Barter in Blood MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Creates card advantage by forcing players to sacrifice two creatures, which can tilt the game’s balance.
  2. Can act as resource acceleration by removing blockers, allowing for more aggressive strategies.
  3. Immediate game impact is akin to instant-speed spells when played at the right moment.

Text of card

Each player sacrifices two creatures.

"In the game of conquest, who cares about the pawns if the king yet reigns?" —Geth, keeper of the Vault


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barter in Blood is adept at creating card advantage by compelling each player to sacrifice two creatures. In a carefully constructed deck, this can disproportionately affect your opponent, stripping away their key pieces while leaving your position intact or even stronger if you’ve planned for such an eventuality.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, Barter in Blood can serve as resource acceleration by clearing the board of potential blockers or threats. This, in turn, accelerates your path to victory by allowing your remaining creatures to strike through or leverage board control into turns where you can deploy your hand more freely.

Instant Speed: Although Barter in Blood operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game can be as significant as that of an instant. By timing the spell after your opponent has overcommitted to the board or before you unveil your game-changing creatures, you ensure maximum benefit and disrupt your opponent’s plans at a crucial moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Barter in Blood does not require a discard, it necessitates each player to sacrifice two creatures which can be particularly detrimental if you’re ahead on the board or rely on a key creature for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination to cast: two black, which might not be seamlessly integrated into decks that aren’t heavily focused on black mana or multicolored decks that stretch resources thin across various mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana to play, Barter in Blood may come into action later than desired. Given that tempo is crucial in many games, the cost sets a pace that might not align with aggressive or fast playstyles, and more efficient creature removal options might be available at a lower cost point.


Reasons to Include Barter in Blood Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Barter in Blood is a potent inclusion in decks that aim to control the board. Its ability to force each player to sacrifice two creatures can shift the tide of the game, especially in formats where creatures play a central role.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on death triggers or benefit from having creatures in the graveyard, amplifying its impact beyond the initial two-for-two trade.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by creature-centric decks, Barter in Blood rises as a crucial answer to swarm strategies and can effectively deal with hexproof or indestructible threats that are otherwise difficult to remove.


How to beat

Barter in Blood is a challenging hurdle to overcome for players who rely on creating a wide board presence with creatures. This sorcery forces each player to sacrifice two creatures, which can drastically alter the battlefield dynamic. To effectively navigate around Barter in Blood, maintaining a reserve of creature tokens or expendable creatures is key. This strategy ensures that when the card is played, the impact on your side is minimized.

An alternative tactic is utilizing instant-speed spells or abilities that can either counter the spell or sacrifice creatures for a benefit in response. Holding up mana for such interactions can provide a safety net against this destructive card. Additionally, having a robust creature with indestructible or protection from black attributes could nullify Barter in Blood’s potential blow to your gameplay. Understanding when to commit creatures to the board versus when to hold back is an essential skill in predicting and thwarting your opponent’s attempt at using Barter in Blood to their advantage.

Deck strategies that function well with fewer creatures or rely on non-creature spells are inherently less susceptible to disturbance by Barter in Blood. Therefore, crafting your playing style and deck composition with resilience in mind will keep you one step ahead of this powerful clearing card.


Cards like Barter in Blood

Barter in Blood is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that forces each player to sacrifice two creatures. Its strength lies in its ability to shift the battlefield’s balance, particularly when an opponent has a superior creature presence. As we look at comparable cards, Innocent Blood emerges as a notable one. This card also compels each player to sacrifice a creature but only requires a single creature and costs less mana. However, the impact of Innocent Blood is less substantial when facing multiple threats.

Moving to another similar card, we encounter Smallpox. This multifaceted spell not only causes each player to sacrifice a creature but also discard a card, lose life, and sacrifice a land. Its diverse effects can dismantle an opponent’s strategy across multiple resources. While Smallpox’s initial impact is less focused on the creature aspect than Barter in Blood, it disrupts opponents on a broader spectrum and at a lower mana cost.

Delving into these comparisons, Barter in Blood stands out for its strong crowd control in games. Its ability to clear out pairs of creatures from the battlefield elevates it to be an especially compelling choice in decks that can mitigate or take advantage of the high sacrifice requirement.

Innocent Blood - MTG Card versions
Smallpox - MTG Card versions
Innocent Blood - Odyssey (ODY)
Smallpox - Time Spiral (TSP)

Cards similar to Barter in Blood by color, type and mana cost

Stench of Evil - MTG Card versions
Fatal Lore - MTG Card versions
Mind Warp - MTG Card versions
Final Strike - MTG Card versions
Persecute - MTG Card versions
Ancient Craving - MTG Card versions
Unmask - MTG Card versions
Reprocess - MTG Card versions
Befoul - MTG Card versions
Mutilate - MTG Card versions
Extinction Event - MTG Card versions
Terisiare's Devastation - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Cranial Extraction - MTG Card versions
Aphetto Dredging - MTG Card versions
Agonizing Memories - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Memoricide - MTG Card versions
Massacre - MTG Card versions
All Hallow's Eve - MTG Card versions
Stench of Evil - Ice Age (ICE)
Fatal Lore - Alliances (ALL)
Mind Warp - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Final Strike - Portal (POR)
Persecute - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Ancient Craving - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
Unmask - From the Vault: Lore (V16)
Reprocess - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Befoul - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Mutilate - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Extinction Event - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Terisiare's Devastation - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Zombify - Masters 25 (A25)
Cranial Extraction - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Aphetto Dredging - Premium Deck Series: Slivers (H09)
Agonizing Memories - Tenth Edition (10E)
Diabolic Tutor - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Memoricide - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Massacre - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
All Hallow's Eve - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barter in Blood MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic, 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 Barter in Blood and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Barter in Blood Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 572003normalblackPaolo Parente
22009-04-10Duel Decks: Divine vs. DemonicDDC 522003normalblackPaolo Parente
32011-05-14Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New PhyrexiaTD2 762003normalblackPaolo Parente
42012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 852003normalblackEric Deschamps
52014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. DemonicDVD 522015normalblackPaolo Parente
62015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1152015normalblackEric Deschamps
72016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 522015normalblackEric Deschamps
82017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 482015normalblackEric Deschamps
92020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2022015normalblackEric Deschamps
102023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 252015normalblackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barter in Blood has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barter in Blood card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2012-05-01 Barter in Blood doesn’t target any creatures and may be cast even if a player controls fewer than two creatures.
2012-05-01 If a player controls only one creature, that creature is sacrificed.
2012-05-01 The active player chooses which creatures will be sacrificed first, then each other player in turn order does the same. Then all creatures are sacrificed simultaneously.

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