Song of Totentanz MTG Card


Extra draw and mana ramping can give players a significant strategic advantage. Instant speed allows for surprise moves and better reaction to opponents. Despite its power, the card’s drawbacks include a discard requirement.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Create X 1/1 black Rat creature tokens with "This creature can't block." Creatures you control gain haste until end of turn.

Townsfolk tapped their feet and hummed along, unwittingly amplifying the tune that would summon their doom.


Cards like Song of Totentanz

Song of Totentanz finds its niche among multifaceted removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It can be seen parallel to Terminate, another spell unrivaled in its ability to unconditionally destroy a target creature. While Terminate lacks the sweep of hitting multiple creatures, it compensates with a leaner mana cost and an absence of color restrictions. Then, we have Damnation, a spell sharing the mass removal trait with Song of Totentanz. However, Damnation encompasses a wider purging, offering no reprieve to any creatures on the battlefield, friend or foe. Where Song of Totentanz differs notably is in its now-famous ‘conscription’ twist, enabling the reanimation of fallen minions to shift battles dramatically.

Decree of Pain is another relative in this comparison, sweeping away creatures and rewarding the caster with an influx of new cards. This spell rewards high play for its capacity to refuel a player’s hand, something Song of Totentanz forgoes for the potential of an immediate and threatening board presence.

In the landscape of MTG, Song of Totentanz positions itself as a potent contender among creature removals, offering unique opportunities for strategic resurrection, tipping the scales of a game with a well-timed cast.

Terminate - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Decree of Pain - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Decree of Pain - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Song of Totentanz. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros ControlBoros Control StandardBoros ControlTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 1, 2024
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange StandardBoros TokensThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Mardu AggroMardu Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024
Jeskai ComboJeskai Combo StandardJeskai Tokens16 Day3
Boros TokensBoros Tokens StandardBoros TokensStandard Challenge 64 2024-02-11
Rakdos TokensRakdos Tokens StandardRakdos SacrificeWHITE - SAT - 12PM - Chicago Standard Cup
Boros ConvokeBoros Convoke StandardBoros ConvokeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Boros EnchantmentsBoros Enchantments StandardBoros Tokens~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event
Mono-Red ControlMono-Red Control StandardMono-Red ControlStandard Challenge 64 2024-01-21
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Song of Totentanz card is designed to provide players with an upper hand by offering an additional draw. This move can be crucial for players looking to consolidate their position on the battlefield with a greater selection of options at their disposal.

Resource Acceleration: Accelerating resources is at the core of what makes Song of Totentanz valuable. It grants you the ability to swiftly ramp up your mana resources, providing a strategic edge that can be used to cast more demanding spells or to deploy larger creatures earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: This card operates at instant speed, which is a flexible tool for any strategic player. The benefit of casting spells at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to their actions cannot be overstated. This feature allows for adaptability and tactical responses to the ever-changing conditions of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Song of Totentanz requires players to discard a card as part of its activation, which could be a drawback when a player’s hand is already depleted or when every card in hand is vital for upcoming strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a particular combination of mana types that might not seamlessly integrate into all deck builds, thereby potentially limiting its utility to decks that can reliably produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment needed to play Song of Totentanz, players may find it challenging to incorporate it into a game where quicker, lower-cost spells could be more immediately impactful or when the mana could be allocated to develop the board presence instead.


Reasons to Include Song of Totentanz in Your Collection

Versatility: Song of Totentanz brings flexibility to deck building by serving multiple roles. It can disrupt opponents’ strategies while setting up your own game plan, seamlessly fitting into a variety of decks that revolve around graveyard manipulation or spell recursion.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that capitalize on the number of creatures in graveyards or the casting of multiple spells in a turn, enabling powerful combos that can rapidly tilt the board in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: As the competitive landscape evolves, having cards that respond to popular strategies is key. Song of Totentanz has the ability to challenge decks that rely heavily on creature-based tactics, making it a prudent choice for a meta where board presence is crucial.


How to beat

The challenge of overcoming the power of the Song of Totentanz card in a match of Magic: The Gathering cannot be overstated. This sinister card can dominate the battlefield by harnessing the strength of your opponent’s graveyard. Thus, to nullify its formidable effect, strategic graveyard management is crucial. Learning to proactively anticipate its play and keeping your graveyard thin with cards like Tormod’s Crypt or by employing spells like Rest in Peace that exile graveyards could save the day. Additionally, bounce spells, enchantment destruction, or the inclusion of cards capable of exiling other permanents ensure that you stand a fighting chance against the tide of reanimated creatures that Song of Totentanz can potentially unleash.

Directly interfering with the card by utilizing countermeasures like Disenchant or Krosan Grip during the casting process, or before its ability resolves, could prevent the song from ever taking effect. Keeping such options in your sideboard or main deck, depending on your metagame, could prove invaluable. Mitigating the impact of Song of Totentanz becomes a game of forethought and meticulous planning, ensuring your opponent’s payoff is as small as possible or ideally non-existent.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Song of Totentanz MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Promos and Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Song of Totentanz and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Song of Totentanz Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 150p2015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
22023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 1502015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
32023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 3532015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos
42023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 150s2015NormalBlackRandy Gallegos

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Song of Totentanz has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Only creatures you control at the time Song of Totentanz resolves, including the Rat tokens it creates, will gain haste. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won't be affected.