Dark Deal MTG Card


Dark Deal shifts gameplay, promoting new strategies with its card refresh mechanic. Effective in discard synergies, it energizes combos and punishes opponents. When played wisely, it disrupts enemy plans while bolstering your deck’s potential.
Dark Deal - Fate Reforged
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released2015-01-23
Set symbol
Set nameFate Reforged
Set codeFRF
Number66
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byScott Murphy

Text of card

Each player discards all the cards in his or her hand, then draws that many cards minus one.

The first khans of the Sultai relied on the magic of the rakshasa to ensure the survival of the clan.


Cards like Dark Deal

Dark Deal is a unique piece in the array of wheel effects of Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the mechanics of the infamous Wheel of Fortune by compelling each player to discard their hand and draw new cards. However, Dark Deal requires each player to draw one less card than the number they discarded, unlike Wheel of Fortune, where players draw seven fresh cards.

When considering its kin, Whispering Madness comes to mind, which also allows players to discard and draw, but it can be ciphered onto a creature for repeated usage. Although it does not reduce the number of cards drawn, it comes with a higher casting cost. Another relative is the daunting Reforge the Soul, which offers a clean slate of seven cards much like Wheel of Fortune but is slower due to its miracle mechanic. These cards shape a game differently; Whispering Madness can create prolonged value, while Reforge the Soul can lead to a more immediate and impactful change.

The strategic depth Dark Deal brings to MTG gameplay cannot be overstated, as it can disrupt opponents’ plans while refilling one’s hand, albeit with one fewer card to harness. It is a worthwhile alternative for those who prefer nuanced manipulation over straightforward mass draw.

Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Whispering Madness - MTG Card versions
Reforge the Soul - MTG Card versions
Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Whispering Madness - MTG Card versions
Reforge the Soul - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dark Deal by color, type and mana cost

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Demonic Attorney - MTG Card versions
Jovial Evil - MTG Card versions
Touch of Death - MTG Card versions
Wicked Pact - MTG Card versions
Nature's Ruin - MTG Card versions
Buried Alive - MTG Card versions
Choking Sands - MTG Card versions
Brush with Death - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Coercion - MTG Card versions
Hand of Death - MTG Card versions
Forced March - MTG Card versions
Stupor - MTG Card versions
Soul Burn - MTG Card versions
Noxious Vapors - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Crippling Fatigue - MTG Card versions
Flaying Tendrils - MTG Card versions
Victimize - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dark Deal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black DiscardMono-Black Discard PioneerMono-Black DiscardPioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-03-10
B/W MidB/W Mid Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Waste NotWaste Not PioneerMono-Black Discard#17 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dark Deal facilitates fresh hand draws, often resulting in new opportunities and synergies by discarding and drawing numerous cards. This can pivot the game’s momentum in your favor by filling your hand with more actionable plays.

Resource Acceleration: By discarding your hand and drawing new cards, you accelerate toward key deck components and potentially disruptive strategies against your opponent, increasing the speed at which you can deploy your threats.

Instant Speed: Although Dark Deal is a sorcery, it complements instant-speed plays by setting up your next turn with a renewed hand, allowing for more reactive and flexible strategies as you move through your phases.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dark Deal forces each player to discard all the cards in their hand and then draw that many cards minus one. This can backfire if you’re not prepared to capitalize on the mass discard or if your hand contains high-value cards you’re reluctant to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one black and two generic mana, Dark Deal is limited to decks that can produce black mana. This can be a critical constraint for multicolor decks that may not always have the necessary mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, Dark Deal is more expensive than other discard-driven cards such as Delirium Skeins or Mind Rot, which could potentially offer more straightforward control over the discard without affecting your own hand as drastically.


Reasons to Include Dark Deal in Your Collection

Versatility: Dark Deal provides a unique twist to the discard and draw dynamic, allowing it to be a functional part of control decks or any strategy that profits from card flow manipulation.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups that benefit from discard triggers, enabling combos with cards like Waste Not for potential massive payoffs.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where players are holding onto key cards, Dark Deal disrupts your opponents’ carefully curated hands while refreshing your own resources, offering a distinct advantage.


How to beat

Dark Deal is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can drastically shift the tide of a match by forcing each player to discard all the cards in their hand and then draw that many cards minus one. To outmaneuver this strategy, keen foresight is essential. Players must be aware that any card in hand could be lost, so playing valuable cards before Dark Deal is cast can mitigate the potential downside.

Another effective approach is utilizing cards that benefit from being discarded or having many cards in the graveyard. Cards with Madness or Flashback can turn a would-be setback into an advantage. Additionally, running counterspells ensures that you maintain control and can prevent Dark Deal from resolving. In graveyard-focused decks, include ways to retrieve key cards from the graveyard to your hand or the battlefield, preserving your resources through the disruption. Keeping a lean hand and playing a game based on incremental advantage can also minimize Dark Deal’s impact, making it less detrimental when it does disrupt your strategy.

Overall, being adaptable and anticipating your opponent’s moves are the keys to diminishing the power of Dark Deal in your matches. By understanding and implementing these strategies, you secure a stronger position and higher win potential against decks that rely on this particular card to undermine their opponents.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into MTG’s strategic depths, Dark Deal stands out as a potent card for those who thrive on the edge of risk and reward. Considering the pros and cons, this card could significantly alter your game experience. If the ideas of reshaping your hand and disrupting opponents resonate with you, Dark Deal deserves a slot in your collection. Prepare for surprising turns and clever plays by mastering the art of when and how to play this card. Curious to learn more? Join us to deepen your knowledge and make every match a mind-bending journey of cunning and control.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dark Deal MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Deal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dark Deal has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-24 If a player had one card or no cards in their hand, that player won’t draw any cards.