Mephidross Vampire MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 53
2023-11-17 - Number 4
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Mephidross Vampire’s unique static ability can quickly create an overwhelming Vampire army on your side.
- Its synergy with counter-generative decks can lead to vicious combat abilities and hastened victories.
- Despite its power, its high mana cost and color specifics may limit its playability in diverse decks.
Text of card
Flying Each creature you control is a Vampire in addition to its other creature types and has "Whenever this creature deals damage to a creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mephidross Vampire offers a unique form of card advantage in that each creature turned into a Vampire provides a potential increase in your board presence. This can quickly snowball, helping you to outpace your opponent in terms of creatures on the field.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly linked to mana, by converting other creatures into Vampires under your control, the card indirectly contributes to resource acceleration. Every new Vampire creature that shares the battlefield with Mephidross Vampire becomes a more powerful asset, potentially leading to more powerful plays and a swifter victory.
Instant Speed: This creature, with its capabilities, can alter the pace of the game. Even though Mephidross Vampire itself isn’t an instant, its static ability has an instantaneous effect on combat, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments during battles which can catch an opponent off-guard and strategically alter the outcome of conflicts.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mephidross Vampire’s abilities do not sync well in a deck facing discard strategies that deplete your hand, reducing the benefit you can reap from its creature-buffing trait.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a restrictive mana cost that includes black mana, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-black or black-heavy decks, which could stymie its viability in more diverse mana base decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a six mana cost to get Mephidross Vampire onto the battlefield, some players may find it cumbersome compared to lower-cost creatures that provide immediate board presence or effects that impact the game sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mephidross Vampire is a powerful addition to any black-themed deck or a deck that capitalizes on counters and tokens. Its ability to turn any creature into a Vampire gives it a unique flexibility that can enhance numerous deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with creatures that benefit from dealing damage, such as those with lifelink or deathtouch. Its synergy with proliferate mechanics or +1/+1 counter strategies can swiftly tip the scales in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to dramatically alter the board state, Mephidross Vampire can be a game-changer in matches where creature combat is prominent. It holds its own in a variety of competitive settings, ensuring a place in decks that seek to utilize creature-based strategies.
How to beat
Mephidross Vampire is a formidable force on the battlefield. Its ability to turn other creatures into Vampires in addition to granting them counters whenever a creature deals damage can tip the scales quickly. This card synergizes exceptionally with decks that can proliferate or generate a multitude of creatures, amplifying its threat potential.
Confronting a Mephidross Vampire effectively requires a clear strategy. Removal spells that bypass its potential for creature transformation are paramount. Cards like Path to Exile, Swords to Plowshares, or even board wipe spells like Damnation, can cleanly deal with it before your opponent’s creatures become too overwhelming.
It’s also advisable to cut off the card’s synergy sources. By controlling the flow of creatures or negating the Vampire trait with cards like Crib Swap or Containment Priest, you can curb the strength of the Vampire and its allied creatures. These measures ensure that the power Mephidross Vampire can accumulate is significantly hindered, maintaining a level playing field.
Cards like Mephidross Vampire
Mephidross Vampire stands as a unique card within Magic: The Gathering, bearing certain resemblances to other notable vampire-themed cards. For instance, Captivating Vampire offers a means to take control of creatures by tapping vampires you control. However, unlike Mephidross Vampire, it doesn’t confer a blanket +1/+1 counter increase for your creatures when they deal damage to a creature.
Bloodline Keeper is another card in the same vein, able to create vampire tokens and, once transformed, it boosts other vampire creatures you control. Yet it lacks the powerful ability of Mephidross Vampire to make each of your creatures a vampire in addition to its original types and gift them with potential immortality through +1/+1 counters.
When comparing these cards, Mephidross Vampire distinguishes itself with its all-encompassing vampiric prowess, making it a formidable presence on the battlefield. Its unique blend of aggression and creature enhancement establishes it as an intriguing card for players looking to capitalize on a vampire-centric strategy within the realm of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Mephidross Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mephidross Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Special Guests, 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 Mephidross Vampire and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Mephidross Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | Special Guests | SPG | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Samuel Araya |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mephidross Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mephidross Vampire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | The triggered ability Mephidross Vampire grants to each creature you control triggers on any damage dealt to any creature, not just combat damage. |
