Spite // Malice MTG Card

Provides both counter and creature removal options, enhancing in-game strategic flexibility. Demanding mana requirements and discard cost can limit its inclusion in various decks. Instant speed plays make it a formidable tool in constantly shifting game states.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.

Cards like Spite // Malice

Spite // Malice presents an intriguing duality in MTG, blending the defensive and offensive elements within one card. It echoes the flexibility seen in versatile spells such as Fire // Ice, which offers both direct damage and a means to tap a target creature, providing strategic options depending on the state of play. Spite // Malice stands out by offering both a counter and a creature removal spell in one, giving players the option to adapt to their opponent’s moves efficiently.

Moreover, we see resemblances with the card Commit // Memory from the Amonkhet set. Both follow the split card design, allowing players to cast either side when needed. While Commit // Memory focuses on the theme of delaying and then resetting the game state, Spite // Malice seamlessly blends denial and control, nullifying threats immediately or preemptively.

Assessing Spite // Malice against its counterparts, its value skyrockets in decks that cherish control and surprise factors. It may cost more than single-purpose cards, but the adaptability it grants can pivot the tide of battle, making it a commendable competitor among options for tactical MTG play.

Fire // Ice - MTG Card versions
Commit // Memory - MTG Card versions
Fire // Ice - MTG Card versions
Commit // Memory - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spite // Malice can either disrupt an opponent’s strategy or protect your own plays. It also offers the versatility of choosing which half to cast based on the situation, potentially providing a two-for-one advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a tool for resource acceleration, its modal nature allows for strategic planning, potentially saving resources by countering a key spell or removing a threatening creature.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Spite // Malice at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to an evolving game state, respond to your opponent’s actions, and better manage your mana each turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spite // Malice demands a card to be discarded when played, posing a challenge when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Aligning with decks that support its blue and black mana requirements can be restrictive, making it less flexible in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana (two generic, one blue, one black for Malice; and one generic, two black for Spite), it might be prudent to consider alternatives that provide similar effects with a lower investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spite // Malice offers flexibility in gameplay, serving as either a defensive or offensive tool. Whether you need to counter a key spell or remove a problematic creature, this split card adjusts to various situations, making it a fit for diverse deck builds.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to negate opponent’s actions while keeping board presence grants it synergy within control and combo-oriented decks. It seamlessly integrates into strategies that are built around denial and gradual advantage accrual.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where instant-speed interaction is crucial, Spite // Malice can hold its ground. It is effective against creature-heavy decks and various spell-based strategies, thus maintaining relevance and providing utility across multiple match-ups.

How to beat

Spite // Malice is the dual-faced trick up many a player’s sleeve, serving as both a countermeasure against threats and a way to stall opponents in Magic: The Gathering. To surpass the challenge of Spite, a card that can cancel creatures for four mana, you need to bait out your adversary’s resources. This could involve playing less crucial creatures to draw out the counter before deploying your main threats. Similar tactics apply to overcoming Malice, a card capable of negating non-creature spells. Placing multiple threats on the board simultaneously can overwhelm the counter capabilities of Malice, as it can handle only one spell at a time.

Furthermore, timing is critical. Since both Spite and Malice operate at instant speed, playing around your opponent’s mana pool becomes a strategy unto itself. Applying pressure during their end step or when they’re tapped out minimizes the risk of your key spells being met with these reactive measures. It is also worth considering the inclusion of cards in your deck that can’t be countered or that have abilities or effects when they’re targeted by spells like these.

Ultimately, while Spite // Malice can pose a formidable obstacle, a combination of strategic baiting, pressure, and resilient card choices can help savvy players circumvent its disruptive power.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spite // Malice MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Spite // Malice and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spite // Malice Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by David Martin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 2931997SplitBlackDavid Martin
22001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar2931997SplitGoldDavid Martin
32011-09-02Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol BolasDDH 712003SplitBlackDavid Martin
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2082015SplitBlackDavid Martin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spite // Malice has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal