Slum Reaper MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 77
2018-06-08 - Number 160
2018-11-02 - Number 52
2018-12-07 - Number 114
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Slum Reaper enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices a creature.
It's sent into unguilded districts by the Orzhov to collect the souls of those no one will miss.
Cards like Slum Reaper
Slum Reaper is a unique creature in the MTG universe offering a distinct take on board control. Like the Reaper, Fleshbag Marauder also demands a sacrifice from each player when it enters the battlefield. However, Slum Reaper’s higher casting cost might be a sticking point for some decks focused on speed. Conversely, Innocent Blood serves a similar purpose at a significantly lower cost, but it’s a sorcery and doesn’t provide you with a creature on the field.
Merciless Executioner is another creature closely resembling Slum Reaper, sharing the same power, toughness, and ability at an identical mana cost. The decision between these two may come down to the player’s strategy or the creature types in their deck, as Executioner is an Orc while Slum Reaper is a Horror. Then there’s Plaguecrafter which, for the same cost, offers an additional benefit – if an opponent can’t sacrifice a creature, they must discard a card or sacrifice a planeswalker instead, adding layers to potential strategic plays.
Each of these comparisons brings something different to the table, making Slum Reaper an interesting choice for players looking to leverage sacrifices for control in their MTG deck building strategies. The Reaper’s impact on the game can swing in your favor, especially in multi-player scenarios where each opponent loses a creature.
Cards similar to Slum Reaper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Slum Reaper, when entering the battlefield, requires each player to sacrifice a creature. This can act as a removal tool and potentially provide you with a substantial advantage over your opponent, especially if you are sacrificing a less valuable creature or using creatures with death-triggered abilities.
Resource Acceleration: While Slum Reaper itself does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to negatively impact the board state can indirectly speed up your gameplay. By eliminating key creatures your opponent controls, you pave the way for a faster, more aggressive strategy.
Instant Speed: Although Slum Reaper operates at sorcery speed, its effect can be paired with instant-speed tricks to maximize its impact. For example, casting a removal spell in response to the Reaper’s trigger can force your opponent to sacrifice an even more valuable creature, turning the tide of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When Slum Reaper enters the battlefield, each player must sacrifice a creature, which could potentially backfire if you are unable to spare any of your creatures or are facing an opponent with expendable tokens.
Specific Mana Cost: Slum Reaper requires one black mana in its casting cost, making it exclusive to decks that can produce black mana, thereby limiting its flexibility in multi-colored decks or those that do not focus on black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of four, Slum Reaper might come into play too late, especially when faster, low-cost alternatives for creature control are available that can disrupt an opponent’s strategy earlier in the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Slum Reaper fits into a wide array of black themed decks that thrive on creature sacrifice for gain. It’s not just a creature; it’s a utility card that can serve as a removal spell when played correctly.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to force each player to sacrifice a creature opens up potential for synergies in decks that capitalize on death triggers or require the controlled removal of your own problematic creatures for a strategic advantage.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly shifting MTG environment, Slum Reaper might find a home in metas saturated with token decks, where its sacrifice effect can be a game changer, or in matchups where resetting the board is pivotal.
How to beat
Slum Reaper presents a unique challenge in the MTG realm, with a powerful enter-the-battlefield effect that forces each player to sacrifice a creature. Overcoming this card requires strategic play, involving the management of creature assets and timing. To mitigate the Reaper’s impact, consider maintaining creature tokens or expendable creatures on your battlefield to offer up as a sacrifice. Alternatively, instant-speed removal spells can eliminate the Reaper before its effect triggers, preserving your more valuable creatures.
Playing around Slum Reaper can also involve deck building choices; including creatures that benefit from dying or that can be sacrificed for an advantage can turn the Reaper’s ability into a boon for you. Cards like Doomed Traveler, which leaves behind a flying token when it dies, or creatures with undying, effectively neutralize the Reaper’s downside. In the tactical chess of MTG, mastering when to play your creatures and how to exploit the Reaper’s symmetric effect can transform a potential threat into an opportunity to gain board superiority.
Remember, planning for triggers like the Reaper’s, keeping track of potential removals, and understanding the pace of the game are key to navigating encounters with this card effectively. By staying one step ahead, you can shepherd your strategy to victory despite the daunting presence of Slum Reaper.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slum Reaper MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Battlebond, 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 Slum Reaper 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
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Printings
The Slum Reaper Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 160 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2018-11-02 | GRN Guild Kit | GK1 | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 4 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slum Reaper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Slum Reaper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-12-07 | As Slum Reaper’s ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses a creature they control, then each other player in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Then all the chosen creatures are sacrificed at the same time. |
| 2018-12-07 | If any player controls no creatures, that player simply doesn’t sacrifice anything. Each other player still sacrifices a creature. |
| 2018-12-07 | Slum Reaper may be the creature its controller sacrifices for its own ability. |