Cordial Vampire MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Cordial Vampire excels in creating card advantage by using creature deaths to strengthen board presence.
  2. Its instant-speed ability provides strategic flexibility and power boosts during any turn.
  3. Despite its mana specificity, it’s versatile and can shape the game in vampire-focused decks.

Text of card

Whenever Cordial Vampire or another creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on each Vampire you control.

"Please, come in! Hors d'oeuvres are on the table."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cordial Vampire does an excellent job at generating card advantage. Every time another creature dies, not only your opponent’s but also your own, it gets a +1/+1 counter. When built around, the strength of your board can snowball quickly, making every creature you play, and potentially lose, more valuable.

Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly produce additional mana or tokens, the Cordial Vampire can be seen as a form of resource acceleration in a vampire-centric deck. It can transform any vampire into a more potent threat, effectively accelerating the value and power of your existing board presence without the need to invest additional mana.

Instant Speed: While Cordial Vampire itself isn’t an instant, its ability triggers at instant speed. This means that it can grow itself and your vampire allies at any time a creature dies – be it on your turn or in response to an opponent’s actions. This synergizes well with instant-speed removal or sacrifice effects, allowing Cordial Vampire to enhance your strategic options in a pinch.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Cordial Vampire comes with a specific mana requirement which can be a hurdle in multi-colored decks that might not reliably generate the black mana needed to play it on curve.

Discard Requirement: Although not directly applicable to Cordial Vampire, it’s worth noting that being a vampire tribal card, it may not fit into strategies that do not benefit from or support vampire synergy, which can be as limiting as a discard requirement in non-tribal decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a two-mana creature, Cordial Vampire might be seen as having a high cost relative to its starting stats. While its abilities have the potential to turn the tide in vampire decks, in faster-paced games and formats, players might seek more immediate impact from their two-drop creatures.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cordial Vampire is not simply confined to vampire decks but can boost any strategy that involves creature tokens or sacrificing creatures for gain. Its ability to enhance your entire board after a mere creature loss makes it an adaptable inclusion.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with mechanics that involve creatures dying, such as morbid or persist. Its capacity to unexpectedly amplify your creatures’ power presents multiple opportunities for devastating combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies are dominant, Cordial Vampire shines. Its ongoing effect that strengthens your creatures upon any creature’s demise makes it a formidable force against opponent’s creatures and a solid contender in the current meta.


How to beat

Cordial Vampire may seem daunting with its ability to strengthen other vampires whenever a creature dies, making it a worthy adversary in any MTG vampire deck. This card shines in matches where creatures are plentiful and combat is frequent, as each fallen creature, friend or foe, bolsters the power of the vampire horde.

To effectively counter Cordial Vampire, consider strategies that limit creature death. Cards that exile or transform rather than destroy can prevent the power boost Cordial Vampire seeks. Board control spells like ‘Settle the Wreckage’ or ‘Silence the Believers’ can be pivotal. Also, prioritize removing Cordial Vampire before initiating mass removal or when creature trade-offs in combat are unavoidable. Games can quickly spiral if left unchecked, as Cordial Vampire can turn even the most minor skirmishes to its advantage, growing an army of vampires stronger with each clash.

Overall, facing a Cordial Vampire requires a tactical approach, focusing on non-lethal removal and staying wary of the snowball effect it could catalyze. An early answer to this threat could be the key to victory on the battleground of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we’ve discussed the strategic potential of Cordial Vampire, it’s clear that this card can be a game-changer in your MTG arsenal. Skilled at turning the tides in a vampire deck, its ability to bulk up your forces with each fallen creature is invaluable. If your deck thrives on creature interaction and combat, Cordial Vampire is a must-have for its synergy and power-boosting prowess. Ready to make every creature count for more? Dive deeper with us, discover strategic deck builds, and make Cordial Vampire a cornerstone of your MTG collection. Join the community now for more tips and tricks that will sharpen your gameplay.


Cards like Cordial Vampire

Cordial Vampire is a powerful asset for anyone building a vampire-themed deck in Magic: The Gathering. With abilities that are quite synergistic with its vampire kin, this card can enhance your horde substantially. It’s similar to Stromkirk Captain, which also bolsters other vampires by giving them +1/+1 and first strike, reinforcing your vampire creatures’ offense and defense.

Another card that plays well with vampire strategies is Legion Lieutenant. Like Cordial Vampire, it gives a static +1/+1 boost to other vampires which is less conditional compared to Cordial Vampire’s ability that triggers upon death of a creature. Despite this, Cordial Vampire’s potential to scale much higher in longer games with multiple triggers cannot be underestimated.

Finally, Drana, Liberator of Malakir presents an alternative method for strengthening vampires. While Cordial Vampire increases power and toughness across the board, Drana only buffs creatures when she deals combat damage to a player, albeit with the advantage of immediate impact. Hence, Cordial Vampire is distinguished by its ability to grow your forces over time and turn any creature’s demise to your advantage.

Stromkirk Captain - MTG Card versions
Legion Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Drana, Liberator of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Stromkirk Captain - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Legion Lieutenant - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)
Drana, Liberator of Malakir - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)

Cards similar to Cordial Vampire by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nether Shadow - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cyclopean Mummy - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Rinascimento (RIN)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Black Knight - The List (PLST)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cordial Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Cordial Vampire and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Cordial Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 832015normalblackWinona Nelson
22021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 3062015normalblackWinona Nelson
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1252015normalblackWinona Nelson
42023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1892015normalblackWinona Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cordial Vampire has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-06-14 If Cordial Vampire dies at the same time as one or more other creatures, its ability triggers for each of them.
2019-06-14 If a Vampire you control is dealt lethal damage at the same time as another creature, they die at the same time. That Vampire can't receive a counter from Cordial Vampire's ability in time to save it.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks