Markov Retribution MTG Card


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

Key Takeaways

  1. Markov Retribution provides card advantage by generating multiple tokens, thus enhancing board presence.
  2. It allows for instant strategic reactions and ramps up offensive play without extra mana cost.
  3. Downsides include a specific mana cost, high mana investment, and the necessity to discard a card.

Text of card

Choose one or both — • Creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn. • Target Vampire you control deals damage equal to its power to another target creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Markov Retribution can create multiple creature tokens, supplying players with an army in a single card and tipping the scales toward overwhelming board presence.

Resource Acceleration: As it puts creatures into play, it ramps up your offensive capabilities without the need for additional mana expenditure in subsequent turns, essentially accelerating your resource deployment.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Markov Retribution at instant speed offers strategic versatility, allowing players to respond to threats or strengthen their board at the most opportune moment during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Markov Retribution demands a card discard to activate its full potential. This can cause a strategic setback when your hand size is dwindling and each card value is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a strict set of mana colors to cast, this card’s cost is bound to black and red. This limitation means it may not easily fit into multi-colored decks that don’t run on these mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana to summon and utilize effectively, Markov Retribution can be considered costly. This makes it a potential liability in swift-paced games where efficiency and speed are key.


Reasons to Include Markov Retribution in Your Collection

Versatility: Markov Retribution offers a broad appeal for a variety of deck builds. Primarily aimed at Vampire tribal decks, it can also find a place in strategies that rely on token generation and boosting creature abilities.

Combo Potential: This card has significant synergy with other vampire-themed cards, enabling powerful combos that capitalize on +1/+1 counters and the creation of vampire tokens to escalate your board presence rapidly.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-based aggro decks frequently populating the meta, Markov Retribution can help give your vampire army the edge they need, potentially altering the state of play to your advantage with its strategic buffing capabilities.


How to Beat Markov Retribution

Understanding the nuances of Markov Retribution is pivotal for players looking to maintain control over the battlefield. This vampiric enchantment may seem intimidating with its ability to empower a coven of vampires, granting them an additional bite during your turn. However, like any powerful card, it has its weaknesses that can be exploited. Mitigating Markov Retribution’s impact can be achieved through strategic removal. Spells that clear the board or target enchantments directly can dismantle the synergy it provides. Look to cards like Naturalize or Disenchant to remove Markov Retribution from play swiftly, disarming your opponent’s strategy.

Timing is also integral when facing cards like Markov Retribution. Being preemptive in countering your opponent’s moves will pay dividends. Instant speed removal spells or counterspells like Negate can nullify the threat before it gains momentum, keeping the vampires in check. Additionally, maintaining pressure on your opponent’s life total may force them to commit resources defensively, making their game plan with Markov Retribution less effective.

Lastly, adjusting your deck to include efficient lifegain mechanics can dilute the potency of an aggro strategy fueled by Markov Retribution. Ensuring a stable defense will increase your resilience against the onslaught, giving you the upper hand in the long game. By disrupting the enchantment, acting swiftly, and sustaining your defenses, you can confidently claim victory over the undead menace that is Markov Retribution.


Cards like Markov Retribution

Markov Retribution stands as a noteworthy option among vampire tribal cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to strengthen vampire creatures and deal damage to opponents ties closely with characteristics seen in cards like Stensia Masquerade. Stensia Masquerade bolsters vampires by granting them first strike and a power boost when they deal combat damage to a player. However, Markov Retribution offers an immediate impact by potentially damaging multiple opponents when your vampires attack.

Another card worth comparing is Urge to Feed, which also empowers vampires and has the utility to cause a loss of life. While Urge to Feed focuses on a single target and boosts vampire creatures’ toughness, Markov Retribution emphasizes widespread impact and increases attack power, fostering a more aggressive gameplay. Additionally, we observe similarities with Sorin’s Thirst, which provides direct damage and life gain, yet it lacks the tribal synergy that is central to Markov Retribution’s design.

These comparisons highlight the unique position of Markov Retribution in the realm of vampire-supporting cards. Its blend of aggression, reach, and tribal enhancement offers a valuable tactic to players leveraging vampire-themed decks, setting it apart as a solid inclusion in such strategies.

Stensia Masquerade - MTG Card versions
Urge to Feed - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Thirst - MTG Card versions
Stensia Masquerade - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Urge to Feed - Worldwake (WWK)
Sorin's Thirst - Magic 2012 (M12)

Cards similar to Markov Retribution 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 Markov Retribution 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 Markov Retribution and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Markov Retribution Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 1712015normalblackUriah Voth
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4382015normalblackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Markov Retribution has restrictions

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

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