Bishop of the Bloodstained MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 91
2020-09-26 - Number XLN-91
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Cleric |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Generates a life total swing in vampire-heavy decks making it a match-clinching card.
- Demand for specific mana makes it less flexible but influential in mono-black decks.
- Analyzed alongside similar cards, it’s a game-changer in vampire tribal strategies.
Text of card
When Bishop of the Bloodstained enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 1 life for each Vampire you control.
"They shall give us all they have as penance for their resistance. Their ships. Their goods. Their rebellious blood."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Bishop of the Bloodstained enters the battlefield, it has the potential to create a significant swing in life totals if you’re playing a vampire-heavy deck. This not only diminishes your opponent’s life but can also synergize with other cards that thrive on life loss or gain, adding implicit value and compounding your advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing traditional mana acceleration, the card itself acts as a catalyst for accelerating game tempo. As a late-game drop in vampire-focused decks, it can turn the tide by leveraging your existing board state. Accumulating a wide array of vampires before it lands can often lead to an accelerated path to victory.
Instant Speed: While Bishop of the Bloodstained doesn’t operate at instant speed, understanding its timing can be crucial. Playing it immediately after a board clear, for instance, where you bait your opponent into believing they are safe, can be just as pivotal as instant-speed interaction. This strategic deployment can catch opponents off guard and mimics the control one would have with instant speed options in certain scenarios.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Bishop of the Bloodstained demands an exacting combination of mana types to play—three generic and two black. This can be restrictive as it necessitates a dedicated mana base, which is particularly challenging in multicolored decks that may struggle to meet the dual black mana requirement consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ringing in at five mana total, this card’s cost is on the higher side, which could slow down your game plan. In a format where efficiency is key, some players may find the investment steep compared to other creatures or spells that offer immediate board impact or more significant payoffs for the mana spent.
Discard Requirement: While Bishop of the Bloodstained does not have a discard requirement, it’s worth noting that without additional vampire creatures on the battlefield, its ability may result in insufficient value. Players must balance their deck with enough vampires to maximize the potential life loss inflicted upon opponents upon the Bishop’s entry, which may lead to suboptimal deck construction choices.
Reasons to Include Bishop of the Bloodstained in Your Collection
Versatility: Bishop of the Bloodstained slips seamlessly into Commander decks centered around vampires or those featuring black as a main color. Its ability to cause loss of life scales with the number of vampires you control, making it adaptable to various board states.
Combo Potential: In decks overflowing with vampire synergy, Bishop of the Bloodstained can be the linchpin in a devastating combo, potentially draining opponents in a single swoop when combined with token generation and duplication effects.
Meta-Relevance: With its specific tribal focus, Bishop of the Bloodstained demands attention in a meta where tribal themes are prevalent or in multiplayer games where life totals can be high. This card provides a significant shift in life advantage when timed correctly.
How to Beat
Bishop of the Bloodstained presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. This vampire cleric card is a powerhouse in any vampire-themed deck, capitalizing on the number of vampires you control. When it hits the field, your opponent loses life equal to the total number of vampires you command, which can be a pivotal turn in the game.
To counter the Bishop’s impact, keep the board clear of vampires. Utilize removal spells aggressively, targeting your opponent’s vampires as they are cast. This minimizes the life loss when the Bishop of the Bloodstained enters the battlefield. Board sweepers like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act are particularly effective at keeping vampire numbers in check.
Additionally, focus on maintaining a strong defensive line. Creatures with high toughness or those that offer lifelink can provide the necessary buffer to survive the life loss triggered by the Bishop. Lastly, be proactive; pressure your opponent so they’re forced to play defensively, reducing their ability to amass a vampire army. Controlling the flow of the game is key to overpowering Bishop of the Bloodstained’s effect.
Cards like Bishop of the Bloodstained
Bishop of the Bloodstained is a compelling card for fans of Vampire tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to other cards that offer benefits upon entering the battlefield, such as Gray Merchant of Asphodel, fondly known as Gary in the player community. Both cards depend on the number of certain types of permanents you control – Bishop leverages the number of Vampires, while Gary counts your devotion to black.
Another analogous card is Malakir Bloodwitch, which also provides a life drain effect based on the number of Vampires under your command. However, unlike Bishop of the Bloodstained, it also offers pro-white protection, which can be pivotal in certain matchups. Vona’s Hunger is a distinctly different approach, though still in the Vampire sphere, presenting a more controlled board impact by forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures.
It’s essential when comparing these options to consider how they fit into your deck strategy. Bishop of the Bloodstained delivers a direct and often game-ending blow in a dedicated Vampire deck, marking its distinct role. Each card serves a specific purpose, and understanding these nuances is key to mastering the complexities of Magic: The Gathering gameplay strategies.
Cards similar to Bishop of the Bloodstained by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bishop of the Bloodstained MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and The List, 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 Bishop of the Bloodstained 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 Bishop of the Bloodstained Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2017-09-29. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bishop of the Bloodstained has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bishop of the Bloodstained card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | The number of Vampires you control is counted only as Bishop of the Bloodstained’s ability resolves. If Bishop of the Bloodstained is still on the battlefield, it’ll count itself. |
