Scourge of Numai MTG Card

Scourge of Numai ensures card advantage and can potentially clear board obstacles, aiding your momentum. The card’s mana requirements and discard cost may limit its integration in diverse deck strategies. In the right deck, Scourge of Numai’s combo potential and versatility can be a significant asset.

Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Demon Spirit
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	80
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Arnie Swekel

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 2 life if you don't control an Ogre.

"Where a once-proud human city stood, only the ruins of Numai remain, deep amid rotting bamboo and plagued by oni." —*The History of Kamigawa*

Cards like Scourge of Numai

Scourge of Numai stands as a unique creature in the MTG universe, particularly among cards that bring a self-inflicting challenge to the battlefield. Much like the Scourge of Numai, which deals damage to its controller during the upkeep phase, Pain Seer bears a similar risk-reward gameplay factor. While Pain Seer may not impact your life total during upkeep like the Scourge, it does present a perilous unknown with its inspired mechanic, possibly inflicting as much or even more damage when untapped.

Another card that echoes this self-damaging dynamic is Phyrexian Arena. This iconic enchantment also ensures a steady flow of card advantage at the expense of life. However, unlike Scourge of Numai, it does not require a sacrifice to maintain. The consistent life drain is predictable and can be planned around, contrasting with Scourge’s potentially higher single-turn life loss.

Ultimately, Scourge of Numai offers an intriguing blend of pain for power among MTG creatures. Its comparative mechanics reflect the complex decisions players face in managing their resources, both in life and on the board. Notably, each card serves a specific role in various deck strategies, showcasing the diverse array of choices available to MTG players.

Cards similar to Scourge of Numai by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scourge of Numai provides an excellent opportunity to clear the board while simultaneously refilling your hand, ensuring you won’t lose momentum during critical turns.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly offering mana or treasure tokens, Scourge of Numai can potentially remove obstacles that hinder your resource progression, smoothing the way for a more robust mana curve.

Instant Speed: Scourge of Numai operates at sorcery speed, yet its potential to disrupt the board state at a crucial moment can be as game-changing as any instant, making it a formidable tool in your arsenal when timing your plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As part of its activation cost, Scourge of Numai compels players to discard a card. This can be particularly detrimental when a player’s hand is already depleted, potentially forcing them to sacrifice key pieces in their strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The card requires black mana, necessitating a commitment to specific colors in a player’s deck configuration. This could restrict its scalability across various deck types that may not run black mana or prefer a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana to play, Scourge of Numai is competing with other cards in its casting range. Considering the cost and the additional discard requirement, some players might opt for alternative creatures or spells that provide more immediate board impact or less stringent casting conditions.

Reasons to Include Scourge of Numai in Your Collection

Versatility: Scourge of Numai offers an intriguing option for deckbuilders looking for a resilient creature. Its ability to deal damage to each player makes it a valuable piece in decks that manipulate life totals or thrive on symmetrical effects.

Combo Potential: The card has interesting synergies within the framework of sacrifice and life-loss strategies. Being part of combos that capitalize on such mechanics, Scourge of Numai can serve as an engine in the right build, particularly in formats where unconventional strategies can shine.

Meta-Relevance: Within certain metagames, a card like Scourge of Numai might rise in utility, especially if there’s a prevalence of decks that can exploit its abilities. In environments where players are less prepared for incremental life-loss strategies or damaging stalemates, Scourge of Numai could be an unexpected trump card.

How to beat

Scourge of Numai, with its daunting presence on the battlefield, presents players with a formidable challenge in MTG. This creature brings significant punch to the table, and its upkeep cost can be as much a liability to its controller as it is a strength. The key to overcoming this card lies in timing and the right removal arsenal. As the Scourge depends heavily on a player’s life to stay around, consistent pressure on an opponent’s life total can make the upkeep cost too steep for them to bear.

Maintain a swift board presence, and include removal spells that can handle such powerful creatures without requiring a sacrifice from your side. Cards that can exile Scourge of Numai or force your opponent to sacrifice it bypass the creature’s raw power. Additionally, taking advantage of the moment when an opponent is low on life and less able to pay Scourge’s upkeep cost might just be the window you need to turn the tides. Having your own powerful creatures on the board to challenge it directly can also tip the scales in your favor.

Ultimately, facing down the Scourge of Numai is a test of strategy and resource management. Keep control, and remember that every creature has its Achilles’ heel, no matter how mighty it may seem.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scourge of Numai MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Scourge of Numai and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scourge of Numai has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal