Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Knight |
| Released | 2022-07-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | HBG |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 9u |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ben Hill |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, target creature you control gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the number of creature, instant, and sorcery cards in your graveyard.
Cards like Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper
Exploring the rogue gallery of MTG, Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper offers a unique twist on commanders that interact with death triggers. Sarevok can stand shoulder to shoulder with cards such as Teysa Karlov, who doubles the effects of death triggers. While Teysa offers multiplicative value for such effects, Sarevok provides a more direct path by creating Treasure tokens as creatures you control die, supplying you with ample mana to fuel your spells.
Another card worth mentioning in comparison to Sarevok is Pitiless Plunderer. This card also converts creature deaths into fast mana options, by creating Treasure tokens. Yet, Sarevok brings additional utility with his draw-a-card ability, setting him apart as both a mana source and card advantage engine. Finally, Sir Konrad the Grim enters the fray as a figure of comparison. While he lacks the ability to produce mana, he extends his influence across all dying creatures, not just your own, and can deal damage to each opponent, making him a valuable asset in games with multiple players.
Each of these cards can lead to a distinct strategy, but Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper carves out a niche, blending mana generation with card draw upon creature deaths, making him a formidable presence in the vast universe of MTG commanders.
Cards similar to Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper offers a significant boost in card advantage with its ability to exile a creature and potentially draw a card. This not only removes a threat from the battlefield but also refills your hand, keeping you ahead in resources.
Resource Acceleration: The ability of this card to create a Treasure token when it causes a creature to die adds a layer of resource acceleration to your strategy. This can propel you forward by providing extra mana for future turns, ensuring you have the resources to play higher cost spells sooner.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper can’t be overstated. Its interaction at instant speed allows you to navigate the game tactically, making crucial decisions based on the evolving game state and catching opponents off-guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper comes with the stipulation that a card must be discarded to activate certain abilities, which can be a significant drawback when your hand is already running empty. Balancing your plays to ensure you get the most out of Sarevok’s abilities without depleting essential resources can be a tricky endeavor, particularly in long-drawn games where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost that is exclusively black, Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper demands a commitment to black mana resources. This requirement may deter deck builders from incorporating Sarevok into more diverse mana base decks, limiting its integration to mostly mono-black or black-heavy multicolor decks where mana fixing is less of a concern.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the steeper side, Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper can be a heavy investment in the early game. Players may find that there are other creatures or spells at a lower cost that could provide more immediate impact on the board state. This can make Sarevok less attractive in aggressive strategies that prioritize a quick buildup or in metagames where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper in Your Collection
Versatility: Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper offers a dynamic blend of abilities that enable it to adapt to various strategies. Its capability to act as both removal and a source to reanimate creatures ensures its place in numerous deck builds.
Combo Potential: With Sarevok, the potential to unlock game-changing combos is significant. Its interaction with death triggers and graveyard mechanics can set the stage for powerful plays that can quickly shift the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: This card thrives in environments where creatures frequently enter and leave the battlefield. Given the current trends in gameplay, owning a card like Sarevok could provide the edge needed to outmaneuver opponents and dominate in competitive settings.
How to beat
Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper offers a unique set of challenges on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This card stands out for its ability to disrupt the opponent’s resources while sustaining its controller’s hand and field presence. Unraveling its power starts with understanding its mechanics; it hinges on card advantage by exiling the top card of a player’s library, potentially turning the tide of the game.
To combat Sarevok’s influence, players should prioritize maintaining hand size to mitigate the impact of its ability. Using instant-speed removal or counterspells preemptively can neutralize Sarevok before its controller benefits from its abilities. Additionally, graveyard retrieval spells can reclaim the card advantage lost to Sarevok’s disruptive power. Board presence is also critical; establishing a line of strong defenders can deter the attacking potential that Sarevok’s controller might leverage.
Effective counter-strategies revolve around anticipating the exile ability and safeguarding one’s key cards. It’s essential to adapt one’s gameplay to either answer Sarevok immediately upon its appearance or to minimize the advantages it grants its wielder. Understanding these dynamics can turn the tide against Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper, maintaining the competitive edge in any match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sarevok, Deceitful Usurper MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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, Deceitful Usurper and other MTG cards:
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