Altar's Reap MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Drawing two cards at instant speed can pivot game dynamics in your favor by using creature sacrifice smartly.
  2. Requirement to sacrifice a creature can turn crucial if used improperly, impacting your board presence negatively.
  3. Altar’s Reap’s flexibility in sacrifice-themed decks makes it a versatile choice for numerous MTG strategies.

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast Altar's Reap, sacrifice a creature. Draw two cards.

"The demons don't care if we mutter niceties and act out ceremonies. Just kill him." —Bishop Volpaig, servant of Griselbrand


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to draw two cards upon sacrificing a creature ensures that players can replace and potentially upgrade their hand, keeping their options open and fluid throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: By converting a creature that may be of declining value or about to be removed from the field into new cards, players effectively accelerate their resources, filtering their deck and getting closer to more potent cards.

Instant Speed: This card’s utility at instant speed gives a strategic edge, making it possible to respond reactively to opponents’ actions. Sacrificing a creature targeted by removal spells or using it as an unexpected combat trick can turn the tides in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Altar’s Reap requires the sacrifice of a creature to activate its ability, which could put players at a disadvantage if they must forfeit a valuable asset on the battlefield. This can be especially taxing in tight situations where board presence is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes black mana, Altar’s Reap is restricted to decks that run black mana sources. Players using multicolored decks may find the specific mana cost constraining, limiting the card’s versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only two mana, for some strategies, the cost might be considered high for its effect. In a game where speed and efficiency are key, there are alternatives that offer card draw without such a steep requirement, potentially making Altar’s Reap a less attractive option for decks focused on tempo.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Altar’s Reap can be seamlessly integrated into various deck archetypes, especially those capitalizing on sacrifice mechanics or in need of sudden card draw.

Combo Potential: By sacrificing a creature at a strategic moment, the card can activate morbid abilities or be part of a chain reaction in a combo-centric deck, bolstering its potential exponentially.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are ever-present, having a reactive tool like Altar’s Reap ensures you have a response to removal, turning an opponent’s play to your advantage.


How to Beat Altar’s Reap

Altar’s Reap plays a unique role in Magic: The Gathering, allowing a player to sacrifice a creature as an additional cost to draw two cards. This card can be a crucial asset, turning an imminent loss of a creature into an opportunity for card advantage. However, like every strategic component in MTG, it has its weaknesses. One way to mitigate the impact of Altar’s Reap is to minimize the value your opponent can get from the sacrifice. This can be done by controlling the timing of removal spells, holding them until your opponent has committed to a blocker or attacker, which they may intend to sacrifice.

Another effective strategy is to apply consistent pressure by maintaining a superior board presence, making it costly for them to sacrifice creatures. Additionally, cards with exile effects can prevent recycling of creatures from the graveyard, thus diminishing the synergy with Altar’s Reap. It’s also beneficial to use creature abilities or spells that can counteract the card’s effect, such as graveyard hate cards that disrupt the opponent’s graveyard strategy, further minimizing the benefits of creature sacrifice for card draw.

Disrupting your opponent’s game plan and carefully choosing when to play your cards are keys to countering the advantages offered by Altar’s Reap and maintaining control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Altar’s Reap serves as a nifty trick up the sleeve for deck builders seeking to mesh sacrifice with card draw. While it has its downsides, its potential in decks that thrive on creature death makes it a potent tool. If your strategy involves graveyard interactions or you’re facing removal-heavy opponents, Altar’s Reap can be a game-changer. Evaluate your current deck composition and consider how integrating this card could refine your gameplay. For those looking to make the most out of every creature, or simply craving to keep their hands filled with options, diving deeper into strategies that make Altar’s Reap a focal point can be rewarding. Ready to harness the full power of your creatures, even in death? Uncover more insights and enhance your deck with BurnMana.


Cards like Altar's Reap

Altar’s Reap holds a distinctive place in the collection of sacrifice-and-draw spells within the world of Magic: The Gathering. There’s a clear parallel to Costly Plunder, which shares the same mana cost and effect of sacrificing a creature or an artifact to draw two cards. Nevertheless, Costly Plunder offers slightly more flexibility with its additional option to sacrifice an artifact.

Comparatively, Village Rites stands out with a lower casting cost, requiring only one mana. It maintains the same compelling sacrifice to draw two cards mechanic, making it a potent option for decks running on a tight mana curve. Diabolic Intent goes a different route, offering not just card draw but a search mechanic. At a higher cost, players sacrifice a creature to search their library for any one card and add it to their hand, offering precise deck manipulation.

In essence, Altar’s Reap remains a staple choice for those looking to convert creatures into immediate card advantage, especially in strategies that benefit from creatures hitting the graveyard. While comparable options exist, the instant speed and synergy of Altar’s Reap with sacrifice-centric decks gives it an edge in specific gameplay scenarios.

Costly Plunder - MTG Card versions
Village Rites - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Costly Plunder - Ixalan (XLN)
Village Rites - Core Set 2021 (M21)
Diabolic Intent - Planeshift (PLS)

Cards similar to Altar's Reap by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Soul Rend - MTG Card versions
Wicked Reward - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Terror - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Simulacrum - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Transmutation - Legends (LEG)
Headstone - Homelands (HML)
Soul Rend - Mirage (MIR)
Wicked Reward - Visions (VIS)
Urborg Justice - Weatherlight (WTH)
Imps' Taunt - Tempest (TMP)
Rapid Decay - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Diabolic Edict - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Tainted Pact - Odyssey (ODY)
Toxic Stench - Judgment (JUD)
Doom Blade - Magic 2012 (M12)
Go for the Throat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cast Down - Commander Legends (CMR)
Smother - Worldwake (WWK)
Hero's Demise - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Sickening Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Chill Haunting - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Altar's Reap MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Magic 2014, 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 Altar's Reap and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Altar's Reap Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 862003normalblackDonato Giancola
22013-07-19Magic 2014M14 842003normalblackDonato Giancola
32014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1122003normalblackDonato Giancola
42015-10-02Battle for ZendikarBFZ 1032015normalblackTyler Jacobson
52015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1122015normalblackDonato Giancola
62016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1272015normalblackDonato Giancola
72016-09-02Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob NixilisDDR 372015normalblackTyler Jacobson
82017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 452015normalblackDonato Giancola
92018-07-14Arena New Player Experience ExtrasXANA 242015normalblackDonato Giancola
102019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5632015normalblackTyler Jacobson
112020-09-26The ListPLST DDR-372015normalblackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Altar's Reap has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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