Tormentor Exarch MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Cleric
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	97
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brad Rigney

Key Takeaways

Its ability can either strengthen your creatures or weaken an opponent’s, affecting combat results significantly.
Flexibility in real-time response offers strategic depth, making it valuable for reactive gameplay.
It requires strategic hand management and precise mana to fully utilize, demanding thoughtful deck building.

Text of card

When Tormentor Exarch enters the battlefield, choose one — Target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn; or target creature gets -0/-2 until end of turn.

"Tend the molten slag, or be the molten slag." —Urabrask's enforcer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tormentor Exarch can produce beneficial outcomes for you depending on the state of the game. In scenarios where you are ahead, choosing to give one of your creatures +2/+0 can be a deciding factor in combat. Alternatively, forcing your opponent’s creature to get -0/-2 can swing the board in your favor, potentially removing a key threat.

Resource Acceleration: Though Tormentor Exarch itself does not directly provide mana acceleration, its potential to eliminate a blocker or boost your own creature’s power can lead to a faster victory, effectively accelerating your win condition and conserving resources in other areas, such as spell casting or creature development.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of the Exarch arriving on the battlefield allows you to make pivotal decisions at a moment’s notice. This capability to react to your opponent’s actions during their turn heightens the strategic depth of each play, keeping your adversaries on their toes and giving you a pacing advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges when playing Tormentor Exarch is that you often need the right card configuration in your hand to maximize its potential. Without a suitable card to discard, you may not fully leverage the Exarch’s abilities, potentially losing valuable momentum during critical game phases.

Specific Mana Cost: Tormentor Exarch demands a precise mana arrangement to cast—two colorless and two red. This specificity can hinder players from seamlessly integrating the Exarch in multi-colored decks that might benefit from its abilities but struggle with mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Tormentor Exarch offers versatility in choosing between weakening an opponent’s creature or strengthening your own, its casting cost of four mana is significant. Players must consider whether the impact on the board state justifies the expense when other cards with similar or lower mana costs could offer comparable, if not greater, advantages.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tormentor Exarch proves to be a flexible addition to various deck strategies, capable of serving a dual purpose depending on your board state. It can either give a creature you control +2/+0 to aid in aggressive strategies or weaken an opponent’s creature by -0/-2, potentially disrupting their plans.

Combo Potential: The Exarch can synergize well with decks that manipulate counters or take advantage of ETB (enter the battlefield) triggers. Since it can target any creature, it opens a window for interesting combo plays, including weakening potential blockers or buffing up your attackers for a decisive strike.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly shifting play environment, having a card that can adapt to different metas can be crucial. The Tormentor Exarch can be particularly useful in a meta filled with creature-based strategies, providing an edge by either bolstering your offense or serving as a form of creature control.

How to beat

Tormentor Exarch is a versatile creature card known for either bolstering your board’s strength or weakening an opponent’s defense. What might be less known is the strategy to effectively counter it. Remember, timing is everything when it comes to countering cards like Tormentor Exarch. You could utilize instant-speed removal spells when the Exarch enters the battlefield, snuffing out its triggered ability and negating its impact before it causes any harm. Save your removal spells for key moments like these.

Another approach is to keep your own creature’s power high enough that Tormentor Exarch’s debuff won’t be lethal or to protect your creatures with cards that make them indestructible for a turn. Additionally, you could use counter spells to prevent the Exarch from hitting the board in the first place, maintaining your control over the game. Strategies like these are your best bet against the duality of the Exarch’s abilities. As with all Magic: The Gathering confrontations, knowledge of your cards and predicting your opponent’s moves will give you the upper hand.

Ultimately, Tormentor Exarch might not be the most intimidating card in a player’s arsenal, but underestimating its ability to shift the tide of battle could lead to your downfall. Don’t let the Exarch’s presence unnerve you. With a keen strategy and the right cards, you can turn the tables and maintain your path to victory.

Cards like Tormentor Exarch

Tormentor Exarch makes an intriguing presence in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It sits in line with cards like Fettergeist or Lavacore Elemental, where players can influence the battlefield upon entering. What sets Tormentor Exarch apart is its flexibility, allowing the player to choose between weakening an opponent’s creature or bolstering one of their own.

Comparable to the Exarch is Zealous Conscripts, providing a one-time shift in control of any target permanent, though at a higher cost. Tormentor Exarch doesn’t seize control but can shift battle odds by its choice-driven abilities, potentially tilting a duel in the caster’s favor. Another card worth mentioning is Skinshifter, which offers various transformation options each turn, adjusting to battlefield needs similarly to how Tormentor Exarch adapts when it enters the fray.

These subtle yet critical distinctions underline how Tormentor Exarch holds its ground within MTG, catering to players who appreciate stratagem based on conditionality and adaptability, thus securing its niche in gameplay that demands both finesse and tactical choice.

Cards similar to Tormentor Exarch by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tormentor Exarch MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Tormentor Exarch and other MTG cards: