Sarevok, Deathbringer MTG Card


Sarevok enhances late-game play by providing card advantage when defeating creatures. Instant speed interactions allow for timely responses and strategic battle plays. It demands strategy with its discard requirement and specific mana costs.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Knight
Abilities Choose a background
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

At the beginning of each player's end step, if no permanents left the battlefield this turn, that player loses X life, where X is Sarevok's power. Choose a Background (You can have a Background as a second commander.)


Cards like Sarevok, Deathbringer

When comparing Sarevok, Deathbringer to other creatures in the realm of MTG, its capabilities offer a unique blend. Sarevok shares certain characteristics with acclaimed bombers like Sheoldred, Whispering One, with both able to wreak havoc on the board state through removal abilities. While Sheoldred offers recurring destruction and reanimation, Sarevok stands apart with its possibility to dish out direct damage and also acts as a deterrent with its ability to potentially decimate an opponent’s creature just for attacking you.

Another comparable figure is Erebos, Bleak-Hearted, which also thrives in a strategy that manipulates life totals and board presence. Although Erebos doesn’t have the immediate board impact that Sarevok commands, its ability to draw cards gives it a lasting value in prolonged games. Additionally, Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief is worth mentioning for the terror it can instill once mana-rich, though it lacks the innate protection Sarevok offers through fear tactics.

Each of these cards offers strategic depth in their unique ways, but Sarevok, Deathbringer carves out its niche with a direct and forceful approach to controlling opponents’ creatures and influencing combat decisions, making it a formidable choice for players favoring aggressive strategies within the MTG universe.

Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Erebos, Bleak-Hearted - MTG Card versions
Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Erebos, Bleak-Hearted - MTG Card versions
Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sarevok, Deathbringer by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sarevok, Deathbringer enhances your gameplay by generating card advantage in the late game. The ability to draw cards upon defeating creatures solidifies your position, ensuring you never run out of options.

Resource Acceleration: When Sarevok, Deathbringer dispatches an opponent’s creature, it potentially ramps up your resources, allowing you to cast more spells or deploy larger threats ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: With instant speed interactions, this card ensures you can respond promptly to threats or make pivotal plays at the most opportune moments, especially during complex battle phases or in response to opponent’s spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sarevok, Deathbringer necessitates parting with another card in your hand to deploy its formidable abilities. Should your hand be nearly depleted, summoning this creature could strike a harsh blow to your strategic reserve, potentially stalling your momentum in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailoring the mana base to accommodate Sarevok’s particular blend of mana requirements can prove challenging. As such, the card’s dependency on a rigid color combination hinders its seamless integration into a diverse array of MTG decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the landscape of MTG, where mana efficiency is king, Sarevok’s considerable summoning cost may overshadow its potential impact on the battlefield. Players might find alternative creatures or spells that offer a more advantageous cost-to-effect ratio, thereby placing Sarevok at a competitive disadvantage.


Reasons to Include Sarevok, Deathbringer in Your Collection

Versatility: Sarevok, Deathbringer serves as a powerful addition to a variety of MTG decks, providing strategic advantage whether you’re commanding a death-trigger themed deck or need a reliable finisher. Its ability to manipulate the board by turning losses into gains plugs into multiple strategies seamlessly.

Combo Potential: With its inherent synergy with death-trigger effects, Sarevok can be the lynchpin in a combo that turns the tide of the game. Its power grows with every creature’s demise, making it increasingly dangerous in prolonged encounters.

Meta-Relevance: Given its robust design, Sarevok, Deathbringer stands up well in metagames that are creature-dense or where battlefield presence dictates the pace of play. Its scaling threat level ensures it remains a card opponents must answer to, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.


How to beat

Sarevok, Deathbringer is a formidable card that can challenge players when it appears on the battlefield. With its ability to deal damage directly to any target when casting black spells, Sarevok can quickly become a major threat. Overcoming this card requires strategy and precise timing. Keeping removal spells in your hand for key moments can turn the tide of the game. Sorcery speed removal may be less effective as your opponent can capitalize on the untapped mana during their turn.

Playing around Sarevok involves maintaining a strong board presence and being ready to disrupt your opponent’s strategy. Counterspells and instant-speed interaction are particularly useful. Cards that offer exile effects can also be valuable, as they prevent Sarevok from returning to the battlefield. Hand disruption is another avenue, allowing you to remove Sarevok before your opponent has the chance to cast it.

Ultimately, the key is to anticipate Sarevok’s arrival and have an answer ready. Keep pressure on your opponent and avoid leaving windows of opportunity for Sarevok to dominate the game. With careful planning and responsive play, you can navigate this challenge effectively and maintain control over the game state.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sarevok, Deathbringer MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Battle for Baldur's Gate Art Series, 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 Sarevok, Deathbringer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sarevok, Deathbringer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 4972015NormalBlackBen Hill
22022-06-10Battle for Baldur's Gate Art SeriesACLB 502015Art seriesBorderless
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3912015NormalBlackJustine Jones
42022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 1442015NormalBlackBen Hill

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sarevok, Deathbringer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sarevok, Deathbringer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-06-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2022-06-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2022-06-10 Choose a Background is a variant of the partner ability. You may have two commanders if one of them is a legendary creature with the choose a background ability and the other is a legendary Background enchantment. Backgrounds and cards with choose a Background do not interact with cards which have any other partner ability.
2022-06-10 If a card refers to a commander creature you own, a Background won't usually be counted or included for that effect. If another spell or ability causes your Background to become a creature, however, it will be included. Any effect that refers to your commander or a commander you own or control without specifying creature will apply to a Background that is your commander, as appropriate.
2022-06-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2022-06-10 If you control a Background that grants an ability to commander creatures you own, and you own more than one commander creature, each of them will have that ability.
2022-06-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can include only cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders’ combined color identities.
2022-06-10 If your commander loses the choose a Background ability or stops being a Background during the game, as appropriate, it is still your commander.
2022-06-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won’t have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 combat damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined (although your Background won’t usually be a creature anyway).
2022-06-10 You can choose two commanders that are the same color or colors.