Deathmark MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 54
2007-07-13 - Number 134
2009-07-17 - Number 90
2010-07-16 - Number 91
2011-07-15 - Number 90
2015-05-22 - Number 77
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target green or white creature.
"I hope it's true that every snowflake is unique, because I never want to see one like this again. Now clean up that body." —Thangbrand Gyrdsson, Kjeldoran patrol
Cards like Deathmark
Deathmark stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a targeted removal option for creatures. It has parallels to other destruction spells like Doom Blade, which also serves to remove creatures from the field. Nevertheless, Deathmark is particularly specialized, as it exclusively targets green or white creatures, making it highly effective in certain matchups. Unlike Doom Blade, which can’t hit black creatures, Deathmark’s restriction is on two specific colors, making it an optimal sideboard card in a meta with dominant green or white creatures.
Considering Dark Betrayal as another comparable card, we find that it’s exclusively designed to destroy black creatures at a lower cost. This can be an advantage or drawback depending on the prevalent deck colors in play. Deathmark’s low cost and sorcery speed are akin to Go for the Throat, a spell capable of destroying non-artifact creatures. While Go for the Throat offers more flexibility, Deathmark’s color restrictions can render it more powerful versus decks that rely heavily on green or white creatures.
Ultimately, Deathmark may find its niche in specific tournament metas. Players will weigh the benefits of its targeted removal capabilities within the scope of the current playing environment, potentially gaining an edge against certain deck archetypes in competitive Magic: The Gathering play.
Cards similar to Deathmark by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Deathmark’s targeted removal is highly efficient against creatures of the most prevalent colors in opponents’ decks, making it a prime candidate for swinging the board state in your favor without losing card equity.
Resource Acceleration: By eliminating key threats for just one mana, you free up resources to develop your board or hold up mana for other disruptive plays. This economical cost helps you stay ahead in the resource game.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Deathmark at instant speed provides flexibility. You can react to your opponents’ plays, potentially removing a creature before it can be used in combat or in response to an opposing spell or ability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some other removal spells, Deathmark does not impose a discard requirement on the player, allowing them to maintain card advantage while dealing with a threat.
Specific Mana Cost: Deathmark’s casting cost is quite restrictive, necessitating one black mana, which can limit its integration in multicolored decks not heavily focused on black.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Deathmark’s mana cost is low, it’s important to recognize that its usability is hindered by its narrow focus, only targeting green or white creatures, which could be considered a higher cost for its specificity compared to more flexible removal options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Deathmark is a valuable addition, as it’s effective removal for green or white creatures, which are common in various formats. Its low mana cost allows it to slip easily into black-based control or aggressive decks, maintaining tempo while dealing with threats.
Combo Potential: Within decks that capitalize on creature death, such as those using graveyard mechanics or Morbid triggers, Deathmark becomes more than just removal—it’s a strategic play that can turn the tides by interacting with other cards that benefit from creatures dying.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where green ramp or white-token strategies are prevalent, Deathmark shines as an efficient answer. Its targeted removal is significantly relevant against decks that hinge on powerful green or white creatures, ensuring that your deck can keep pace with those dominant strategies.
How to beat
Understanding your opponent’s cards is key in any game of Magic: The Gathering, and knowing how to counteract the spell Deathmark can give you a significant advantage. Deathmark, a sorcery that can obliterate a green or white creature for just one black mana, is particularly potent considering its cost-effectiveness. These colors often boast formidable creatures, and having this removal at such a low cost can swing the tides of battle quickly.
To navigate around Deathmark, consider timing the play of your high-value green or white creatures. Waiting until you have protection, such as counterspells or abilities like hexproof or indestructible, can mitigate the risk of losing them to Deathmark. Also, diversifying your creature color types in your deck construction can decrease the potential impact of targeted removal spells like this. Another strategy is baiting out the Deathmark with less critical creatures before playing your key pieces, thereby managing the threat preemptively.
Ultimately, every card has its foil, and in Deathmark’s case, it’s about strategic play and deck flexibility. By taking these measures, you maintain the upper hand against such targeted removal, ensuring your creatures live to see another turn.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Deathmark MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Tenth Edition, 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 Deathmark 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
Printings
The Deathmark Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 54 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeremy Jarvis | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 134 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeremy Jarvis | |
| 3 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 90 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 4 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 91 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 5 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 90 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 6 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 77 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Deathmark has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |