Eyeblight Massacre MTG Card


Eyeblight Massacre offers card advantage by weakening opponents’ creatures, enhancing your board position. Its instant speed allows for surprise plays, disrupting opponent strategies during critical phases. The card demands precise mana, posing a deck-building challenge but rewarding strategic play.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Non-Elf creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn.

"I've already seen so much evil, so much darkness. Why do you insist on adding more?" —Nissa Revane, to Dwynen


Cards like Eyeblight Massacre

Eyeblight Massacre holds its unique position in Magic: The Gathering as a potent spell for controlling the board. Its nearest relatives include cards like Drown in Sorrow, which similarly affects creatures on the board with a -2/-2 debuff. Eyeblight Massacre, however, specifically targets non-Elf creatures, making it a more selective sweep in elf-heavy decks.

Drown in Sorrow offers a scry 1 bonus, providing slight deck manipulation in addition to its creature-debilitating effect. Eyeblight Massacre forgoes the scry but compensates with tribal synergy. Languish is another comparable four-mana sorcery that gives all creatures -4/-4 until end of turn. While it is more powerful in clearing resilient creatures, it lacks the tribal distinction that can be leveraged in specific deck builds.

Assessing Eyeblight Massacre in the context of its peers, it’s the preferred choice in Elf-centric strategies where pinpoint precision against non-Elf creatures provides an undeniable edge. The card’s ability to bypass your own elves makes it a strategic selection in creature-dense formats.

Drown in Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions
Drown in Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Eyeblight Massacre by color, type and mana cost

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Massacre - MTG Card versions
Stench of Evil - MTG Card versions
Fatal Lore - MTG Card versions
Mind Warp - MTG Card versions
Final Strike - MTG Card versions
Persecute - MTG Card versions
Ancient Craving - MTG Card versions
Unmask - MTG Card versions
Reprocess - MTG Card versions
Befoul - MTG Card versions
Agonizing Memories - MTG Card versions
Mutilate - MTG Card versions
Extinction Event - MTG Card versions
Terisiare's Devastation - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Cranial Extraction - MTG Card versions
Devouring Greed - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Aphetto Dredging - MTG Card versions
Memoricide - MTG Card versions
Massacre - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eyeblight Massacre has the intrinsic ability to act as a pseudo card advantage by crippling an opponent’s board presence. By reducing the power and toughness of your opponent’s creatures, you effectively diminish their resources while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: Although Eyeblight Massacre doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it serves as a catalyst for resource acceleration by clearing the way for your creatures to attack and potentially trigger various abilities that advance your board state and mana efficiency.

Instant Speed: The true might of Eyeblight Massacre lies in its ability to be cast at instant speed. This flexibility enables strategic players to disrupt their opponents during critical phases of the game, such as before they declare attackers or in response to creature buffs, thus providing a tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Eyeblight Massacre requires a precise combination of mana, including black, which could restrict its inclusion only to decks that can consistently produce the necessary colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of four, including two black, the card can be considered somewhat expensive for the effect of giving all non-Elf creatures -2/-2 until end of turn. Other sweepers or removal spells in MTG may offer similar effects at a lower cost or with additional benefits.

Discard Requirement: Although Eyeblight Massacre does not have a discard requirement itself, its higher mana cost can necessitate holding it in hand until the right moment, potentially forcing a player to discard other valuable cards due to hand size limits.


Reasons to Include Eyeblight Massacre in Your Collection

Versatility: Eyeblight Massacre is a sweeper that can seamlessly make its way into various types of decks, particularly those seeking to control the board by weakening swarms of creature tokens or diminutive threats frequently seen in aggressive builds.

Combo Potential: This card works wonders in synergistic setups, pairing well with effects that trigger upon the death of creatures, such as morbid or blood artist-like effects. Many strategies can capitalize on this mass removal event for added advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving metagame, if you’re facing a multitude of elf decks or token-centric opponents, Eyeblight Massacre can provide a significant edge. Its ability to clear multiple targets with a single cast ensures your deck stays relevant and capable of staving off small threats that aim to overrun the board.


How to beat

Eyeblight Massacre poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, known for its punishing effect on non-Elf creatures. To overcome this card effectively, it’s essential to either utilize creatures with toughness beyond its -2/-2 reach or resort to protection tactics through counterspells and hexproof. Another effective strategy is swiftly building a substantial board presence before Eyeblight Massacre can be cast, thereby reducing its overall impact.

Deck resilience plays a pivotal role when facing Eyeblight Massacre. Incorporating undying or persist creatures ensures that your board can quickly recover. Cards that bolster your creatures’ toughness or those that give indestructible until the end of the turn can also be invaluable in safeguarding your side of the board. Furthermore, employing instant-speed removal can disrupt your opponent’s elves, potentially stifling their own strategy.

In essence, fortifying against Eyeblight Massacre requires thoughtful deck construction and strategic gameplay. By anticipating its arrival and preparing counters, players can ensure this sweeping force is less of a massacre and more of a mild inconvenience.


BurnMana Recommendations

Now that we’ve dissected Eyeblight Massacre’s strategic value and potential drawbacks, it’s clear this card can be a game-changer in the right deck. Whether you’re controlling the board against numerous threats or using it as a combo catalyst, this card creates opportunities for board dominance. For those strategizing against it, toughness buffs and strategic creature choices are vital. Our insights don’t end here. For MTG players eager to further their deckbuilding prowess or outmaneuver opponents, we have a wealth of tips and guides available. Dive deeper into the synergies and counterplays of Eyeblight Massacre and become adept at wielding its power or countering its wrath. Learn more with us and enhance your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eyeblight Massacre MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Commander Legends, 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 Eyeblight Massacre and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eyeblight Massacre Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 962015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1252015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 492015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eyeblight Massacre has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 Eyeblight Massacre affects only creatures that aren't Elves at the time it resolves. Creatures that enter the battlefield later in the turn won't get -2/-2, and creatures that become Elves or stop being Elves won't get or lose -2/-2.