Cry of Contrition MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Haunt
Released	2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Guildpact
Set code	GPT
Number	46
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daren Bader

Key Takeaways

Forces multiple discards through its haunt trigger, affecting opponent’s strategy over turns.
Instant speed haunt effect surprises opponents, adding layers of strategic depth.
Mana restrictions and delayed payoff are trade-offs for Cry of Contrition’s unique mechanics.

Text of card

Target player discards a card. Haunt (When this spell card is put into a graveyard after resolving, remove it from the game haunting target creature.) When the creature Cry of Contrition haunts is put into a graveyard, target player discards a card.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cry of Contrition grants the ability to potentially discard multiple cards from an opponent’s hand. Initially targeting when it’s cast, and once again should its haunt trigger go off. This can be strategically significant in whittling down an opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana resources, this card disrupts the opponent’s hand, indirectly accelerating your position by setting them back. It is especially potent in decks designed around discard mechanics, leveraging the loss of your opponent’s resources to your advantage.

Instant Speed: Although Cry of Contrition is a sorcery, its haunt mechanic allows for a second discard effect at instant speed upon the death of the haunted creature. This provides a dual-layer of utility and ensures that you remain a threat even outside of your own turn, further disrupting your opponent’s game plan when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Cry of Contrition mtg card necessitates a target opponent discarding a card. This action is strategic at times, but not always advantageous. If your opponent has a way to benefit from discard or an empty hand, the card may inadvertently help them rather than hinder.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana, which could limit deck-building options. Those looking to incorporate this into their deck must have access to black mana sources, which might not synergize with other strategies or color requirements of the deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While one black mana might seem economical, its Haunt mechanic, which can trigger the discard effect a second time, relies on the creature it haunts to die. This condition often results in a delayed and uncertain payoff, and the initial effect may not justify the slot in a deck when compared to other discard options available.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cry of Contrition has a broad application in decks that capitalize on discard mechanics or those looking to leverage graveyard synergies. Its haunt ability allows you to use its effect twice, once on cast and again when the haunted creature dies, giving you added utility.

Combo Potential: This card can be a cog in engine decks, initiating a cascade of graveyard-triggered abilities or complimenting sacrifice strategies. It’s an enabler for cards looking for targets in opponents’ graveyards or benefits from opponents having fewer options in hand.

Meta-Relevance: With decks that rely on precise hands or combo pieces, Cry of Contrition can disrupt those strategies efficiently. It’s well-suited to environments where stripping key cards from opponents early can lead to significant advantages.

How to beat

Cry of Contrition holds a unique position within Magic the Gathering as a tool for resource disruption. Its ability to force opponents to discard not only chips away at their available options but can potentially hinder their strategy over multiple turns through its haunting mechanic. Unlike other discard spells, such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, which offer a one-time effect, Cry of Contrition can apply pressure consistently, disrupting plans well beyond the initial cast.

To effectively counter Cry of Contrition, it is essential to consider the timing of your plays. Employ strategies that can either replenish your hand quickly or mitigate the impact of discard. Utilize instant-speed card draw spells or cards with flashback and other abilities that can be activated from the graveyard. Moreover, cards that allow you to gain card advantage or establish a substantial board presence early on can help offset the tempo Cry of Contrition aims to disrupt. Another key tactic is to maintain a hand with a mix of vital and less crucial cards, minimizing the spell’s impact by carefully selecting what to discard when it’s cast.

Ultimately, anticipating Cry of Contrition and adapting your playstyle around it is crucial for minimizing its effect and maintaining control over the game’s flow. By doing so, you’ll neutralize its potential to disrupt your strategy and continue forging your path to victory.

Cards like Cry of Contrition

Cry of Contrition holds its own within the cadre of hand disruption spells in the game. It’s akin to other spells like Duress, which also aims to strip opponents of noncreature, nonland cards in their hand. However, Cry of Contrition has the haunt mechanic, giving it a second life once the creature it haunts dies. Unlike Duress, Cry of Contrition can potentially disrupt opponents’ hands twice.

Thoughtseize is another spell that allows for a wider range of targets including any nonland card, at the cost of 2 life. Although it doesn’t have haunt, its upfront precision and the ability to take creatures as well makes it a formidable comparison. Then there’s Inquisition of Kozilek, with the limitation of only taking cards with a converted mana cost of 3 or less. It doesn’t have a life cost or a recurring ability, but the lower mana requirement can be pivotal in early game disruption strategies.

These hand-attack spells all play distinct roles, and the usage of one over the others can greatly depend on the specific deck and strategy. Cry of Contrition stands out with its haunt ability, acting as a resilient force in the pursuit of depleting an opponent’s hand.

Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cry of Contrition by color, type and mana cost

Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions

Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cry of Contrition MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Cry of Contrition and other MTG cards: