Death Tyrant MTG Card


Death Tyrant thrives late game by converting opponent creature deaths into zombie tokens. Its instant-speed beholder cone ability offers players flexible and tactical advantages. Requires careful hand management due to its discard condition and specific mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Beholder Skeleton
Abilities Menace
Power 4
Toughness 6

Text of card

Menace Negative Energy Cone — Whenever an attacking creature you control or a blocking creature an opponent controls dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. : Return Death Tyrant from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.


Cards like Death Tyrant

In the vast and intricate world of Magic: The Gathering, Death Tyrant presents itself as an intriguing option within the pantheon of undead creatures. When drawing parallels, one can’t help but look towards another heavyweight in this category: The Lich Lord of Unx. Both cards allow players to command a legion of zombies, although the mechanics through which they do so differ significantly. Where Death Tyrant relies on its unique Beholder’s “Negative Energy Cone” ability to reanimate an army from fallen non-token creatures, Lich Lord leans toward generating tokens outright.

Venturing further into the necromantic arts, we come across God-Eternal Bontu. Much like our focal card, God-Eternal Bontu offers a resurgence from the graveyard, securing its place again on the battlefield albeit through a different path. Meanwhile, Death Tyrant distinguishes itself with its potential to enlist more forces every time an opponent’s creature perishes. Then there is Overseer of the Damned, another compelling analogue. It also deals in death triggers, yet its capacity is restricted to creating a mere single token with each opponent’s creature it destroys.

Your MTG deck can truly harness the macabre synergy these types of cards introduce, with Death Tyrant standing as a formidable option, pairing board control with prolific undead token generation.

God-Eternal Bontu - MTG Card versions
Overseer of the Damned - MTG Card versions
God-Eternal Bontu - MTG Card versions
Overseer of the Damned - MTG Card versions

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

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
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Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
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Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Death Tyrant card shines when it comes to increasing your hand resources. With its ability to create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, it can consistently provide a player with the upper hand, particularly in the late game where board states can swing significantly.

Resource Acceleration: Holding the potential to boost your board presence, Death Tyrant offers a passive escalation in resources. This is especially effective in strategies that manipulate the number of creatures in play, synergizing seamlessly with sacrifice elements or zombie-centric themes where every fallen creature potentially empowers your position on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Death Tyrant itself is not an instant, it has a beholder cone ability that can be activated at instant speed. This grants the flexibility to strategically negate an opponent’s creature’s death triggers at the most opportune time – for instance, nullifying a key deathrattle during the climax of battle, or disrupting your opponent’s intricate combo in a game-defining moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Death Tyrant requires a keen understanding of hand management as players must satisfy the discard stipulation to gain its benefits. This can pose a strategic challenge, especially when grappling with a dwindling hand size, thus limiting the potential plays and responses during crucial moments of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Death Tyrant demands a precise combination of mana, which includes both black and generic mana. This requirement often necessitates a dedicated commitment to mana production within a deck’s land base, potentially reducing the flexibility to incorporate the card into varied deck archetypes beyond those that are black-centric.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be perceived as a touch steep, the Death Tyrant necessitates a significant investment of resources. This can occasionally lead to pacing issues within a game, where deploying the card may come at the expense of other potential plays, thus inviting players to consider alternative options that may offer comparable or superior effects at a lower cost threshold.


Reasons to Include Death Tyrant in Your Collection

Versatility: As a card that can function both offensively and defensively, Death Tyrant offers flexibility in gameplay. Its ability to generate Zombie tokens upon non-token creatures’ deaths makes it a solid addition to various deck archetypes, especially those centered around creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: Death Tyrant synergizes well with mechanics that encourage creature deaths or benefit from Zombie tokens. Pair it with sac-outlets or cards like “Grave Pact” to create a powerful board presence and strategically disadvantage your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta prevalent with creature-centric decks, Death Tyrant can prove invaluable. Its ability to continuously bring back Zombie tokens ensures you maintain a board state, even when mass removal spells are played, making it a resilient threat in constantly evolving game environments.


How to beat

The Death Tyrant card presents a formidable challenge with its ability to manipulate the battlefield from beyond the grave. When facing this malicious creature, the key is disruption and removal before its powers fully awaken. Cards with exile capabilities, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, offer a clean solution, whisking away the Death Tyrant before it becomes entrenched.

Counterspells are equally effective, with Mana Leak or Negate providing the needed protection at crucial moments. Timing is essential, as nullifying the Death Tyrant during casting prevents any ominous Undead tokens from clustering the field. Once in play, targeted removal spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can swiftly dispatch the lich. Board wipes, such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, can cleanse the battlefield if the situation grows dire with an accumulation of tokens.

Ultimately, staying ahead of the Death Tyrant’s machinations involves a strategic mix of foresight, control, and decisive disruption, safeguarding the game state from its demise-wielding influence. Overcoming such a potent adversary leads not only to a satisfying victory but also to mastery over death’s creeping shadow in the gathering of magic.


BurnMana Recommendations

Developing a deep understanding of card synergies and impacts on the battlefield is crucial as you expand your MTG prowess. With its unique capabilities, Death Tyrant can be a significant asset in the right setup, particularly for those who cherish the dance between life and the undead. Embrace the challenge of mastering the balance and intricacies these cards require. Broaden your strategic horizons by considering how Death Tyrant can enhance your deck’s dynamic or revolutionize your gameplay approach. Delve into the depth of MTG, and let us guide you through harnessing the power of the Death Tyrant to its full potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Death Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like Forgotten Realms Commander and Forgotten Realms Commander, 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 Tyrant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Death Tyrant Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Nicholas Gregory.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 232015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory
22021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 2922015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Death Tyrant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal