Killing Glare MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Number | 70 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Peter Mohrbacher |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power X or less.
A casual glance into a dark corner may be your last.
Cards like Killing Glare
Killing Glare stands as a unique spell in the realm of creature removal options within Magic: The Gathering. This card lets players pay X mana to destroy a target creature with power X or less, providing flexible and scalable removal. It’s an interesting comparison to cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, both of which offer a cost-effective way to remove creatures but are limited by specific conditions such as non-black or non-artifact creature restrictions.
Delving deeper into the realm of targeted destruction, we encounter Death Wind, which similarly allows the scaling of mana for -X/-X to a creature. The stark difference here is that Killing Glare outright destroys the creature, bypassing indestructible traits that might protect against simple reduction in power and toughness. Furthermore, compared to cards like Murder, which has a fixed cost without the scalability, Killing Glare provides strategists with the opportunity to dynamically allocate resources based on the current threat.
Ultimately, Killing Glare carves out its place with a versatile execution, offering control players a way to manage the battlefield more fluidly when compared to other single-target removal spells. Its place in decks hinges on a player’s desire for flexible response to varied threats throughout the game.
Cards similar to Killing Glare by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Killing Glare provides a decisive edge in controlling the battlefield. By enabling you to target and potentially remove a creature based on the amount of mana invested, it can lead to a favorable shift in board state, ultimately translating into card advantage as you diminish your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, the flexibility of Killing Glare allows for efficient use of available mana. Its scalable effect means you can adapt to both early game pressure by spending less mana and late-game threats by committing more resources, ensuring your mana base is utilized effectively throughout the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Killing Glare at instant speed grants you tactical flexibility. You can navigate through your opponent’s turn with open mana, deter attacks or eliminate creatures before they can fulfill their synergies or combat damage, putting you in a reactive and powerful stance as the game progresses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Killing Glare may leave players unable to respond to other threats. While controlling the board, the requirement to select and eliminate creatures one at a time can result in a net loss of advantage, especially if you’re already behind.
Specific Mana Cost: Killing Glare’s requirement of both black mana and generic mana makes it exclusively playable in black or black-inclusive decks. This specific need might not align with many deck strategies, limiting the card’s versatility across various gameplay styles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the cost to cast and the additional X mana needed to eliminate more formidable creatures, Killing Glare can become quite mana-intensive. Considering the output, there are alternative removal spells that offer more cost-effective solutions for maintaining board control.
Reasons to Include Killing Glare in Your Collection
Versatility: Killing Glare offers a targeted removal option that scales with your available mana. This means it can be adapted to remove both early-game threats and larger creatures later in the game, fitting seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes, specifically in black-focused control or midrange decks.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to remove creatures based on the amount of mana you pay allows for strategic plays, setting up the board for potential combos. With enough mana, it can pave the way for unobstructed attacks, or work in concert with cards that capitalize on creature deaths.
Meta-Relevance: As player decks become more creature-intensive, having a removal option like Killing Glare can be crucial. Its relevance increases in a meta filled with indestructible or hexproof creatures, as it provides a way to manage the board state without targeting restrictions.
How to beat
Killing Glare is an intriguing removal spell in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, challenging players to strategize their way around its potentially game-altering effects. This spell enables a player to destroy any creature with power less than or equal to the amount of mana invested into it. To effectively counter this removal, one must be tactful in managing creature power levels and optimizing mana usage.
To outplay Killing Glare, consider deploying creatures with hexproof or shroud attributes, making them immune to targeted spells. Another reliable method is using creatures with undying or persist mechanics, ensuring they return to the battlefield even after being destroyed, perhaps stronger than before. Additionally, one can utilize instant-speed buffs, increasing a creature’s power beyond the reach of Killing Glare’s destructive capability.
The key to besting Killing Glare lies in anticipation and resourcefulness. By preemptively boosting your creatures’ strengths, diversifying their abilities, or even using spells that counteract targeted removal, players can navigate past the hindrance of Killing Glare and maintain a robust presence on the battlefield, ultimately securing their position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Killing Glare MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Killing Glare and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Killing Glare has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Killing Glare card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | The power of the target creature is checked both as you target it and as Killing Glare resolves. If its power is greater than the value chosen for X when Killing Glare tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. |