Liturgy of Blood MTG Card
2013-07-19 - Number 104
2018-06-08 - Number 148
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target creature. Add to your mana pool.
"You harbor such vast potential. It would be such a shame to let you die of old age." —Zul Ashur, lich lord
Cards like Liturgy of Blood
Liturgy of Blood enters the realm of creature removal spells within Magic: The Gathering, bearing resemblances to other black spells that both destroy creatures and provide additional benefits. It mirrors Murder, a straightforward card that excels in unconditionally eliminating any target creature without any further advantages. Liturgy of Blood extends beyond by offering the player an increase in mana resources with the addition of three black mana.
In the sphere of creature control, Flesh to Dust presents as a close kin in function but differs as it prevents the creature from regenerating—a notable upside. Yet, it doesn’t provide any mana acceleration. On the pricier side, we encounter Consume Spirit, which not only removes creatures based on the amount of mana spent but also channels life from the destroyed creature to the caster, integrating both removal and sustenance.
Scrutinizing the echelons of black removal spells, Liturgy of Blood serves a dual purpose, standing out with its combination of creature destruction and the rare feature of mana ramp in black’s color pie, situating it uniquely among its peers as a multifaceted spell choice.
Cards similar to Liturgy of Blood by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the game of resource management, Liturgy of Blood tips the scales in your favor by allowing you to eliminate a key threat on the battlefield while simultaneously empowering your hand and strategy with three black mana.
Resource Acceleration: On top of its creature removal capabilities, the influx of black mana can crucially speed up your game plan. Whether that means casting a high-impact creature or enabling a combination of spells in a single turn, Liturgy of Blood provides the mana boost needed to propel your plays forward.
Instant Speed: While it operates at sorcery speed, the upside to this is the ability to plan your turn knowing exactly how much mana you will have at your disposal post-removal. It allows for precise sequencing to further your board state significantly after clearing a path.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Liturgy of Blood doesn’t require discarding cards, it’s important to consider your hand before using resources on a single removal spell. Ensuring card advantage is key in card play, and using spells without generating additional card advantage can leave a player at a resource disadvantage over time.
Specific Mana Cost: Liturgy of Blood demands three black mana, which may be cumbersome for multi-colored decks to manage efficiently. This specific mana cost makes the card less flexible and harder to include in decks that do not primarily focus on black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five total mana, including three that must be black, is a significant investment for this card’s effect. While Liturgy of Blood does provide ramp by adding three black mana to your mana pool, other cards with lower mana costs may offer similar removal abilities or additional benefits, potentially offering more value for the mana spent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Liturgy of Blood offers the dual benefits of creature removal and mana ramp. It’s a card that can be slotted into various black decks that need to handle threats on the board while simultaneously boosting their mana pool for subsequent turns.
Combo Potential: The additional mana provided by Liturgy of Blood can be crucial for setting off combos, especially in decks that look to cast high-cost spells in one turn. It’s a key piece for players who want to turn the tide with a game-changing spell.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where powerful creatures dominate, having a reliable removal like Liturgy of Blood can help control the board state. This card’s ability to eliminate threats while propelling your mana can swing matches in your favor against creature-heavy decks.
How to beat
The Liturgy of Blood card is a structured removal option in the arsenal of black spells within Magic: The Gathering. This sorcery not only destroys a target creature but also provides the caster with a net increase in mana through the addition of three black mana to their pool. Understanding its strengths is key to overcoming its impact in the game.
To counteract the effect of Liturgy of Blood, players should prioritize retaining creatures that are either expendable or have regeneration abilities. Cards with protection from black or indestructible features can deter the casting of Liturgy of Blood, as they would render the removal effect useless. Keeping mana open for counterspells when you sense your opponent could unleash this impactful sorcery can also save your key creatures from destruction. Additionally, the tempo loss from a five-mana removal spell can be capitalized upon if you maintain a more efficient, low-cost creature base, reducing the overall effectiveness of your opponent’s Liturgy of Blood.
Adapting to the strategic demands of Liturgy of Blood ensures that while your opponent might gain short-term mana, they won’t gain long-term control of the battlefield, keeping you firmly in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Liturgy of Blood MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Battlebond, 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 Liturgy of Blood 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
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Printings
The Liturgy of Blood Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Zack Stella.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 104 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Liturgy of Blood has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Liturgy of Blood card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | If the target creature is an illegal target when Liturgy of Blood tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t add mana to your mana pool. |
| 2013-07-01 | Liturgy of Blood isn’t a mana ability and uses the stack. Players can respond to it by casting spells and activating abilities. |