Lash of the Balrog MTG Card


Game-changing by offering both creature removal and opponent life point damage, suitable for aggressive strategies. Synergizes well in decks emphasizing creature demise and sacrifice mechanics, enhancing combo potential. Despite its power, its effectiveness can be mitigated by smart play using hexproof creatures and counterspells.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature or pay . Destroy target creature.


Cards like Lash of the Balrog

Lash of the Balrog emerges as a notable player among the suite of removal cards within Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to other spell cards like Murder, both offering the fundamental ability to destroy a creature. Lash of the Balrog, however, introduces a unique twist by offering an additional effect such as afflicting damage to the creature’s controller, providing a dual pronged approach to controlling the board and impacting the opponent’s life total.

Comparability can also be found with Terminate, another efficient removal spell. Terminate prohibits regeneration of the target creature, an edge in certain matchups, but it doesn’t have the reach to affect a player’s life points directly. Lash of the Balrog’s added damage potential gives it a complementary strategic aspect in aggressive deck builds.

To round out the analysis, Dreadbore is another congruent card, capable of handling both creatures and planeswalkers. While its broader target range is impressive, the absence of direct player-damage capability underscores the situational advantage held by Lash of the Balrog in specific game scenarios.

Within Magic: The Gathering’s expansive arsenal, Lash of the Balrog distinguishes itself by offering creature removal while also posing a threat to an opponent’s life total, a blend that could be decisive in the right deck and situation.

Murder - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Dreadbore - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Dreadbore - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lash of the Balrog by color, type and mana cost

Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
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Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions
Raven's Crime - MTG Card versions
Imperial Seal - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lash of the Balrog is a pivotal card for players seeking to edge out their opponents through sheer card efficiency. It facilitates the removal of key threats that would otherwise require multiple cards to deal with. This consolidation of power into a single spell can tip the scales in your favor during crucial moments.

Resource Acceleration: While Lash of the Balrog does not directly produce mana or tokens, its ability to quickly eliminate blockers can lead to a clearer path for your creatures. Consequently, this can accelerate potential damage and, in some cases, translate into swifter victories, making it an indirect yet potent tool for maintaining tempo.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Lash of the Balrog offers tactical flexibility that is essential in MTG. It can be cast during your opponent’s turn, disrupting their strategy and making it a formidable surprise element in any match. Its instant nature ensures you’re always ready to adapt to the evolving battlefield, keeping your adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lash of the Balrog necessitates that players discard a card as part of its casting cost. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already running thin on valuable cards. Balancing hand resources becomes a critical aspect of gameplay when using this card.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana to play. This can be restrictive for decks that aren’t heavily invested in black mana or dual-color decks that might struggle to meet the specific mana requirements, reducing the flexibility of where this card can be effectively utilized.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Lash of the Balrog, you’re spending a significant amount of mana for its effect. In the dynamic and fast-paced games of MTG, there are other cards at a lower mana cost that might provide similar or better effects, thereby positioning Lash of the Balrog as a less desirable option in many deck strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The adaptability of Lash of the Balrog allows it to easily slide into various deck archetypes. Its nature as a removal option provides strategic depth, handling threats across an array of situations.

Combo Potential: When synergized with cards that feed off of creature deaths or sacrifice effects, Lash of the Balrog becomes a cog in a more complex and potentially devastating combo machine.

Meta-Relevance: With a shifting battlefield that often favors creature-centric decks, having Lash of the Balrog in your arsenal ensures you have a response to dominant creature strategies that you’re likely to encounter.


How to beat

Lash of the Balrog stands out in the realm of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It delivers precision in disrupting opponent creatures, an essential tactic for maintaining board control. Its power comes from the ability to significantly weaken a target creature, which often results in deadly consequences for the creature enduring its lash. Crafting a strategy against such a potent card requires thought and understanding of its limitations.

One approach is to utilize creatures with hexproof or shroud, making them impervious to targeted spells like Lash of the Balrog. Another tactic is to deploy creatures with indestructible or those that benefit from entering the graveyard—think reanimator strategies or abilities that trigger upon death. You may also consider playing at instant speed, outmaneuvering Lash of the Balrog by using your creatures’ abilities before they get ensnared by its power. In addition, counter spells remain a straightforward and effective measure to prevent it from resolving in the first place.

When assessing the landscape of Magic: The Gathering’s vast card pool, players must recognize cards such as Lash of the Balrog as a formidable force. However, with the right countermeasures in place, overcoming it is a realistic and rewarding feat—one that demonstrates a player’s strategic acumen and adaptability.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG enthusiasts continue their pursuit for the perfect deck, Lash of the Balrog proves to be a card worth considering. Whether you’re dominating the battlefield with swift removal or looking for that strategic edge, this card can serve as a powerful asset. Remember, every card choice weaves into the grander story of your deck’s narrative. Keep refining your collection, and always be on the lookout for those key cards that orchestrate victory. For players eager to master their deck’s capabilities and adapt to ever-evolving strategies, our platform offers the insights needed. Dive into the depths of MTG with us and discover how Lash of the Balrog might just be the card you’re looking for.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lash of the Balrog MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Lash of the Balrog and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lash of the Balrog Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4082015NormalBorderlessColin Boyer
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 922015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo
32023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 5432015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lash of the Balrog has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 Players can respond to Lash of the Balrog only after it's been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to stop you from casting this spell or to make it cost more mana.
2023-06-16 You must sacrifice exactly one creature or pay an extra to cast this spell; you can't cast it without paying one of those costs, and you can't pay either multiple times.