Misery Charm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Number	158
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Martin

Key Takeaways

Misery Charm’s instant speed allows for surprise plays and timely countering of opponent’s actions.
Flexibility in use makes Misery Charm an asset in various strategic gameplay scenarios.
While potent, Misery Charm’s restrictive mana cost limits its inclusion to black-centric decks.

Text of card

Choose one Destroy target Cleric; or return target Cleric card from your graveyard to your hand; or target player loses 2 life.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Misery Charm offers a versatile choice for players aiming to maintain superiority in card utility. With its ability to potentially remove a target creature from the game, it can effectively transform one card into a pivotal play, swinging the tide of the match in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Misery Charm does not directly provide resource acceleration, its low-cost utility can indirectly speed up your game plan. By eliminating key threats or returning your own creature to hand for a second use, it enables a more efficient and accelerated deployment of your resources on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The strength of Misery Charm is significantly amplified by its instant speed. This allows for reactive play during your opponent’s turn, keeping them guessing while you tactically navigate through their actions. Whether you’re dismantling an opponent’s offense or securing an advantage for your next move, the charm’s timing can be pivotal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Misery Charm’s ability to trigger when a player discards may not always be beneficial, especially if maintaining card advantage is crucial during a game.

Specific Mana Cost: Misery Charm requires black mana, which confines it to decks that accommodate or focus on that particular color, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Misery Charm’s mana cost can be considered moderate, it may compete for space in a deck with other spells that provide more impact or versatility for the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Misery Charm in Your Collection

Versatility: Misery Charm’s three modes give players options in various scenarios, from creature removal, graveyard disruption, to occasionally saving your own creatures from board wipes.

Combo Potential: In decks centered around graveyard mechanics or instant-speed interactions, this card can serve multiple roles, enhancing the synergy within your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Against creature-heavy or graveyard-based strategies popular in some metas, having an instant that can disrupt your opponent’s game plan is an asset, making Misery Charm a relevant inclusion for tactical advantage.

How to beat

Misery Charm is one of those intricate cards from the Onslaught expansion in MTG that offers versatility in a single black mana instant. Its ability to destroy a cleric, regenerate a creature or make an opponent discard a card makes it a multitasking tool that can adapt to various situations. Tackling Misery Charm effectively calls for an understanding of the game’s tempo and strategic foresight.

To outmaneuver Misery Charm, the critical strategy is maintaining a diversified field without overreliance on clerics or any one creature type. This thwarts the charm’s destructive capabilities. In addition, holding onto cards rather than playing your hand too quickly can mitigate the impact of its discard effect. Counterspells are also an efficient response, preventing Misery Charm from disrupting your board while expending minimal resources. However, timing is crucial; react too soon, and you might fall into a trap, but too late, and the damage could be irrevocable. Ultimately, predicting the optimal moment and method to counteract Misery Charm’s influence is the keystone to coming out on top in the duel.

By considering these tactics, players can neutralize Misery Charm’s potential impact and maintain control over the game’s progression, keeping their strategy intact and their creatures safe from its grasp.

Cards like Misery Charm

When seasoned players look at Misery Charm, they often draw comparisons with other modal instant spells within MTG. Misery Charm presents a choice between three distinct options, providing flexibility during gameplay. A notable comparison is Funeral Charm, which also offers three options at instant speed for a single black mana. However, Funeral Charm differs by offering the ability to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn, whereas Misery Charm can directly destroy a Cleric.

Another similar card is Piracy Charm, offering versatility and the ability to force an opponent to discard. However, it also comes with the islandwalk grant and power boost, options not present in Misery Charm. Shadowmoor’s Beckon Apparition could also be placed side by side due to its instant speed and low cost, yet it diverges with an ability focused on token creation rather than targeted removal or player-directed actions.

Ultimately, Misery Charm’s uniqueness stems from its specific targeting nature and combined utility. It serves as a handy tool for players in the MTG realm who seek to tactically address threats or reclaim valuable cards from their graveyard – a small yet potent piece in the intricate strategy of deck building.

Cards similar to Misery Charm by color, type and mana cost

March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions

Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions

Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Misery Charm MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Misery Charm and other MTG cards: