Syphon Soul MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 118
1999-04-21 - Number 159
1999-11-12 - Number 86
2002-10-07 - Number 176
2009-09-04 - Number 43
2014-06-06 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Syphon Soul does 2 damage to all players except caster. Caster gains life points equal to the amount of damage done by Syphon Soul.
"Her lips suck forth; see, where it flies!" —Christopher Marlowe, *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*
Cards like Syphon Soul
Syphon Soul is an intriguing card that blends life drain and distribution to multiple opponents in Magic: The Gathering. It has parallels to other spells like Exsanguinate, which is famous for draining life from each opponent to boost your own life total. Yet, Syphon Soul is distinct with its lower cost, requiring less mana investment than Exsanguinate’s scalable effect.
When we examine another similar spell, Gray Merchant of Asphodel—often referred to as ‘Gary’ in MTG circles—Syphon Soul’s differences are even more evident. Gary offers a potentially larger life swing and affects the board with its creature presence, something that the noncreature spell Syphon Soul doesn’t provide. Additionally, Gary’s devotion mechanic can lead to significant game-turning moments.
Assessing these cards side by side, Syphon Soul stands out for its simplicity and ease of inclusion in a variety of decks, particularly in multi-player formats where its impact is multiplied. Despite lacking the explosive potential of some alternatives, its consistent and reliable effect can make it a worthy inclusion in MTG strategies that benefit from life manipulation.
Cards similar to Syphon Soul by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Syphon Soul is a well-crafted addition to any deck looking for life point gains while simultaneously chipping away at opponents’ life totals. In multiplayer settings, this spell can net a significant life differential, as you gain life for each opponent it affects. This gradual accrual of health can solidify your position and apply pressure to opponents, effectively swaying the momentum of the match in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a tool for mana acceleration, the life gained from Syphon Soul can be indirectly considered a resource booster. Each point of life allows players more flexibility and endurance to activate abilities or use cards with life-payment costs. This sort of utility makes Syphon Soul a smart tactical choice when you’re aiming to outlast adversaries in a war of attrition.
Instant Speed: While Syphon Soul is cast at sorcery speed, the ability to impact all opponents at once makes up for its timing restraints. The predictable window of influence it provides ensures you can plan your turns accordingly, setting up defenses or preparing for more advantageous moves while slowly draining the opposition. The strategic benefit this grants cannot be underestimated, as it allows you to chip away at the opposition’s resources with certainty and poise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Syphon Soul does not make a player discard cards, its effect does not compare favorably with discard-driven cards, which might offer both resource disruption and card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Syphon Soul’s casting cost requires black mana, which necessitates a commitment to that color or a deck able to generate multiple mana types, potentially reducing its versatility in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color-specific, Syphon Soul may compete for a deck slot against other mid-game cards that offer more impactful effects or flexible casting options.
Reasons to Include Syphon Soul in Your Collection
Versatility: Syphon Soul is a non-targeted way to extract life from all opponents at once. This makes it suitable for a variety of black decks aiming for incremental life-draining tactics or multiplayer formats like Commander where affecting each opponent is valuable.
Combo Potential: The life gained can be a catalyst for multiple strategies focusing on life-total as a resource. This enables synergies with cards that benefit from life gain or cards that convert life into other advantages.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where games are often won by slim margins, the collective life swing provided by Syphon Soul can shift the tide. It’s particularly relevant in environments with multiple adversaries, where the impact multiplies, providing an edge in group games.
How to Beat Syphon Soul
Syphon Soul is a unique spell that balances life drain with communal life loss in the realm of MTG. This card can be a tricky adversary due to its ability to siphon life from all opponents simultaneously, lending its wielder a notable advantage in multiplayer formats. To effectively counteract Syphon Soul, it’s essential to incorporate life gain strategies into your deck. Consider cards like Essence Warden or Soul Warden, which provide you a life bump every time a creature enters the battlefield, lessening the impact of Syphon Soul’s effect.
Furthermore, employing counter spells can be a strategic defense against Syphon Soul. Negate or Dovin’s Veto can shut down Syphon Soul before its life-leeching ability even gets off the ground. Additionally, since Syphon Soul is not commonly used in high-speed, competitive play, faster decks can often outrun the damage it deals, making swift aggro strategies a viable solution.
Ultimately, while Syphon Soul may seem daunting with its triple-threat potential, a well-prepared deck that prioritizes life gain, counters, or speed can prevail against this draining force within MTG’s diverse gameplay landscape.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Syphon Soul MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Syphon Soul 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 Syphon Soul Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 118 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 159 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 86 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 4 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 176 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 5 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 43 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 6 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Syphon Soul has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |