Vampire Revenant MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Vampire Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Released	2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set name	Rivals of Ixalan
Set code	RIX
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	89
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nils Hamm

Key Takeaways

Vampire Revenant offers strong flying capabilities, valuable for vampire tribal synergy in MTG.
Though costly at four mana for its stats, it works well with instant speed spells and aggressive strategies.
While its mana cost can be restrictive, it shines when used in dedicated black mana decks.

Text of card

Flying

"A thick fog obscures the port of Leor, but it's not thick enough to muffle the screams." —Admiral Beckett Brass

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Given its flying ability, Vampire Revenant can be a recurring threat that demands an answer, potentially causing the opponent to expend multiple cards to deal with just one of yours.

Resource Acceleration: While Vampire Revenant doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its four-mana cost fits well into a midrange game plan, allowing you to stabilize your board presence while setting up for more impactful late-game plays.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Vampire Revenant synergizes well with cards that are playable at instant speed. It provides a solid airborne body that can pressure the opponent while you leave mana open to react during their turn with instant speed removal or counterspells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vampire Revenant may not require a player to discard cards, but it does lack abilities that synergize with discard strategies. This could reduce its effectiveness in decks that benefit from or rely on discard mechanisms.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes two black mana symbols, which demands a dedicated source of black mana. This necessity can be restrictive for multicolored decks or those that cannot consistently provide the necessary black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a 3/1 creature, Vampire Revenant’s cost is steep compared to other creatures with similar or better stats and abilities. There are alternative creatures that may provide more value or impact on the game for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Vampire Revenant in Your Collection

Versatility: Vampire Revenant is a solid inclusion in tribal decks, particularly those focusing on vampire synergy. Its flying ability gives an edge in maneuvering over ground-based blockers, allowing for more consistent damage to opponents.

Combo Potential: This card works well with cards that benefit from having vampires or flyers in play. Its presence can strengthen strategies around life loss, life gain, and sacrifice mechanics—central to vampire-themed decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the recurrent popularity of aggressive and tribal decks in the format, Vampire Revenant can find a home in various metagames where evasive and synergistic creatures are key players.

How to Beat Vampire Revenant

Vampire Revenant is a unique flying creature that can be a real nuisance if left unchecked on the battlefield. This card stands out with its four power, allowing it to deal a significant amount of damage and potentially sway the game’s momentum in its controller’s favor. To effectively confront this threat, you need a strategy that neutralizes its flying ability, making it vulnerable to your defenses.

One approach is to employ spells or effects that specifically target flying creatures such as Plummet or Silklash Spider, which can be a direct and efficient way to deal with Vampire Revenant. Utilizing cards that grant reach to your creatures or that can create a high density of blockers on the ground offers another layer of protection, potentially deterring your opponent from attacking with their flying threat.

Finally, having a robust removal suite in your deck, including instant-speed options, ensures you’re never caught off guard. This tactic gives you the flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn and mitigate the damage from Vampire Revenant. With the right mix of removals, blockers, and strategies, overcoming Vampire Revenant and maintaining control on the battlefield becomes a manageable task.

Cards like Vampire Revenant

Vampire Revenant stands out within the vampire archetype of creatures in MTG. Its flying ability allows it to swoop over ground-based defenses, reminiscent of cards like Vampire Nighthawk. Yet, unlike the Nighthawk, which offers lifelink and deathtouch, Vampire Revenant leans solely into its aerial prowess with its 3/1 stats, positioning it as a more aggressive, if squishier, option in the skies.

Comparably, Falkenrath Reaver grants players a ground-level threat sans flight. While it matches Vampire Revenant in power, the absence of flying dramatically alters how it interacts with the battlefield. Skymarch Bloodletter, another bloodthirsty kin, brings a similar power level but sweetens the deal with an enter-the-battlefield effect that shifts life totals, adding a layer of immediate advantage which the Revenant lacks.

Scrutinizing the lineup of vampire creatures available, Vampire Revenant serves a specific purpose within MTG decks seeking to capitalize on evasion tactics. While it may not have the robust abilities of some counterparts, its straightforward aggression can be integral in achieving victory from the skies.

Skymarch Bloodletter - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampire Revenant MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Vampire Revenant and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Revenant has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal