Drinker of Sorrow MTG Card

Legions (LGN)
2003-02-03 - Number 66

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number LGN-66

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Horror
Power	5
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Sacrificing creatures can trigger advantageous death-related abilities, weaving into strategic deck play.
The card’s mana specificity and discard requirement can pose a challenge in diverse deck builds.
Its unique mechanics offer versatility and meta-relevance, suitable for decks centered around board control.

Text of card

Drinker of Sorrow can't block. Whenever Drinker of Sorrow deals combat damage, sacrifice a permanent.

It strikes at your soul, heedless of your prayers.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Drinker of Sorrow lets you sacrifice a creature when it deals combat damage to a player, paving the way for potential card advantage through triggering of death-related abilities and interactions within your deck.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, by enabling you to thin the creature base, it implicitly helps streamline your deck, potentially drawing you closer to your key resources and spells.

Instant Speed: Although Drinker of Sorrow itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it demands an immediate answer from your opponent. This creates pressure, holding them at bay and making them wary of tapping out and leaving defenses down.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside of Drinker of Sorrow is its additional cost requirement, obligating players to discard another creature card. This prerequisite can result in a setback, especially in game scenarios where card advantage is crucial or when the player’s hand is already depleted of creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Drinker of Sorrow demands a particular mana arrangement to cast, specifically three black mana. This specificity can restrict its integration into multi-color decks or those that do not have a strong base for producing black mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Standing at a total of four mana, including three that must be black, Drinker of Sorrow might not seem overly expensive at first glance. However, in the realm of MTG, where players constantly evaluate the cost-to-benefit ratio, there are alternative creatures or spells that could potentially provide greater value or impact on the battlefield for the same, or even a lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Drinker of Sorrow in Your Collection

Versatility: Drinker of Sorrow offers a unique blend of power and sacrifice mechanics that allow it to adapt to various decks. Its ability to force a sacrifice when dealing combat damage makes it a potent addition to any deck that strategizes around board control.

Combo Potential: Leveraging its built-in sacrifice effect, Drinker of Sorrow works seamlessly with decks that harness graveyard synergies or benefit from death-triggered abilities, providing a reusable way to activate such effects.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment shifts, cards like Drinker of Sorrow can become invaluable, particularly if creatures play a significant role in prevailing strategies. Its ability to deal with an opponent’s creatures can upset their plans and provide you with a considerable advantage.

How to beat

Drinker of Sorrow might seem like a formidable creature in an MTG arsenal, given its ability to quickly turn the tide with its potent power and life leech effect. However, there’s a noticeable downside players can exploit: the card demands a sacrifice during your upkeep if it’s under your control. This condition can swiftly dwindle your board presence if not managed acutely.

Employing removal spells can be a straightforward tactic to eliminate this threat. Cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can be particularly effective; they remove Drinker of Sorrow without triggering its life-gain ability. Another strategy is to minimize its impact by refraining from deploying creatures you can’t afford to lose, or by utilizing token generators which can produce expendable creatures to fulfill Drinker of Sorrow’s appetite. Counterspells also work to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place, ensuring you never face the dilemma it presents. Engaging it in combat could be a last resort due to its capability of leeching life, but it remains an option if necessary.

Understanding Drinker of Sorrow’s duality as both a potent threat and a potential liability can be crucial. With the right set of tools and timely actions, one can safeguard their game against its sorrowful drink.

Cards like Drinker of Sorrow

Drinker of Sorrow offers a unique dynamic on the battlefield in MTG. Like Drinker of Sorrow, Reaper from the Abyss also comes with a sacrifice element, which fuels its Morbid ability, potentially clearing the board of opposing creatures. However, Drinker of Sorrow’s requirement to sacrifice another creature upon attacking presents a continuous cost that balances out its considerable attacking power.

When compared to Fleshbag Marauder, which also imposes a one-time sacrifice upon entry, Drinker of Sorrow’s larger base stats suggest a more aggressive playstyle. Fleshbag Marauder, though, affects all players equally and can disrupt opponent strategies without a recurring cost. Another card worth mentioning is the Demon of Catastrophes, sacrificing a creature as an entry fee, similar to Drinker of Sorrow’s attack trigger, but without the ongoing sacrifices, making it a threat that can stick around and pressure opponents without further costs.

Looking at these comparisons, Drinker of Sorrow can be a challenging yet rewarding card for players who capitalize on creature sacrifice for strategic advantages throughout the game of MTG. Its continuous demand can be a double-edged sword, demanding creative deck compositions to truly shine on the playmat.

Reaper from the Abyss - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Drinker of Sorrow by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Drinker of Sorrow MTG card by a specific set like Legions and The List, 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 Drinker of Sorrow and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Drinker of Sorrow Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2003-02-03. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-02-03	Legions	LGN		66	1997	Normal	Black	Carl Critchlow
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		LGN-66	1997	Normal	Black	Carl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Drinker of Sorrow has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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