Contract Killing MTG Card

Contract Killing couples creature removal with treasure token generation, offering a unique two-fold advantage. Generates instant-access mana, fueling high-cost spells or abilities, and increasing strategic flexibility. Despite higher mana cost, its board impact and utility make it a noteworthy addition to strategy-oriented decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Treasure
Released	2017-09-29
Set symbol
Set name	Ixalan
Set code	XLN
Number	95
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Winona Nelson

Text of card

Destroy target creature. Create two colorless Treasure artifact tokens with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

For a price, the floating city of High and Dry offers all the amenities a pirate could want: rest, recreation, and revenge.

Cards like Contract Killing

Contract Killing is a unique removal spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with other cards that not only dispose of creatures but also provide an additional benefit. For instance, Murder is a classic, straightforward removal that shares the simple task of destroying a target creature. However, Murder doesn’t offer the extra advantage that Contract Killing provides – the creation of Treasure tokens.

Looking at another relative, Cast Down, we observe an efficient two-mana removal spell. Cast Down excels in speed but can’t affect legendary creatures and lacks any additional boons. Whereas with Contract Killing, despite its higher mana cost, the spell delivers resource generation that can fuel future plays. Deadly Dispute is also a noteworthy comparison, albeit it requires a creature or artifact to be sacrificed, which in turn draws cards and creates a Treasure token. Unlike Contract Killing, Deadly Dispute’s utility lies within its flexibility and can be used in a broader range of strategic situations.

To sum up, when considering removal spells with fringe benefits, Contract Killing stands out for its potential to swing the tide of the game through both removal and resource acceleration.

Cards similar to Contract Killing by color, type and mana cost

Voices from the Void - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Contract Killing, it eliminates a problematic creature and grants you two Treasure tokens. This allows you to maintain board presence while getting ahead in resources, setting you up for future turns.

Resource Acceleration: The two Treasure tokens provided by this card can be a significant boost. They can be sacrificed for additional mana, potentially enabling you to cast high-cost spells much earlier than usual or to utilize abilities that require mana investment.

Instant Speed: While Contract Killing is a sorcery, the Treasure tokens it creates can be used at instant speed. This flexibility ensures that you have access to mana on demand, be it for surprises during combat, countering an opponent’s spell, or simply casting spells at the most opportune moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In situations where maintaining card advantage is vital, Contract Killing’s demand that you discard a card upon casting can prove detrimental to your strategic reserves.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of two black mana for activation makes it less versatile, confining it primarily to single-color or dual-color decks with a black mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a conversion cost that demands five mana, players may find that Contract Killing is too costly compared to alternatives that can eliminate threats at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Contract Killing in Your Collection

Versatility: Contract Killing offers flexibility in deck building, demonstrating its value in a variety of strategies that prioritize removal. It can seamlessly integrate into control decks or any build that wants to ensure the board stays clear of significant threats.

Combo Potential: The two Treasure tokens generated upon resolution add an extra layer of strategic depth. These artifacts can integrate with numerous synergies, from ramping up to bigger spells ahead of schedule to empowering cards that thrive on artifact interaction.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dense with key creatures, the ability to remove them efficiently can be critical. Contract Killing fits in a metagame where leaving opponents without their pivotal pieces can pivot the flow of the game in your favor.

How to beat

Contract Killing is a card that demands attention in your MTG matches. This spell’s capability to remove a target creature while simultaneously providing you with Treasure tokens that can be used for mana presents a dual threat. To navigate this efficiently, effective countermeasures are essential.

Strategies include maintaining mana for counterspells, such as Negate or Dissipate, to prevent Contract Killing from being cast in the first place. Alternatively, bait out removal with less critical creatures, preserving your more valuable ones. If Contract Killing resolves, be prepared with artifact removal like Nature’s Claim or Thrashing Brontodon to address the generated Treasure tokens and minimize your opponent’s mana advantage. With these tactics, you can maintain control over the battlefield and diminish the impact of Contract Killing in your games.

In essence, confronting Contract Killing requires a keen understanding of timing, resource management, and the utilization of your card interactions to effectively parry the threats it poses, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt your path to victory in an MTG duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Contract Killing MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Contract Killing and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Contract Killing has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2017-09-29	If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Contract Killing resolves, the entire spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t get Treasures. If, on the other hand, the target is a legal target but isn’t destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), you’ll get Treasures.