Slaughter the Strong MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 22
2020-11-20 - Number 48
2022-06-10 - Number 43
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Each player chooses any number of creatures he or she controls with total power 4 or less, then sacrifices all other creatures he or she controls.
"Cut the beasts out from under them and their strength is nothing." —Vona of Iedo, Butcher of Magan
Cards like Slaughter the Strong
Slaughter the Strong offers a unique angle on controlling the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It invites a comparison with card like Dusk // Dawn, which also promises to keep larger threats in check. However, Slaughter the Strong requires players to make careful decisions as it mandates that all creatures be sacrificed until each player controls a combined power of 4 or less. This can sometimes leave players with some creatures on the board, unlike Dusk // Dawn, which removes all creatures with power 3 or greater, irrespective of the total power on the board.
Another parallel can be drawn with Tragic Arrogance, an option that allows more control over the outcome by forcing a player to choose creatures to keep according to preset conditions. Slaughter the Strong, in contrast, offers no such luxury, presenting a non-optional sweep based on collective power. Furthermore, while Day of Judgment boasts a comparable clearing effect by destroying all creatures, it does so without the tight restriction on power total, fundamentally altering the strategic implications for both players’ boards.
Considering these comparable cards, Slaughter the Strong emerges as a distinctive choice in player strategy, requiring careful timing and board consideration to maximize its efficacy while minimizing its potential drawbacks in Magic: The Gathering gameplay scenarios.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Slaughter the Strong offers a unique form of card advantage by potentially clearing several opposing creatures from the battlefield while leaving you with your strongest creature. This swing in board presence can drastically shift the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Unlike direct resource acceleration, this card indirectly accelerates your resources by decimating multiple high-cost creatures your opponent controls. This can set back their strategy and resource development, effectively giving you a lead in the race for board dominance.
Instant Speed: Slaughter the Strong’s sorcery speed prompts strategic planning, encouraging careful consideration of the best moment to reshape the battlefield. Although not at instant speed, its powerful effect is a strategic tool that can be used post-combat to maximize its impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Slaughter the Strong does not specifically mandate discarding cards, it can indirectly cause you to do so. This sorcery asks each player to choose creatures with total power 4 or less, meaning you might have to sacrifice some of your own stronger creatures, which is nearly akin to discarding powerful cards from your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and generic mana, the card’s mana cost can be restrictive. Decks not centered around white mana may find it difficult to accommodate such specific needs, especially when a deck’s mana base is built to support a different color combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, Slaughter the Strong may come off as reasonable at first glance. However, when compared to other removal spells in the game that can deal with individual threats at a lower cost, Slaughter the Strong might leave you behind in tempo, particularly in fast-paced matchups where mana efficiency is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Slaughter the Strong offers a unique approach to board control that can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds. This card thrives in decks that aim to minimize creature threats without being constrained by the typical mana cost limitations of board wipes.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that bounce your own creatures to your hand or creatures that benefit from being in the graveyard, Slaughter the Strong can become a pivotal part of a cunning removal strategy, turning a potential downside into a surprising advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by decks that go wide with creature swarms or emphasize powerful creature combos, Slaughter the Strong acts as a potent equalizer. Its ability to disrupt opponent strategies and maintain game balance makes it a crucial addition for anyone facing creature-heavy decks in the current meta.
How to beat
Slaughter the Strong is a unique piece of the control puzzle in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out as a powerful board wipe, compelling each player to choose creatures with a combined power of 4 or less to survive the culling. This card disrupts opponents’ strategies, especially those who favor large, single threats or an army of smaller creatures aiming to overwhelm.
To effectively counteract Slaughter the Strong, players should be mindful of the board state and adapt their playstyle. Deploying creatures with potent enter-the-battlefield abilities can leverage the situation even when facing a reduced board presence. Additionally, utilizing cards with indestructible or those that can be revived from the graveyard ensures that your key creatures can weather the effect of this restrictive spell.
Also consider playing instant-speed spells that buff your creatures’ toughness, not power, which can potentially save them from Slaughter the Strong’s stringent limit. Incorporating these strategies not only diminishes the impact of Slaughter the Strong but can also turn a seemingly disadvantageous position into a tactical advantage in your MTG matches.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the subtle intricacies of MTG not only enhances your gameplay, but also adds depth to your strategic toolkit. Slaughter the Strong stands out as a tactic worth mastering, with its capacity to pivot the tide of battle in one fell swoop. As you continue to refine your deck and play style, we encourage you to delve deeper into the potential of this card. Whether it’s finding the perfect moment to deploy this game-changer or integrating it into a combo that capitalizes on its effect, there’s much to explore. Ready to harness the full power of Slaughter the Strong? Dive in with us for insightful strategies and expert tips to outmaneuver your opponents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slaughter the Strong MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Commander Legends, 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 the Strong and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Slaughter the Strong Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Vargas | |
| 3 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 43 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Leonardo Santanna |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slaughter the Strong has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Slaughter the Strong card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | As Slaughter the Strong resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses which creatures will be spared, then each other player in turn order does the same knowing the choices made before them. Then all the creatures not chosen are sacrificed simultaneously. |
| 2020-11-10 | If a creature's power is somehow less than 0, it subtracts from the total power of the other creatures its controller chooses. This can cause creatures with power 5 or greater to survive. |
| 2020-11-10 | Slaughter the Strong has each player choose any number of creatures and then checks that the total power of creatures each player chose this way is 4 or less. For example, you could save two 2/2 creatures, or a 1/1 and a 3/3 creature, but not all four of those creatures. |