Specter of Mortality MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 107
2023-09-08 - Number 342
2023-09-08 - Number 107p
2023-09-08 - Number 107s
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Specter |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying When Specter of Mortality enters the battlefield, you may exile one or more creature cards from your graveyard. When you do, each other creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of cards exiled this way.
Cards like Specter of Mortality
Specter of Mortality shines in Magic: The Gathering as a fresh entry into the lineup of fearsome flyer cards. It carries echoes of iconic cards like Vampire Nighthawk, which also boasts an impressive suite of abilities alongside flying. Vampire Nighthawk is valued for its lifelink and deathtouch abilities, creating a formidable defensive and offensive presence. Specter of Mortality, while lacking lifelink, compensates with its potential to affect board state through its unique abilities.
Lurking in the same sky as Dungeon Geists, the Specter also offers a creature-locking ability upon entering the battlefield. Dungeon Geists lock down an opponent’s creature for as long as you control them, whereas Specter of Mortality brings a temporary powerhouse status that can disrupt strategies at crucial turns. Another similar menace is Abyssal Specter, with its penchant for causing hand disruption. Though it doesn’t have the board impact Specter of Mortality may have, Abyssal Specter’s consistent pressure on the opponent’s hand resources molds the course of the match differently.
Examining these similar cards, Specter of Mortality stands out with its own brand of aerial intimidation and tactical advantage. It potentially alters the state of the game profoundly, cementing its status as a card worth considering for deck builders who value adaptability and control of the skies.
Cards similar to Specter of Mortality by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Specter of Mortality grants players the upper hand by forcing opponents to discard, effectively whittling down their resources while you maintain your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does it unsettle opponents’ strategies with its discard effect, but it also can act as a catalyst for your own, powering up strategies reliant on your adversary’s empty-handed state to accelerate your board presence.
Instant Speed: With the ability to play at instant speed, this card provides flexibility in your playstyle. You can confidently pass the turn with mana untapped, ready to deploy the Specter of Mortality at the most opportune moment, hindering your opponent’s plans during their own phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Specter of Mortality comes with a downside of having to discard a card which can sometimes lead to a depletion of your hand, especially during the late game where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for casting Specter of Mortality includes specific colors that may not easily fit in with all deck types, potentially limiting its versatility across different strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value, there are alternative creatures or spells you might consider that could provide you a similar or even greater impact on the game at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Specter of Mortality proves to be a flexible addition to various deck archetypes. Its ability to act as both a threat and a control element can seamlessly fit into your strategy, be it an aggressive tempo or a more calculated control setup.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a critical piece in combo decks, bringing with it potent synergies particularly with graveyard and sacrifice mechanics, elevating your gameplay with new ways to outmaneuver your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: With the speed of the current MTG meta-game, Specter of Mortality holds its ground, offering significant value as it interacts with the prevalent decks and counters various popular plays efficiently, making it a worthy contender in your roster.
How to beat
The Specter of Mortality offers a unique challenge to players in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature thrives on combat, growing stronger as it defeats opponents’ creatures. To effectively neutralize this threat, it’s important to employ a strategy that limits one’s losses in battle. Utilizing cards that can bypass the Specter’s power, such as removal spells like Path to Exile or board wipes like Damnation, can effectively counteract the ongoing threat it poses.
Another angle is to focus on prevention rather than direct confrontation. Cards that restrict the ability to attack can be invaluable, as can instant speed removal that can be used before the Specter of Mortality has the chance to declare an attack. This tactic enables a strategic defense, maintaining a balanced board while working to remove the Specter from play.
Devising a strategy around the Specter’s strengths and weaknesses allows players to mitigate its potential impact. By incorporating efficient removal and preventative measures into your deck, the Specter of Mortality can be managed, allowing you to navigate around its threat and press towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Specter of Mortality MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine 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 Specter of Mortality 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
Printings
The Specter of Mortality Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 342 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 3 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 107p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 4 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 107s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Specter of Mortality has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |