Massacre Totem MTG Card


Massacre Totem reshuffles useful nonland cards, enhancing deck control and maintaining card flow. Reduces cost for Creature spells, giving creature-heavy decks a notable speed advantage. Demands a specific mana combination and comes with a higher mana cost, which may hinder its inclusion.
Massacre Totem - Battle the Horde
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Hero's Reward
Released2014-03-01
Set symbol
Set nameBattle the Horde
Set codeTBTH
Number12
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFilip Burburan

Text of card

At the beginning of the Horde's precombat main phase, reveal an additional card from the top of the Horde's library. The Horde casts that card. Hero's Reward — When Massacre Totem is put into a graveyard from anywhere, put the top seven cards of the Horde's library into its graveyard.


Cards like Massacre Totem

Massacre Totem offers a unique dynamic in MTG strategies, reminiscent of cards that also influence the board through creature removal mechanisms. A notable comparison could be to Nekrataal, which similarly dispatches a nonartifact, nonblack creature upon entry. The Massacre Totem, however, has the flexibility to target any creature regardless of color but at the cost of echoing its potency back to the controller’s creatures.

Another parallel can be drawn with Skinrender, featuring the ability to distribute -1/-1 counters, impacting the board with precision. While Skinrender’s effect is less drastic than the potential sweeping effect of Massacre Totem, the totem’s impact can be both a high-risk and high-reward tactic depending on the board state. There’s also the Ravenous Chupacabra as a comparable card, providing a straightforward creature destruction ability without recoil to one’s own side, offering a more controlled yet singular removal option.

A thorough comparison reveals that Massacre Totem fits well within the realm of creature control cards in MTG with its symmetrical approach, providing a distinctive choice for players valuing broad impact over selective removal.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Skinrender - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Chupacabra - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Skinrender - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Chupacabra - MTG Card versions

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Mox Opal - MTG Card versions
Chalice of the Void - MTG Card versions
Orochi Hatchery - MTG Card versions
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Mox Diamond - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
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Chrome Mox - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Massacre Totem enhances your deck control by allowing reshuffling of selective nonland cards from your graveyard into your library. This cycle effect can be a key tactic in maintaining a flow of useful cards throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: As a versatile piece, Massacre Totem aids in speeding up your gameplay through its cost-reducing ability for Creature spells. This can be particularly powerful in creature-heavy decks, making your more formidable creatures available sooner than your opponents may be prepared for.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed provides the flexibility to make quick strategic adjustments based on your opponent’s actions. This means you can wait until the most opportune moment within a turn cycle to utilize the totem’s effects, without sacrificing the momentum of your own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Massacre Totem often comes with the strategic hiccup of having to discard a card. This can throw a wrench in the game plan, especially for players whose hands are already stretched thin by maintaining their battlefield presence or reacting to opponents’ threats.

Specific Mana Cost: The Massacre Totem demands a particular combination of mana to cast. Decks not running with the required color might find it challenging to integrate this card, making it less versatile across various strategies and archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to summoning powerful effects, the resource investment is crucial. With a mana value that’s on the higher end, players may hesitate, knowing that the same resources could potentially fuel more impactful plays or be reserved for more opportune moments within the match.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Massacre Totem can be seamlessly integrated into numerous deck archetypes, ranging from control to combo. Its capability to disrupt opponents’ strategies makes it a valuable asset in all formats where it’s legal.

Combo Potential: This card shines in its ability to facilitate powerful board states, either clearing the way for your own creatures or enabling synergies with death-trigger abilities. Its utility in intricate combos cannot be overstated, especially in decks that thrive on sacrificing creatures for greater benefits.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, Massacre Totem’s relevance may wax and wane. However, with an ever-present clamor for board control in competitive scenes, a card that offers both offensive and defensive options is perennially useful. Its ability to adapt to and potentially shape the meta makes it a must-have for serious players.


How to beat

Overcoming the Massacre Totem in your MTG matches requires a careful approach. This card, akin to a silent predator, waits in the shadows of the graveyard to pounce and disrupt your plans at an opportune moment. To navigate past its looming threat, players can consider incorporating graveyard manipulation strategies in their decks. Cards that exile the graveyard, such as Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus, can strip the Massacre Totem of its power, rendering it dormant. Additionally, control tactics can be employed to maintain the pace of the game. Timely counterspells can prevent your opponent from ever casting it, while spot removal ensures that its impact is minimal if it manages to enter the battlefield.

Remember, staying vigilant about the Totem’s trigger conditions and having a response ready is paramount. By monitoring your opponent’s graveyard and strategically planning your plays, you can prevent the Massacre Totem from turning the tides of the game. Embrace the challenge, for victory awaits those who can adeptly navigate around this potent threat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Massacre Totem MTG card by a specific set like Battle the Horde, 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 Massacre Totem and other MTG cards:

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