Murder of Crows MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 70
2018-03-16 - Number 66
2019-11-07 - Number 438
2021-07-23 - Number 88
2023-03-21 - Number 19
2023-08-04 - Number 106
2020-09-26 - Number A25-66
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever another creature dies, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card.
Even more than carrion, they crave the last words of the dying.
Cards like Murder of Crows
Murder of Crows is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers card filtering every time another creature dies. This ability is reminiscent of other cards like Grim Haruspex, which also allows a player to draw a card upon the death of a non-token creature. However, Murder of Crows doesn’t have the same restriction on token creatures, providing a wider scope for drawing opportunities.
Another comparable card is Midnight Reaper, which presents the player with a draw mechanism when any creature you control dies, albeit at the cost of 1 life for each card. Although Murder of Crows doesn’t incur life loss, its higher casting cost could be a potential drawback. Additionally, considering cards like River Kelpie, we notice it offers card draw on creatures entering the battlefield from the graveyard or whenever a creature dies, yet with a complex setup and higher mana requirements.
Comparing these alternatives showcases Murder of Crows as a formidable option in MTG strategies that capitalize on creature deaths, offering a balance between accessibility, cost, and utility without life penalty—a delicate balance in any deck featuring blue that values card advantage.
Cards similar to Murder of Crows by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Murder of Crows lets you draw a card whenever another creature dies, potentially leading to a significant card advantage over time. This can help replenish your hand and give you more options as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Although it does not directly produce additional mana, the ability to consistently draw extra cards can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by increasing the chances of drawing into more lands or other mana sources.
Instant Speed: While Murder of Crows itself isn’t an instant, its triggered ability works at any time, offering flexibility akin to instant speed. This means you can benefit from the card drawing effect whether it’s your turn or your opponent’s, whenever creatures are put into graveyards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The ability to draw a card upon another creature dying comes with a hitch for Murder of Crows. Each time you wish to trigger this ability, you must discard a card from your hand. For players who need to maintain a full grip to optimize their strategy, this can become a restrictive cost, magnifying the importance of each discard decision.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two blue mana symbols, Murder of Crows demands a commitment to blue mana in your mana base. This requirement can shape deck construction heavily, often necessitating a predominantly blue deck or a very careful and potentially complicated mana base in a multicolored deck to reliably cast on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A mana investment of five, with two specifically needing to be blue mana, makes Murder of Crows a card that leans towards the higher end of the mana curve for what it offers. Considering the pace of gameplay, by the time you summon the Crows, you could be facing opponents who have developed a more substantial board presence or who are prepared to counter your play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Murder of Crows offers a unique blend of flying power and card filtering ability that can easily find a home in blue-based control or midrange decks, enhancing your air defense while refining your hand.
Combo Potential: This avian ally shines when paired with cards that trigger upon creature death, setting up the potential for powerful draw-discard combos that can rapidly cycle through your deck for key pieces.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies prevail, having a reliable flyer that also manipulates your draw may give you the edge needed to stay ahead of the competition.
How to beat
Murder of Crows is an intriguing fixture in the array of flying creatures available to Magic: The Gathering players. Every time another creature dies, this card offers you the opportunity to sift through your deck by letting you draw a card and then discard a card. This ability provides both a filter mechanism to smooth your draws and a persistent threat in the air.
To effectively neutralize the card’s advantage, pinpoint removal spells are a solid strategy. Instant removal like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can dispatch Murder of Crows before it generates too much value. Players can also circumvent the card by utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation to clear the board without triggering its ability multiple times. Cards with the “can’t be regenerated” clause are particularly efficient against it.
For a more subtle approach, cards that stop abilities from triggering, like Hushbringer or Torpor Orb, can nullify the advantage Murder of Crows brings to the table. Addressing it directly or dampening its abilities is key, situating your strategy to anticipate and counter this feathery threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Murder of Crows MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Masters 25, 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 Murder of Crows 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Murder of Crows Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Drew Baker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 70 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 66 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 438 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | A25-66 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | ||
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 88 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 6 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker | |
| 7 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Murder of Crows has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Murder of Crows card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | If another creature dies at the same time as Murder of Crows, its last ability triggers. |
| 2018-03-16 | You can't do anything in between drawing a card and discarding a card, including casting or cycling the card you drew. |