Dictate of Erebos MTG Card
Text of card
Flash Whenever a creature you control dies, each opponent sacrifices a creature.
"I take no pleasure in your suffering, but it is necessary. Once you accept your fate you'll find eternity more tolerable."
Cards like Dictate of Erebos
Dictate of Erebos is a powerful enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that has become a staple in many black-based control decks. As far as its thematic and functional relatives go, the most notable is Grave Pact. Both are built upon the same fundamental principle: whenever a creature you control dies, each opponent must also sacrifice a creature. The edge Dictate of Erebos has lies in its flash ability, allowing players to cast it at a moment’s notice, potentially changing the tide of the game unexpectedly.
An additional kin to this card is Butcher of Malakir, a creature that mimics the effect of Grave Pact and Dictate of Erebos. Although it carries the same impact when your creatures die, as a creature itself, Butcher of Malakir is more susceptible to removal. Moreover, its higher mana cost makes it less agile compared to the instant utility provided by Dictate of Erebos’s flash.
In evaluating these comparable options, Dictate of Erebos indeed stands out, chiefly due to its versatility and the surprise element it introduces in games, solidifying its position as a formidably strategic asset in Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of enchantments.
Cards similar to Dictate of Erebos by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dictate of Erebos shines when it comes to disrupting your opponent’s board state. Each time one of your creatures dies, your opponents are forced to sacrifice a creature as well, potentially clearing their side of the battlefield and leaving them at a disadvantage. This attrition war not only keeps your adversaries in check but also tips the scales in your favor, offering you an indirect form of card advantage over the course of the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although Dictate of Erebos does not directly generate mana or ramp, its ability can accelerate your resource dominance indirectly. By constantly thinning out your opponents’ creatures, Dictate of Erebos allows you to make more effective use of your remaining creatures and spells. This can lead to a situation where you control the tempo and flow of the game, making every card you draw more impactful.
Instant Speed: One of the most powerful aspects of Dictate of Erebos is its flash ability, which enables you to play it at instant speed. This surprise factor allows you to wait for the most opportune moment to deploy it, often in response to an opponent’s action or during their end step. Coupled with its devastating effect, this can turn the tide of battle in your favor, forcing your opponent to adapt to a new game state on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The enchantment places a heavy toll on hand resources, obliging players to potentially discard additional cards to support its recurring expense.
Specific Mana Cost: Dictate of Erebos demands a precise combination of mana—two black and three of any type—this may restrict its integration into multi-colored decks or those with a less stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana investment of five, players may find the cost steep, considering alternative removal options exist that could be played much earlier in the game, thus impacting the board state sooner.
Reasons to Include Dictate of Erebos in Your Collection
Versatility: Dictate of Erebos offers a flexible solution for various deck archetypes that focus on creature control and sacrifice strategies. Its ability to force opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever you lose one makes it a deterrent that can be weaved into several game plans.
Combo Potential: Coupled with creature-based mechanics or token generation, Dictate of Erebos elevates the power of sacrifice effects. It multiplies the impact of sending your own creatures to the graveyard, turning each loss into a disadvantage for your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-heavy decks predominate, Dictate of Erebos shines as a tool to maintain board control. Its presence alone can shape the flow of a game, making it an asset in competitive and casual circles alike.
How to beat
Dictate of Erebos is a formidable enchantment that can greatly influence the board state in your MTG game. This card poses a significant challenge by forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever you lose one of your own. While it’s a powerful control tool, there are ways to navigate around it.
One strategy involves prioritizing the removal of enchantments. Cards like Disenchant and Naturalize allow you to directly target and eliminate Dictate of Erebos from the battlefield. Another tactic is to limit the number of creatures you control, minimizing the impact of its ability. Utilizing spells that produce token creatures can also offset the loss of your more valuable creatures.
Focusing on strong, single creatures with hexproof or indestructible attributes can also mitigate the Dictate’s power by providing resilience against sacrifice effects. Alternatively, playing cards that give you benefits when your creatures die, such as Zulaport Cutthroat or Blood Artist, can turn the tables and use Dictate of Erebos’s ability to your advantage. Each of these strategies aims to weaken the effect of this compelling enchantment and maintain a competitive edge in your MTG matches.
BurnMana Recommendations
Dictate of Erebos stands as a formidable force in the MTG arena, adept at tilting the battlefield in your favor. Its potential to disrupt gameplay makes it an essential piece in decks centered around sacrifice and control. While its strategic deployment can indeed lead to victory, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for optimizing its use. Remember to consider your mana base and the timing of your plays to maximize its impact. Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing collection or seeking to dominate your next game night, exploring the intricacies of Dictate of Erebos can provide the edge you need. Dive deeper into strategy discussions and expand your MTG prowess with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dictate of Erebos MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Mystery Booster, 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 Dictate of Erebos and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Dictate of Erebos Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Michael C. Hayes.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-05-02 | Journey into Nyx | JOU | 65 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 625 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | JOU-65 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dictate of Erebos has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dictate of Erebos card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-04-26 | If multiple creatures you control die at the same time, Dictate of Erebos's triggered ability will trigger that many times. |
| 2014-04-26 | If you and an opponent each control a Dictate of Erebos and a creature dies, a chain reaction happens. First the ability of one player's Dictate of Erebos will trigger, causing each opponent to sacrifice a creature. That sacrifice causes the ability of the other player's Dictate of Erebos to trigger, and so on. |
| 2014-04-26 | If you control more than one Dictate of Erebos and a creature you control dies, each of the triggered abilities will trigger. Each opponent will sacrifice a creature each time one of those abilities resolves. |
| 2014-04-26 | None of the opponents are targeted. An opponent with hexproof would still sacrifice a creature. |
| 2014-04-26 | When the triggered ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is (if that player is an opponent) chooses which creature they will sacrifice, then each other opponent in turn order does the same, then all chosen creatures are sacrificed at the same time. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.