Szadek, Lord of Secrets MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 234
2011-06-17 - Number 228
2018-06-08 - Number 168
2018-11-02 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Flying,Mill |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying If Szadek, Lord of Secrets would deal combat damage to a player, instead put that many +1/+1 counters on Szadek and that player puts that many cards from the top of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
Cards like Szadek, Lord of Secrets
Szadek, Lord of Secrets stands as a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to mill an opponent’s deck while simultaneously buffing itself, it’s a force to be reckoned with. Comparable to Szadek is Mirko Vosk, Mind Drinker, which also offers a potent milling ability upon dealing combat damage. However, unlike Szadek, Mirko Vosk doesn’t gain any power and toughness boosts.
Another similar card is Phenax, God of Deception, which allows each creature you control to become a potential milling machine, feeding off the toughness of your creatures instead of needing to deal combat damage. Nevertheless, Szadek’s self-strengthening aspect puts him in a different league, making him a larger threat with each successful attack.
Lastly, we consider Consuming Aberration, another creature that flourishes as your opponent’s library dwindles. It shares Szadek’s game plan of growing stronger with each card placed into an opponent’s graveyard. However, Szadek’s milling is tied only to its combat damage, while Consuming Aberration’s ability can scale with each spell cast. Evaluating the various strategies, Szadek, Lord of Secrets maintains a formidable presence in the MTG meta, combining mill and growth for a potent combination.
Cards similar to Szadek, Lord of Secrets by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Playing Szadek, Lord of Secrets ensures that triggering its ability can exponentially fill your hand with cards. Each attack that isn’t blocked results in milling the defending player and putting that many +1/+1 counters on Szadek. This translates into potentially enormous amounts of drawn cards if you can translate those counters into card draw with other effects on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Szadek, Lord of Secrets doesn’t inherently accelerate your resources, but in a deck built around his ability, the milled cards can often be used to your advantage. Whether that’s through reanimation strategies or cards that benefit from having lots of creature cards in all players’ graveyards, Szadek can help set the pace and tilt the resource balance in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Szadek himself does not operate at instant speed, his influence on the game can be immediate. His presence forces opponents to consider defensive strategies. In combination with cards that offer flash or ways to give your creatures flash, you could potentially cast him at the end of your opponent’s turn and swing in for a surprise attack during your turn, catching your adversary unprepared for a massive swing in game dynamics.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Szadek, Lord of Secrets presents no actual discard demands, but its power relies on milling your opponents’ deck, which might not always be as impactful depending on the game situation and opposing strategies. This can lead to a lack of immediate board presence or influence when other tactics may be needed.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Szadek requires a specific blend of mana, which includes both blue and black sources. Ensuring you have this combination can be a challenge in multicolored decks, potentially restricting Szadek’s incorporation solely to Dimir or heavy control-based decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that totals seven mana, Szadek can be considered a late-game play. This high investment can be a setback in faster-paced games where lower-cost creatures with immediate effects might contribute more promptly to your winning strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Szadek, Lord of Secrets offers adaptability in decks geared towards mill strategies or those that capitalize on large creatures. It’s a card that fits well within Dimir color schemed decks and can serve as both a control element and a finisher.
Combo Potential: This legendary vampire can be a cornerstone in combo-centric decks. Pairing Szadek with cards that benefit from milling the opponent, like Duskmantle Guildmage, can lead to devastating effects and even game-winning scenarios. Its ability to grow exponentially also synergizes well with cards that capitalize on creature power.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where slower, more methodical play is rewarded, Szadek can shine. It slots seamlessly into Commander and casual playgroups where unexpected cards might tip the scales, and its unique abilities can counteract strategies that rely on large libraries or specific graveyard interactions.
How to beat
Overcoming Szadek, Lord of Secrets in your MTG battle requires a sound strategy that offsets its intimidating presence on the board. This legendary creature card is known for its potential to grow in power rapidly as it deals damage, thereby milling your library significantly. Defeating Szadek hinges on interrupting its combo potential or preventing it from connecting with a player.
One effective tactic is to employ removal spells that can target Szadek directly, such as Path to Exile or Murder. Cards that force your opponent to sacrifice a creature also come in handy, like Diabolic Edict, especially since Szadek has protection from spells that target only him. Additionally, having an array of creatures to block Szadek could work in your favor, though this demands careful play since this card can grow beyond the scope of conventional blockers.
Alternatively, countering Szadek before it hits the board is a solid prevention method, so counterspells should be part of your arsenal. Moreover, focusing on win conditions that don’t involve the combat phase can bypass Szadek’s mechanics altogether. In summary, whether it’s disruption through removal or strategic alternative win paths, a diverse and responsive deck is key to securing victory against the dread vampire lord.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Szadek, Lord of Secrets MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Commander 2011, 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 Szadek, Lord of Secrets and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Szadek, Lord of Secrets Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2018-11-02. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 234 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 228 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 4 | 2018-11-02 | GRN Guild Kit | GK1 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Szadek, Lord of Secrets has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Szadek, Lord of Secrets card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-10-01 | If another effect would prevent Szadek’s combat damage from being dealt to the defending player or replace it with something else, that player chooses which effect applies first. For example, the player can choose to first have Mending Hands prevent 4 of the damage and then apply Szadek’s ability so that it gets only one counter. |