Kiss of Death MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 1998-06-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal Second Age |
| Set code | P02 |
| Number | 76 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Melissa A. Benson |
Text of card
Kiss of Death deals 4 damage to your opponent. You gain 4 life.
"I'd sooner lock lips with a viper. At least I might walk away from *that*." —Elvish scout
Cards like Kiss of Death
Kiss of Death carves its niche in the vast landscape of life-draining spells in MTG. Resembling cards such as Exsanguinate, it also revolves around the tactic of siphoning life from opponents to your advantage. However, Kiss of Death adds a more direct and aggressive edge by targeting a creature as well. Unlike Exsanguinate, this card provides a more immediate impact by weakening your opponent’s defenses while bolstering your life total.
Sanguine Sacrament is another life-related spell that can be likened to Kiss of Death. It doubles down on the life gain aspect but without affecting the board state, a stark contrast to Kiss of Death’s dual functionality. On the other side of the spectrum lies Tendrils of Corruption, which like Kiss of Death, causes life loss to an opponent’s creature while adding to your life pool, but it is inherently tied to the number of Swamps you control, making it less versatile.
The tactical advantages offered by Kiss of Death, especially in decks focusing on life manipulation and creature control, position it as a formidable choice for players looking to pressure their opponent’s life total while maintaining a robust frontline.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kiss of Death offers a unique twist to card advantage. By enabling targeted removal while potentially offering card draw, it bolsters your hand while depleting your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: This card also contributes to resource acceleration. Though not in the traditional sense of generating mana, it removes potential blockers or threats, paving the way for your mana resources to be spent on game-winning strategies.
Instant Speed: One of the pivotal features of Kiss of Death is its instant speed capability. This allows for reactive play and strategic flexibility during your opponent’s turn, showcasing its versatility within the dynamics of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To cast Kiss of Death, you’re obliged to discard another card, a steep price when your hand is dwindling or the discarded card is crucial for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s black mana demand could strain your deck’s manabase, particularly in multi-colored setups not heavily favoring black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocated four mana might be on the higher side, especially when compared to other options that can have a more immediate and lower-cost impact on the board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kiss of Death offers flexibility in deck construction, catering to those looking for unique win conditions or life manipulation strategies. It can serve as a potent threat in decks that aim to control opponent’s life totals directly.
Combo Potential: With Kiss of Death, enthusiasts can explore fascinating synergies and interactions, particularly in decks that revolve around life total exchanges or benefit from life payment mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the card’s potential to act as both a win condition and a life management tool, it might turn out to be a strong choice against decks focusing on slow buildup or those that struggle with life gain and loss dynamics.
How to beat
Kiss of Death has certainly made its mark as a potent life-draining spell in the realm of MTG. It embodies the classic risk-reward strategy by enabling a player to potentially end the game or significantly reverse the tides in their favor. This power, however, is not without its checks and balances, as with any formidable card there are ways to navigate around its threatening presence.
When facing off against Kiss of Death, the key is disruption. Counterspells are your first line of defense, allowing you to stifle the spell before its effects ever hit the board. Consider utilizing spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto, which specialize in shutting down noncreature spells. If counterspells aren’t an option, graveyard manipulation can also be a reliable strategy. Cards that exile or shuffle graveyards into libraries can prevent Kiss of Death from making a comeback if it’s part of a reanimator strategy.
Moreover, having a robust life total is an indirect but effective strategy. Incorporating life gain into your deck ensures that even if Kiss of Death resolves, its impact won’t be as severe. By prioritizing counters, graveyard control, and life gain, you can enhance your deck’s resilience against the formidable Kiss of Death and swing the momentum in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kiss of Death MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Kiss of Death 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 Kiss of Death has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |