Deathbringer Thoctar MTG Card


Thoctar’s counter accumulation from fallen creatures makes it a persistent board presence. Multicolored mana requirements can limit its inclusion in some MTG decks. With a high casting cost, Thoctar is a late-game power player in MTG.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Zombie Beast
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever another creature is put into a graveyard from play, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Deathbringer Thoctar. Remove a +1/+1 counter from Deathbringer Thoctar: Deathbringer Thoctar deals 1 damage to target creature or player.


Cards like Deathbringer Thoctar

In terms of unique capabilities among Magic: The Gathering creature cards, Deathbringer Thoctar stands out within the undead arsenal. This zombie beast is akin to creatures like Falkenrath Aristocrat, both carrying the torch of utilizing death to fuel their power—Falkenrath can become indestructible, while Deathbringer Thoctar accumulates +1/+1 counters.

Another creature that synergizes with death triggers is Blood Artist, which also revels in the demise of other creatures, resulting in life gain and life loss among players. However, unlike the Thoctar, Blood Artist doesn’t pose a growing threat on the battlefield itself. Comparably, Carrion Feeder offers an ability to sacrifice other creatures to grow stronger much like the incremental power boost the Thoctar enjoys, yet it lacks the ranged removal potential that Thoctar has with its removal ability.

Assessing these comparisons, Deathbringer Thoctar is a card that offers flexibility and threat escalation, steadily growing in power and offering tactical advantages with the death of other creatures, earning it a distinctive spot in MTG zombie-themed decks and beyond.

Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Carrion Feeder - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Carrion Feeder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deathbringer Thoctar by color, type and mana cost

Pavel Maliki - MTG Card versions
Rohgahh of Kher Keep - MTG Card versions
Razing Snidd - MTG Card versions
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Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Deepfire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Grief Tyrant - MTG Card versions
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Defiler of Souls - MTG Card versions
Igneous Pouncer - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Ringleader - MTG Card versions
Sire of Insanity - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Kolaghan - MTG Card versions
Swift Warkite - MTG Card versions
The Big Idea - MTG Card versions
Mary O'Kill - MTG Card versions
Rakdos, the Showstopper - MTG Card versions
Pavel Maliki - MTG Card versions
Rohgahh of Kher Keep - MTG Card versions
Razing Snidd - MTG Card versions
Carnival Hellsteed - MTG Card versions
Zagras, Thief of Heartbeats - MTG Card versions
Malfegor - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Deepfire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Grief Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Undead Leotau - MTG Card versions
Vein Drinker - MTG Card versions
Defiler of Souls - MTG Card versions
Igneous Pouncer - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Ringleader - MTG Card versions
Sire of Insanity - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Kolaghan - MTG Card versions
Swift Warkite - MTG Card versions
The Big Idea - MTG Card versions
Mary O'Kill - MTG Card versions
Rakdos, the Showstopper - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deathbringer Thoctar’s ability to accumulate +1/+1 counters offers continuous value as creatures perish, enhancing its presence without additional card investment. This translates to sustained card superiority as it becomes a sizeable threat that opponents must address.

Resource Acceleration: This potent undead beast ramps up its strength with each creature’s demise, fueling its own growth. This natural progression acts as a form of resource acceleration, as it effectively utilizes the general flow of the game—an environment where creatures are regularly sent to the graveyard—to become more formidable.

Instant Speed: Deathbringer Thoctar may not function at instant speed itself, but it profits from instant-speed removal spells in your arsenal. As your spells or effects dispatch rival creatures during either player’s turn, the Thoctar reaps immediate benefits, reinforcing its position as an opportune threat that capitalizes on the timing of the game’s exchanges.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Deathbringer Thoctar may compel players to adjust their playstyle to get the most of its ability. Optimizing card usage to ensure creature death can synergize with the Thoctar can be tricky in certain game scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a blend of black and red mana realms, Deathbringer Thoctar can be challenging to cast in decks that aren’t finely tuned to accommodate these specific mana needs, potentially hampering the card’s strategic utility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment needed to bring Deathbringer Thoctar to the battlefield is substantial, with a total cost of six mana. Considering the mana curve of most competitive decks, this cost places the Thoctar in the higher brackets, which may hinder early to mid-game momentum.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deathbringer Thoctar is a card that can adapt to multiple strategies and sees play in various deck archetypes, especially those revolving around +1/+1 counters and direct player damage.

Combo Potential: This zombie beast has an innate ability to get stronger with every creature’s demise, forming lethal combos with cards that cause mass creature deaths or with sacrifice outlets, making it a threat that can grow out of control quickly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures are a central component, Deathbringer Thoctar holds relevance by interacting with death triggers and constantly applies pressure on the opponent’s life total, thus maintaining a spot in metagames that favor prolonged board presence and incremental advantage.


How to beat

Deathbringer Thoctar commands attention as a potent force in MTG. It gains strength from the demise of other creatures, adding a +1/+1 counter each time a creature dies. Envision dismantling your opponent’s strategy while your Thoctar swells with power – that’s quite the advantage. Yet, it’s not unbeatable.

To effectively counter this threatening beast, one might consider avoiding strategies that rely on numerous creatures dying, such as token generation. Instead, direct removal spells could be the key. These allow you to bypass the Thoctar’s growing counters by removing it from play without triggering its ability. Instant speed interaction is particularly crucial here, disrupting your opponent’s rhythm and eliminating the Thoctar before it becomes an insurmountable threat.

Protection against targeted spells could also foil your opponent’s plans. If they can’t target your creatures for sacrifice or death triggers, the Thoctar loses much of its intimidation factor. By adjusting your tactics and carefully selecting your spell timing, turning the tide against Deathbringer Thoctar becomes a feasible task, even when it seems to loom large on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deep into the evolving battlefield with cards like Deathbringer Thoctar. An embodiment of flexibility and tactical dominance, this unique creature thrives amid the chaos of MTG skirmishes. Whether fortifying its strength through smart play or leveraging destruction for dominance, it’s a card that beckons innovative deck building and strategic plays. We at BurnMana encourage you to embrace the nuanced dynamics of the MTG arena where every card holds potential for victory. Expand your arsenal, refine your strategies, and command the game with prowess. Keen to optimize your gameplay and harness the power of Deathbringer Thoctar? Join our community to learn more and conquer the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deathbringer Thoctar MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Commander 2013, 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 Deathbringer Thoctar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deathbringer Thoctar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-04-30Alara RebornARB 362003NormalBlackKarl Kopinski
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1842003NormalBlackKarl Kopinski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deathbringer Thoctar has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-05-01 If Deathbringer Thoctar and another creature are dealt lethal damage at the same time, Deathbringer Thoctar will be put into a graveyard before it would receive any counters. Its ability will still trigger, but it will do nothing when it resolves.
2009-05-01 You may remove any +1/+1 counter from Deathbringer Thoctar to activate its second ability, not just a +1/+1 counter put on it with its first ability.