Sever Soul MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 159
2003-07-28 - Number 162★
2003-07-28 - Number 162
2005-08-22 - Number A16
2005-08-22 - Number A15
2006-01-01 - Number 15
2006-01-01 - Number 16
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated. You gain life equal to its toughness.
"With the proper tools, even the Great River can be dammed." —Ta-Spon, Cho-Arrim executioner
Cards like Sever Soul
Sever Soul carves its niche in the realm of life-gaining removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against other similar cards, such as Consume Spirit. Both cards allow you to remove a creature and gain life equal to its power. Nevertheless, Sever Soul edges out by not requiring the mana be spent to match the creature’s power, instead having a fixed cost and the added benefit of not being color-restricted to its life gain.
Looking to Sip of Hemlock, we find a somewhat comparable spell. Sip of Hemlock also destroys a creature, but without offering the player any life gain, and comes at a higher mana cost which can be less efficient in dire situations. In contrast, Murder is another comparable instant that straightforwardly executes creatures without the life gain bonus but at a more affordable mana cost and the versatility of being an instant.
Ultimately, when evaluating removal options in MTG, Sever Soul provides a unique blend of creature control and player sustain, situating it as a strategic choice for those seeking to stabilize their health while dealing with threats on the board.
Cards similar to Sever Soul by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By removing a creature from the battlefield and allowing you to draw a card, Sever Soul provides a two-for-one deal. This can be a significant swing in resources, leaving you better positioned in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sever Soul doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, eliminating a threat can save the resources that would otherwise be spent managing it, effectively smooth your plays and streamline your strategy.
Instant Speed: This spell’s sorcery speed means you have to use it in your own main phase, which requires strategic planning to maximize its potential. Knowing when to deploy this removal can significantly disrupt your opponent’s game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other removal options, Sever Soul necessitates the discard of a card as part of its casting. This can be a hefty price, especially when your hand is already running low on cards, as it compels a player to potentially sacrifice critical resources or game plans.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell has a strict mana requirement, demanding both black and generic mana. This specificity can be a drawback in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency. Decks that don’t generate black mana efficiently will find Sever Soul challenging, if not impossible, to cast.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana, Sever Soul can be a heavy investment, particularly when there are other lower-cost spells available that can remove creatures from play. In fast-paced games, its high mana requirement might stall your plays or leave you defenseless against more agile opponents.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sever Soul is a powerful card that can be slotted into a variety of black decks as reliable removal. Not only does it destroy a target nonblack creature, which are prevalent in many formats, but it also offers the added benefit of gaining life equal to that creature’s toughness.
Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well in decks that capitalize on life gain and creature removal. Pairing it with cards that trigger abilities off life gain or destruction of a creature can turn Sever Soul into a key combo piece in a strategic deck build.
Meta-Relevance: Given the consistent presence of creature-based strategies in the meta, Sever Soul maintains relevance as a handy tool. Its ability to disrupt opponents while bolstering your own life total can swing games in your favor, especially in a meta heavy with aggro decks.
How to Beat Sever Soul
Sever Soul stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful removal spell with the added benefit of life gain. Much like the infamous Murder, it offers a straightforward solution to eliminate creature threats. However, what gives Sever Soul its unique edge is the life gain equal to the destroyed creature’s toughness.
Yet, the significant mana cost can be a vulnerability. In comparison, spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, with their lower mana requirements, can handle creature threats more efficiently in terms of resource management. Players can also turn to countermagic like Negate or Dispel to intercept Sever Soul altogether, preventing both the creature removal and the potential life swing.
Considering these factors, while Sever Soul can be a game-changer, it is not without its weaknesses. A strategic approach that emphasizes timing and resource conservation can effectively counteract the advantages provided by Sever Soul, keeping your creatures safe and maintaining the upper hand in the battlefield dynamic.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sever Soul MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Eighth Edition, 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 Sever Soul 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 Sever Soul Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2006-01-01. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 159 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 162★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Glen Angus | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 162 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus | |
| 4 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A16 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus | |
| 5 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | A15 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus | |
| 6 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 15 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus | |
| 7 | 2006-01-01 | Hachette UK | PHUK | 16 | 2003 | Normal | White | Glen Angus |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sever Soul has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |