Dark Betrayal MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2013-09-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros |
| Set code | THS |
| Number | 83 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Text of card
Destroy target black creature.
"You're just like me: ruthless, cunning, and ambitious. Obviously you're a threat." —Basarios the Blade
Cards like Dark Betrayal
Dark Betrayal stands out in MTG as a potent answer to black creatures. Comparable to Go for the Throat, another strong removal spell, the advantage of Dark Betrayal is its focus. While Go for the Throat does not discriminate against creature color, it is rendered useless against artifact creatures. Dark Betrayal, on the other hand, excels in mono-black matchups with its ability to target black creatures for a single black mana, showcasing its cost-effectiveness.
In the same category, we have Doom Blade, a classic piece of removal. Though Doom Blade allows you to target non-black creatures, it requires double the mana compared to Dark Betrayal. Conversely, Dark Betrayal becomes extremely narrow in a diverse meta where black creatures might not be as prevalent. Then there’s Ultimate Price, which targets monocolored creatures regardless of their color, presenting a broader range of targets than Dark Betrayal, albeit at a higher mana cost.
To conclude, Dark Betrayal might not always steal the spotlight in every deck or matchup, but it’s a valuable tool for dealing with threats in mono-black or heavily black-influenced metas, proving its worth in specialized scenarios.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Designed specifically to target one of the most prevalent colors in MTG, Dark Betrayal offers the ability to remove an opponent’s powerful black creature, tipping the balance in your favor without losing momentum.
Resource Acceleration: While Dark Betrayal itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost aids in overall mana efficiency. This enables players to deploy their threats or answers while still having mana available for a strategic play.
Instant Speed: The strength of Dark Betrayal lies in its instant speed, facilitating reactive gameplay. You have the option to bypass your turn and instead act on your opponent’s moves, disrupting their strategy at a critical moment without preempting your own plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Dark Betrayal necessitates the tough choice of discarding another card, making each play a delicate balance, especially when your hand is dwindling and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is color-specific, demanding black mana which pigeonholes it into mono-black or multicolored decks that can accommodate such requirements, thus potentially restricting its versatility across a wider array of deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that stands on the higher side for its effect, there may be alternative removal options that provide a more economical cost for a similar—perhaps even more impactful—board influence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dark Betrayal offers flexibility as a sideboard option in black-centered decks, being able to remove problematic mono-black creatures that are often resilient to other forms of removal.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in metas with combo decks relying on key black creatures. Its low mana cost makes it a seamless addition to disrupt your opponent’s strategy without slowing down your own game plan.
Meta-Relevance: At a time when mono-black decks or black-heavy strategies are prevalent, Dark Betrayal shines by giving players an efficient and targeted answer to threats such as Gurmag Angler or Phyrexian Obliterator.
How to beat
Dark Betrayal stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a potent removal card, especially in formats where mono-black decks or black creatures are prevalent. Its strength lies in its incredibly low cost and ability to target even the most formidable black creatures. One efficient way to handle the threat posed by Dark Betrayal is to diversify the colors in your creature base. By not relying solely on black creatures in your deck, you minimize the value Dark Betrayal offers your opponent.
Besides diversifying your deck’s colors, counterstrategies such as utilizing hexproof or shroud abilities can protect your creatures from targeted removal spells like Dark Betrayal. Integrating creatures that can regenerate or cards that can resurrect creatures from the graveyard are other viable tactics. These methods ensure that even if your black creatures fall victim to Dark Betrayal, they won’t be out of the game for long. Remember to always prepare sideboard options that can preemptively address removal spells and adjust your strategy after game one, based on your opponent’s deck mechanics.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating removal cards within your MTG matchups are crucial. Efficient deck construction and strategic foresight often make the difference between succumbing to a removal spell or outlasting it with resilience and adaptability.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dark Betrayal MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Dark Betrayal 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 Dark Betrayal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |