Soul Scourge MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Creature — Nightmare Horror |
Abilities | Flying |
Released | 2002-02-04 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Torment |
Set code | TOR |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 2 |
Number | 85 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Carl Critchlow |
Text of card
Flying When Soul Scourge comes into play, target player loses 3 life. When Soul Scourge leaves play, that player gains 3 life.
Cards like Soul Scourge
Delving into the world of black flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Soul Scourge carves out its niche among other haunters of the skies. It invites a comparison with cards like Abyssal Nightstalker, which also offers flying but has a conditional discard ability that Soul Scourge lacks. Both cards demand a tactical understanding of timing and hand management, with Soul Scourge providing an upfront detrimental effect to the opponent’s life total upon entering and exiting the battlefield.
Considering Skulking Ghost, another creature that haunts the battlefield with evasion, we see that while it’s cost-effective, it doesn’t impact life totals as Soul Scourge does. The immediate life loss with Soul Scourge intensifies the pressure on the opponent, granting it a distinctive edge in specific builds that aim to deplete an opponent’s life directly.
Examining these comparisons showcases Soul Scourge’s unique role within MTG; it plays a dual-threat role through its enter and exit effects. While other cards in its category share attributes like flying mobility, Soul Scourge’s consistent life-draining ability sets it apart, making it a valuable piece in an aggressive black deck strategy aimed at swiftly reducing the opponent’s life total.
Cards similar to Soul Scourge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Offering a unique approach to hand replenishment, the Soul Scourge card enables players to regain the upper hand, turning the tide of the game by potentially drawing into key resources or answers.
Resource Acceleration: This card is adept at speeding up your game plan. By manipulating graveyards and other synergies, it can effectively generate additional resources, setting up for a powerful mid to late-game presence.
Instant Speed: The alacrity of being able to play Soul Scourge at instant speed provides players with the flexibility to adapt dynamically in response to an opponent’s actions, maintaining a strategic advantage and control over the pace of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Soul Scourge obliges players to discard another card to unleash its full potential, which impairs your hand and can be particularly constraining when your resources are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting both black and red mana in its casting cost, this card requires a dedicated color commitment, making it less flexible and harder to incorporate into multi-colored or colorless decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that requires a notable investment, players might find that there are alternative creatures or spells that offer more impactful board presence or immediate effects for the same, or even lower, mana cost.
Reasons to Include Soul Scourge in Your Collection
Versatility: Soul Scourge brings flexibility to your arsenal, fitting seamlessly into decks that prioritize life point swings and aggressive strategies. Its ability to immediately impact your opponent’s life total makes it a solid choice for various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies emphasizing life loss and gain. Imagine the possibilities when pairing Soul Scourge with other cards that leverage life as a resource or amplify damage effects, augmenting its inherent value within your deck’s combo framework.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where life totals can be a tightrope walk, having a card like Soul Scourge can tilt the balance in your favor. It can serve as an unexpected trump card, dealing decisive blows to decks that are unprepared for such direct life total manipulation.
How to beat Soul Scourge
Soul Scourge, a creature that dips into a player’s life total, can pose a threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. To counteract this menace, one effective strategy is direct removal. Employing removal spells such as Doom Blade or Murder can swiftly handle the creature before it starts its life-draining ability. If removal isn’t at hand, another approach could be to use lifegain strategies to offset the life loss caused by Soul Scourge. Cards such as Rest for the Weary or the well-known Kitchen Finks can help maintain your life total in a perilous situation.
Alternatively, countering the creature spell outright is a clean solution. Counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent Soul Scourge from ever entering the battlefield. Lastly, beating Soul Scourge might also mean playing defensively. Wall of Omens or Guard Gomazoa can block it effectively without much cost. When sizing up how to maintain an upper hand against Soul Scourge, consider these tips based on your deck’s strengths and make timely decisions to nullify its impact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soul Scourge MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Soul Scourge 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Soul Scourge has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |