Killer Service MTG Card


Killer Service grants card advantage and flexible mana acceleration to outpace opponents in MTG matches. Instant speed casting allows strategic responses and turn optimization, enhancing gameplay dynamics. Consider its discard cost and color-specific mana requirements when integrating into your deck strategy.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Food

Text of card

When Killer Service enters the battlefield, create a number of Food tokens equal to the number of opponents you have. (They're artifacts with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.") At the beginning of your end step, you may pay and sacrifice a token. If you do, create a 4/4 green Rhino Warrior creature token.


Cards like Killer Service

Killer Service, as an intriguing example of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, has some close relatives in terms of functionality. Consider Go for the Throat, an efficient creature elimination tool that’s aimed at non-artifact creatures. Killer Service, however, elevates the removal game by providing a broader range of targets since it’s capable of dispatching service creatures that might otherwise not be caught by more specific removal spells.

Another spell worth noting is Murder. This card offers an unconditional creature takedown, much like Killer Service. The primary difference is that while Murder is straightforward and versatile, Killer Service has the added bonus of potentially bolstering your forces by recruiting the destroyed service creature. In contrast, more specialized spells such as Doom Blade, come with restrictions, targeting only nonblack creatures and thus limiting the flexibility found in Killer Service.

Analyzing these comparisons, Killer Service competently holds its ground in the suite of creature removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. It combines the directness of Murder with an added strategic layer that can tip the scales mid-game by capturing a service creature for your own use, enhancing its tactical appeal among similar MTG cards.

Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Killer Service by color, type and mana cost

Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Wanderlust - MTG Card versions
Thelon's Chant - MTG Card versions
Maddening Wind - MTG Card versions
Cycle of Life - MTG Card versions
Dense Foliage - MTG Card versions
Hall of Gemstone - MTG Card versions
Fecundity - MTG Card versions
Familiar Ground - MTG Card versions
Momentum - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Mask - MTG Card versions
Broken Fall - MTG Card versions
Verdant Field - MTG Card versions
Lure - MTG Card versions
Food Chain - MTG Card versions
Howling Moon - MTG Card versions
The Dragon-Kami Reborn // Dragon-Kami's Egg - MTG Card versions
Squirrel Nest - MTG Card versions
Overwhelming Instinct - MTG Card versions
Alpha Status - MTG Card versions
Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Wanderlust - MTG Card versions
Thelon's Chant - MTG Card versions
Maddening Wind - MTG Card versions
Cycle of Life - MTG Card versions
Dense Foliage - MTG Card versions
Hall of Gemstone - MTG Card versions
Fecundity - MTG Card versions
Familiar Ground - MTG Card versions
Momentum - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Mask - MTG Card versions
Broken Fall - MTG Card versions
Verdant Field - MTG Card versions
Lure - MTG Card versions
Food Chain - MTG Card versions
Howling Moon - MTG Card versions
The Dragon-Kami Reborn // Dragon-Kami's Egg - MTG Card versions
Squirrel Nest - MTG Card versions
Overwhelming Instinct - MTG Card versions
Alpha Status - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Killer Service provides a strategic edge by replacing itself in your hand, thus maintaining a healthy card flow and keeping your options varied during critical moments of the match.

Resource Acceleration: This card boosts your mana resources efficiently, helping you deploy bigger threats quicker than your opponent expects, effectively tipping the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Killer Service at instant speed offers flexibility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s moves effectively or optimize your own strategy at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Killer Service demands players to discard a card upon activation. This cost arguably impedes your hand, potentially causing you to relinquish valuable resources which might be crucial for maintaining your strategy throughout the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a strict mana requirement which can be a stumbling block in decks that aren’t aligned with the color identity. This specificity can hinder the card’s versatility and limit the variety of decks it can efficiently operate in.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side, Killer Service might not be as cost-effective compared to other cards with similar effects. This could be a strategic disadvantage especially in fast-paced games where efficiency and speed are paramount for success.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Killer Service card offers a level of flexibility that can seamlessly slot into multiple deck archetypes. From control to aggro, its utility in dealing with a variety of threats makes it a staple for any strategic player.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with other pieces to create devastating effects on the game board. Whether it’s unlocking a powerful creature or enabling a game-winning play, its synergistic traits can turn the tide of any match.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting dynamics of competitive play, the Killer Service card remains relevant by adjusting to numerous meta environments. Its presence can counter popular deck builds and its adaptability keeps it as a consistently strong choice in tournament play.


How to Beat Killer Service

The Killer Service card in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique puzzle for many players. At its core, it’s a formidable card that can disrupt the usual pace of a game, much like other formidable spells that control or shut down an opponent’s strategy. To overcome this particular card, understanding its mechanics and potential weaknesses is critical.

For starters, countering Killer Service begins before it’s even played. Pay close attention to the cards that your opponent is accumulating and the mana they have available. Efficient use of counter spells can nip the problem in the bud before it spirals out of control. Similarly, playing cards that restrict the casting of noncreature spells, or cards like Pithing Needle that can target specific abilities, can also prove to be a thorn in the side for players leveraging Killer Service.

Moreover, emphasizing speed and flexibility in your game plan can mitigate the impact of Killer Service. Quick, aggressive creatures and strategies that favor resilience and recovery can outpace the dictating rhythm that Killer Service tries to establish. In essence, pre-emptive planning and adaptability are key components in countering the icy grip of Killer Service on the battleground.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an art, and every card like Killer Service offers unique advantages that can elevate your game. With its card draw efficiency, instant speed, and mana acceleration, it can be a pivotal addition to various deck builds. Yet, one must also weigh the cost of discarding and color specificity. For competitive players, staying ahead of the meta is crucial and Killer Service caters to this need with its flexibility and combo potential. Ready to refine your collection and strategy with insights on essential cards, countering tips, and more? Let BurnMana guide you to your next match victory. Learn more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Killer Service MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and New Capenna Commander, 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 Killer Service and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Killer Service Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 998452015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1612015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
32022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 612015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
42024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1742015NormalBlackSimon Dominic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Killer Service has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 As Killer Service's second ability resolves, you may sacrifice any token, not just a Food token.