Death Frenzy MTG Card

Death Frenzy offers control, clearing small creatures and granting strategic board advantage. Demands careful deck construction given its specific mana requirements and high cost. In the right meta, it can tilt games in favor by disrupting token and utility creatures.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set name	Khans of Tarkir
Set code	KTK
Number	172
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steve Prescott

Text of card

All creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn. Whenever a creature dies this turn, you gain 1 life.

The crocodiles' putrid jaws swallow everything but the screams.

Cards like Death Frenzy

Death Frenzy stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a pivotal sweeper, offering crucial board control in games. Aligning it with other cards, it’s reminiscent of Drown in Sorrow, which also brings a -2/-2 to all creatures. Yet, Death Frenzy ups the ante by having a -2/-2 effect across both sides of the battlefield while granting its caster a life gain for each creature that perished that turn.

Considering another parallel, Languish is a contender that provides an even more potent wipe with a -4/-4 to all creatures. Although the life gain aspect is absent in Languish, its stronger debuff can often be a decisive factor. Then comes Ritual of Soot, which destroys all creatures with a converted mana cost of 3 or less, delivering a targeted sweep unlike Death Frenzy’s equal opportunity approach. Each card offers strategic depth within the framework of MTG, but Death Frenzy shines with its unique combination of debuff and life gain.

In the overarching scheme of creature control, Death Frenzy holds a unique place, cementing its role with the dual function of clearing the board and augmenting the player’s life total – a deft move in the dance of MTG creature combat.

Cards similar to Death Frenzy by color, type and mana cost

Pestilent Cauldron // Restorative Burst - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Death Frenzy allows for a significant shift in the flow of the game by wiping the board of smaller creatures. This can lead to card advantage if it removes multiple creatures controlled by your opponents while leaving your larger creatures unscathed.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially removing mana dorks and other creatures that provide resource acceleration to your opponents, Death Frenzy can indirectly give you a resource edge. Additionally, sweeping the board clean paves the way for your bigger threats to dominate the field without competition.

Instant Speed: Although Death Frenzy is a sorcery, it sets the stage for instant-speed interactions on your following turns. With the board cleared, you are free to cast instants and flash spells with less fear of instantaneous reprisal, knowing that the opponent’s creature-based responses are hindered.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Death Frenzy may clear the board of smaller creatures, but the downside here is that it doesn’t do much else. If you’re behind and need to replenish your hand or develop the board, this card won’t assist in those areas, potentially leading to more problems if your opponent quickly rebuilds.

Specific Mana Cost: With a demanding casting cost requiring both green and black mana, Death Frenzy might be difficult to play in a multicolored deck. This constraint can hamper your deck-building options, especially in formats where mana consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a price tag of five mana to cast, Death Frenzy hits the board relatively late. This can be problematic, especially when faster, more aggressive decks aim to close out the game early, diminishing the impact Death Frenzy could have had at an earlier stage.

Reasons to Include Death Frenzy in Your Collection

Versatility: Death Frenzy offers a dynamic solution against wide board states, clearing out numerous smaller creatures and stabilizing boards dominated by aggressive decks. Its ability to deal with multiple threats at once makes it a valuable addition to decks that need to regain control.

Combo Potential: This card not only sweeps the board but also gives all your creatures a boost the following turn. This sets the stage for powerful follow-up plays, making it a potent combo piece in decks that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta swarming with token strategies or crowded with utility creatures, Death Frenzy thrives. This card’s impact can decisively tilt games in your favor, especially in environments where creatures with 2 toughness or less are prevalent.

How to beat

Overcoming the crippling effects of Death Frenzy in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach. This sorcery card not only deals damage to each creature, but it also debuffs potential survivors, sapping their strength. To navigate this threat, consider employing creatures with higher toughness to withstand the initial impact. Moreover, utilizing instant-speed spells that can bolster your creatures’ resilience or regenerate them is essential in mitigating Death Frenzy’s potency.

Incorporate cards that are indifferent to swarming strategies or come with built-in indestructibility to eschew the sweeping damage entirely. Additionally, leveraging graveyard play can turn the tide. Since Death Frenzy allows an increase in your mana pool for each creature that perished this turn, resurrecting creatures or using mechanics like persist or undying can ensure a swift recovery post onslaught.

Lastly, Death Frenzy targets every creature on the battlefield, including the caster’s own. This symmetrical effect makes it less intimidating if you favor a play style that’s less dependent on creature-based board presence, pushing the burden onto your opponent. Keep these tactics in mind, and the dismay brought by Death Frenzy can swiftly turn into a strategic advantage for the astute player.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Death Frenzy MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Death Frenzy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Death Frenzy has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-09-20	Only creatures on the battlefield when Death Frenzy resolves will get -2/-2. However, if a creature enters the battlefield and then dies later that turn, you’ll gain 1 life for it.
2014-09-20	You gain 1 life for each creature that Death Frenzy causes to have a toughness of 0 or less. The delayed triggered ability is created before state-based actions cause any creatures with 0 or less toughness to die.