Bloody Betrayal MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Instant speed allows for unpredictable plays, swinging momentum in your favor during combat.
  2. A Treasure token from the attack fuels future spellcasting, accelerating your mana resources.
  3. Discarding to cast is costly, yet it’s a powerful addition for red-focused, reactive strategies.

Text of card

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Create a Blood token. (It's an artifact with ", , Discard a card, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bloody Betrayal offers the strategic upper hand by transferring temporary control of a creature, potentially allowing for a surprise block or an unexpected attack, putting your opponent at a disadvantage.

Resource Acceleration: As part of its effect, Bloody Betrayal gives you a Treasure token after the creature attacks, contributing to your resource pool and speeding up your ability to cast more expensive spells.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Bloody Betrayal at instant speed adds a tactical layer to your gameplay, enabling you to make pivotal decisions reactively and adapt to battlefield changes on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Bloody Betrayal, discarding a card is part of the casting cost. This mechanic can be a setback if you’re already behind in card advantage or if each card in your hand is critical to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost demands red mana specifically, which inherently restricts its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce red mana. For those running multi-color decks without a heavy focus on red, this might pose a consistency problem.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card has a mana cost that is significant when compared to other cards that can create a similar impact on the game state. Players often seek lower mana-cost cards to optimize efficiency and gameplay dynamics, potentially sidelining Bloody Betrayal in favor of more cost-effective options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bloody Betrayal offers a unique function that allows for creative plays in various deck builds. It shines in situations where taking temporary control of an opponent’s creature can turn the tide of the game.

Combo Potential: This card can be the linchpin in a combo, effectively turning an opponent’s strength against them. Additionally, synergizing with sacrifice outlets, it allows for devastating one-turn plays.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, cards that can disrupt an opponent’s carefully laid plans grow in prominence. Bloody Betrayal fits well into a meta that rewards cunning and adaptable strategies.


How to beat

Bloody Betrayal stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a card that can temporarily snatch away an opponent’s creature, potentially swinging the game. While this act of treachery can be devastating, understanding its weaknesses is key to countering it effectively. Primarily, cards that grant hexproof to your creatures bar the Betrayal from even targeting them, nullifying its effect. Additionally, swift removal in response to the Betrayal can ensure your opponent gains no advantage, effectively wasting their spell.

Tactics such as keeping mana open for instant-speed interaction allows players to respond logically to the Betrayal attempt. Moreover, playing around this card by not over-committing your most valuable creatures on the board when your opponent has untapped mana suggestive of a trick up their sleeve is essential. Board wipes post-Betrayal also serve to reset the board, eliminating the threat. Lastly, implementing cards that trigger upon a creature leaving the battlefield helps to mitigate the loss and even turn the tables to your benefit. Thus, while Bloody Betrayal is undoubtedly potent, it’s not unstoppable when you’re prepared.


BurnMana Recommendations

The art of MTG is in both the cards you play and the strategy behind them. Bloody Betrayal stands as a card that presents both opportunities and challenges. Its synergies and interactions in your deck can define thrilling victories, but they must be balanced against potential drawbacks. Recognizing the right moment to include this card in your collection is crucial, especially if your playstyle aligns with its unique mechanics. For those ready to harness the power of a well-timed Bloody Betrayal or counter it effectively, we’re here to guide you through its complexities. Let’s delve deeper into making this card work for you or against your foes. Learn more with us and embrace the strategic depth of MTG.


Cards like Bloody Betrayal

Bloody Betrayal carves its niche in the realm of control magic within Magic: The Gathering. Its playstyle brings to mind the characteristics of Act of Treason, which also temporarily seizes control of an opponent’s creature. Despite the similarities, Bloody Betrayal demands an additional cost – sacrificing the stolen creature at the next end step. This diverges from Act of Treason’s straightforward approach and adds a layer of strategic depth.

Acknowledging the synergy between sacrificial mechanics and temporary control effects leads us to Harness by Force. This card mirrors the functionality of Bloody Betrayal, with the ability to snatch creatures, though it’s more versatile in targeting multiple threats at an increased expense. While Harness by Force lacks the built-in requirement to sacrifice, it leaves room for flexible interactions within a match.

Assessing Bloody Betrayal against its peers, we see its unique fit in strategies that exploit both the power of the opponent’s creatures and the advantages of sacrifice synergies. It might not be as universally applicable as Act of Treason or as modifiable as Harness by Force, but in the correct scenario, Bloody Betrayal offers a compelling option for players seeking to leverage each game move for maximum gain.

Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Harness by Force - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - Magic 2010 (M10)
Harness by Force - Journey into Nyx (JOU)

Cards similar to Bloody Betrayal by color, type and mana cost

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Game of Chaos - Ice Age (ICE)
Evaporate - Homelands (HML)
Steam Blast - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Goblin Offensive - Urza's Saga (USG)
Desert Sandstorm - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Arc Lightning - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Pillage - Arena League 2000 (PAL00)
Search for Survivors - Prophecy (PCY)
Searing Rays - Invasion (INV)
Rupture - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Tundra Fumarole - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Browbeat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Erratic Explosion - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Threaten - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sizzle - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hammer of Bogardan - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Fiery Gambit - Mirrodin (MRD)
Flamebreak - Darksteel (DST)
Panic Attack - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bloody Betrayal MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Bloody Betrayal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bloody Betrayal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Brian Valeza.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 1472015normalblackBrian Valeza
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4142015normalblackBrian Valeza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bloody Betrayal has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

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