Slaughter Cry MTG Card

Can tip combat in your favor, indirectly leading to card advantage. Saves resources by potentially obviating the need for later spells. Instant speed allows for tactical plays during the opponent’s turn.

Zendikar (ZEN)
2009-10-02 - Number 149

Magic 2012 (M12)
2011-07-15 - Number 155

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature gets +3/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

"Since when did 'AIIIEEEE!' become a negotiation tactic?" —Nikou, Joraga bard

Cards like Slaughter Cry

Slaughter Cry represents an interesting spot in the pantheon of combat tricks within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability lets a creature you control gain +3/+0 and first strike until the end of the turn. When we look at other cards offering similar boosts, Brute Force comes to mind – providing a comparable strength increase with its +3/+3 until end of turn, albeit lacking the first strike advantage.

Moving on, Titan’s Strength offers another perspective. While it grants less power with a +3/+1 bonus, it also scrys 1, giving you a slight edge in card selection. While both spells can easily swing combat in your favor, Slaughter Cry’s first strike addition can be a decisive factor in surviving the combat phase. Rush of Adrenaline is yet another relative, giving a creature +2/+1 and trample, which can be crucial for settings where getting through defensive lines is key.

In the broad scope of creature enhancers in Magic: The Gathering, Slaughter Cry finds its niche with its first strike ability, providing a strategic edge in combat that not all similar cards can offer.

Cards similar to Slaughter Cry by color, type and mana cost

Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions

Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions

Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Slaughter Cry does not directly allow a player to draw cards, it can indirectly contribute to card advantage by enabling a key creature to survive combat or trade up, potentially removing an opposing creature without losing one’s own.

Resource Acceleration: Slaughter Cry isn’t a traditional resource acceleration card. However, its ability to quickly turn the tide of battle can save resources that might have been spent on more expensive removal or creature spells later on.

Instant Speed: Slaughter Cry’s instant speed is a significant asset, allowing players to react unexpectedly during combat. This can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, save a blocker or attacker, or otherwise make advantageous combat adjustments on the fly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Slaughter Cry is that it mandates that a card be discarded for it to be cast. For a player already with a dwindling hand, this additional cost can prove to be a significant setback, potentially stripping away a valuable asset that might be crucial for subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a specific mana requirement that includes red, Slaughter Cry has a degree of inflexibility that could hinder its integration into multi-colored decks. This red mana stipulation confines the card’s synergy, primarily aligning it with mono-red or certain two-colored decks, which may reduce its applicability in a broader range of strategic setups.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, its mana valuing places it at a higher cost tier relative to other combat tricks available in the game. With the red mana that Slaughter Cry consumes, players may find that there are other spells or creatures that could provide a more consistent or impactful advantage on the battlefield, considering the competitive dynamics of MTG.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Slaughter Cry is a card that finds a place in various red-based decks, offering a timely boost that can swing the game in your favor, whether it’s aggressive strategies or complementing midrange creatures.

Combo Potential: When paired with creatures that have abilities like trample or double strike, Slaughter Cry enhances those effects, effectively turning any creature into a significant threat.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by creature-focused decks, the instant speed of Slaughter Cry provides the element of surprise and the power to turn the tide in otherwise evenly-matched battles.

How to beat

Slaughter Cry is a card that can change the combat dynamics on the board by giving one of your creatures a surprising boost. When facing this card, the most direct approach to maintaining dominance is through the removal of the key threats before they can benefit from the buff. Counter spells are particularly effective when played against Slaughter Cry since they prevent the spell from resolving in the first place, keeping the battlefield in your favor.

Another effective tactic is to always be cautious about open mana from an opponent who could cast Slaughter Cry. Preemptive plays such as using instant-speed removal in response to the casting of Slaughter Cry will leave your opponent’s mana and card spent with no benefit. Additionally, having creatures with reach or flash can serve as a deterrent, providing you with blockers that can be played in surprise, minimizing the impact of sudden attacking buffs.

Taking these measures can significantly decrease the effectiveness of Slaughter Cry. By anticipating it and having a plan in place, you can neutralize the threat and maintain control of the game’s pace and board state, ultimately leading your strategy towards victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Slaughter Cry MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Magic 2012, 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 Slaughter Cry and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Slaughter Cry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2011-07-15. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-10-02	Zendikar	ZEN		149	2003	Normal	Black	Matt Cavotta
2	2011-07-15	Magic 2012	M12		155	2003	Normal	Black	Matt Cavotta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slaughter Cry has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-10-01	If a creature doesn’t have first strike, granting it first strike after combat damage has been dealt in the first combat damage step won’t prevent it from dealing combat damage. It will still assign and deal its combat damage in the second combat damage step.