Doomsday Specter MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 103
2005-08-22 - Number E13
2020-09-26 - Number PLS-103
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Specter |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying When Doomsday Specter comes into play, return a blue or black creature you control to its owner's hand. Whenever Doomsday Specter deals combat damage to a player, look at that player's hand and choose a card from it. The player discards that card.
Cards like Doomsday Specter
Doomsday Specter holds a unique place within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering discard effects. Likened to cards such as Hypnotic Specter, which also flies and forces discards upon dealing combat damage, Doomsday Specter elevates the mind-game with its additional gating ability. Unlike Hypnotic Specter, the Doomsday variant demands a specific mana alignment but compensates with the boon of choosing and discarding any card on hit, not at random.
Blizzard Specter enters the fray with an icy touch, offering both discard and bounce mechanisms, posing a versatile threat but lacking the poise to select opponents’ discarded cards like Doomsday Specter does. Liliana’s Specter, echoes the sentiment of a discard effect on entry rather than combat damage, offering up immediate impact in comparison to the deferred yet selective pressure Doomsday Specter applies.
Taking a closer look at these eerie apparitions, Doomsday Specter doesn’t just haunt the hand but also warps the battlefield with strategic depth. The gating mechanic grants it a peculiar resilience, making it a formidable asset for players looking to blend aggressive assault with tactical forethought in their Magic: The Gathering matches.
Cards similar to Doomsday Specter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Doomsday Specter presents a unique opportunity for players to disrupt their opponent’s hand while simultaneously drawing a card whenever it becomes blocked. This strategic interaction not only hampers your opponent’s plans but also refills your hand, maintaining or swinging card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: In decks focused on leveraging the bounce mechanic, Doomsday Specter can act as an enabler for resource acceleration. Each time it returns to your hand and you recast it, you’re potentially triggering enter-the-battlefield effects on other cards that ramp up your resources.
Instant Speed: While Doomsday Specter itself is not an instant, its return-to-hand feature can be effectively used during the declare blockers step. This allows savvy players to benefit from instant-speed effects and tricks in their deck, keeping the opponent guessing and on the defensive.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Doomsday Specter obliges the player to discard a card every time it becomes a target of a spell or ability. This prerequisite can be particularly troublesome when your hand is already dwindling, potentially giving your opponent an unintended edge.
Specific Mana Cost: With a strict mana requirement of one black and two blue, Doomsday Specter demands a dedicated color commitment. This can prove difficult for decks that operate on a multicolor scheme or those that cannot consistently produce the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment of four mana for Doomsday Specter can be steep, especially when evaluated against other creatures with comparable abilities. In the fast-paced context of modern gameplay, its cost might render it less favorable compared to lower-costing creatures that can be played earlier or with less mana commitment.
Reasons to Include Doomsday Specter in Your Collection
Versatility: Doomsday Specter offers flexible gameplay, lending itself to various deck types. As a creature card with evasive flying, it can be a strategic player in control or midrange decks looking for board presence.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that allow you to bounce it back to your hand, Doomsday Specter can be part of a recurring disruption combo, systematically forcing your opponent to discard cards each time you cast it with a bounce effect in play.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where opponents rely on carefully curated hands for their strategies, Doomsday Specter’s capability to upset an opponent’s plans makes it a compelling choice for players aiming to disrupt the current meta-game.
How to Beat
Doomsday Specter presents a unique challenge when it hits the MTG battlefield. This card brings powerful disruption tactics, leaving opponents struggling to maintain a strong hand. Tactically, it’s essential to undermine the Specter’s advantage which hinges on card advantage and control.
First, focus on hand replenishment mechanisms. Cards that allow you to draw plentifully will mitigate the impact of Doomsday Specter’s ability to force discards. Utilize instant-speed card draw to refill your hand on your terms, staying ahead in resources. Additionally, counter magic acts as a formidable weapon. Having counters ready ensures that when Doomsday Specter attempts to command the game, you can negate its effects, maintaining board dominance.
Lastly, consider leveraging graveyard retrieval. Several MTG strategies revolve around strategic discard alongside retrieval from the graveyard, turning Doomsday Specter’s ability into an unintended advantage for you. Remember that strategic deck construction and responsive gameplay are key to withstanding the pressure Doomsday Specter puts on your resources. Adaptability during gameplay will serve as your greatest ally in ensuring victory against this unpredictable adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Doomsday Specter MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Salvat 2005, 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 Doomsday Specter 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
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Printings
The Doomsday Specter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 103 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E13 | 2003 | Normal | White | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | PLS-103 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Doomsday Specter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Doomsday Specter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You choose the creature to return on resolution of the triggered ability. This is not targeted. |