disruption or combo-enabling roles in Magic: The Gathering. With this precision, it carves out its niche effectively within the game’s multifarious card repertoire.

Dark Confidant - MTG Card versions
Aether Snap - MTG Card versions
Hex Parasite - MTG Card versions
Dark Confidant - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Aether Snap - Darksteel (DST)
Hex Parasite - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Cards similar to Vampire Hexmage by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nether Shadow - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampire Hexmage MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Conspiracy, 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 Vampire Hexmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vampire Hexmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1142003normalblackEric Deschamps
22014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1322003normalblackEric Deschamps
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1682015normalblackEric Deschamps
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8112015normalblackEric Deschamps
52020-08-07Double Masters2XM 1122015normalblackEric Deschamps
62020-09-26The ListPLST C14-1682015normalblackEric Deschamps
72021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3351997normalblackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Hexmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 Any permanent can be targeted by the second ability, not just one with counters on it.
2021-03-19 Vampire Hexmage's ability can't target a permanent card in a zone other than the battlefield, such as a suspended card.

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