Rend Flesh MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 140
2020-09-26 - Number CHK-140
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant — Arcane |
Text of card
Destroy target non-Spirit creature.
"The Reito Massacre was a testament to the kami's unstoppable power. The human defenders might as well have been moths battling a forest fire." —*Great Battles of Kamigawa*
Cards like Rend Flesh
Rend Flesh holds its place as a noteworthy removal spell in the vast library of Magic: The Gathering options. Standing shoulder to shoulder with this card, we have Go for the Throat, a targeted destruction spell reserved for non-artifact creatures. Both cater to eliminating threats on the battlefield, yet, Go for the Throat’s limitation to non-artifact creatures stands in contrast to Rend Flesh’s focus on non-Spirit targets, giving players different angles to strategize around.
Delving further, Doom Blade enters the conversation, offering removal for non-black creatures at the same cost. The narrow scope of Doom Blade’s application compared to Rend Flesh suggests a more situational use. Then, there’s the debate around Murder, an all-encompassing solution that grants the freedom to target any creature, no questions asked, albeit for an additional mana. This difference in cost and flexibility is a crucial factor for players weighing their removal options.
Ultimately, Rend Flesh earns its merit through restrictive yet capable creature control, aligned with a specialized niche that makes it a compelling choice for many decks. Its distinct limitation breeds creativity and can be seen as an advantage or drawback based on the deck construction and the nature of the game being played.
Cards similar to Rend Flesh by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Rend Flesh doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to selectively remove a non-Spirit creature can swing the board in your favor, essentially countering your opponents play and preserving your card resources while depleting theirs.
Resource Acceleration: Rend Flesh itself isn’t a resource acceleration tool, but by removing a key creature, it can often remove an opponent’s ramp or utility creature, slowing their progress and indirectly preserving your mana efficiency and momentum in the game.
Instant Speed: Rend Flesh’s instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond to threats on the fly. Being able to disrupt your adversary’s strategy during their turn can be pivotal, potentially saving your creatures from combat or interfering with their combos before they have a chance to complete them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rend Flesh doesn’t actually require a card to be discarded, which makes it a straight-forward removal spell. However, this means that it lacks the potential for card advantage that could come from synergizing with graveyard strategies or spells that benefit from discard.
Specific Mana Cost: Carrying a cost that includes three specific black mana can strain mana resources in multicolored decks. This limitation makes Rend Flesh less flexible than removal spells with more generic mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not overly expensive, Rend Flesh does have a mana cost of three, which is a considerable investment in the early game. There are other removal spells that cost less and offer similar, or in some cases, more versatile removal options.
Reasons to Include Rend Flesh in Your Collection
Versatility: Rend Flesh is a reliable removal option in any deck that runs black mana. Its ability to target non-Spirit creatures ensures that it’s rarely without a target in a diverse creature environment.
Combo Potential: Rend Flesh works seamlessly in strategies that revolve around creature deaths, synergizing with cards that capitalize on creatures being sent to the graveyard, such as triggering Morbid or Death’s trigger effects.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many competitive decks revolve around powerful non-Spirit creatures, Rend Flesh maintains relevance by being able to remove key threats efficiently, ensuring your decks can compete in various meta scenarios.
How to beat
Rend Flesh is a uniquely restrictive removal spell in Magic: The Gathering. The card’s specific condition, which only allows for the destruction of non-Spirit creatures, sets it apart from more flexible removal spells in the game. For players looking for reliable defense against this card, strategically including Spirits in your creature lineup can often stymie an opponent’s Rend Flesh play, effectively protecting your critical assets on the board.
Then consider the role of indestructible or hexproof creatures. These attributes rightly make your creatures invulnerable to targeted removal spells like Rend Flesh, affording your deck resilience against it. Similarly, leveraging counterspells or utilizing abilities that grant temporary hexproof can shield your key creatures at crucial moments, negating the impact of removal spells and preserving your board presence.
Ultimately, while Rend Flesh may pose a threat due to its ability to take out significant non-Spirit creatures, strategic deck building and situational awareness can significantly diminish this threat, allowing you to maintain an upper hand. Adaptability and the right combination of creatures and spells are essential in outmaneuvering opponents who rely on cards like Rend Flesh.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rend Flesh MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and The List, 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 Rend Flesh 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Rend Flesh Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by Stephen Tappin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 140 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephen Tappin | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | CHK-140 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephen Tappin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rend Flesh has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |