Blood Frenzy MTG Card


Blood Frenzy - Tempest
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set nameTempest
Set codeTMP
Number164
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byPaolo Parente

Key Takeaways

  1. Blood Frenzy can remove creatures and enable powerful attacks, creating card advantage through strategic plays.
  2. Requires card discard and specific mana, potentially limiting its use across varied MTG strategies and decks.
  3. Its versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance make it a worthwhile inclusion for aggressive red decks.

Text of card

Cast this spell only before the combat damage step. Target attacking or blocking creature gets +4/+0 until end of turn. Destroy that creature at the beginning of the next end step.

"When Torahn bellows, none survive—not even the warrior whose horns he rides." —Talruum adage


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blood Frenzy offers a tactical edge by potentially removing an opponent’s creature during combat while also affording you the possibility of a decisive attack.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, this card can be a game-changer by allowing you to make efficient use of your mana, focusing resources on pivotal turns to swing the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed gives you flexibility, enabling you to wait until the most opportune moment during combat to play this spell, which could lead to advantageous trades or unexpected wins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging directly in the frenzy of battle can have its drawbacks. Blood Frenzy mandates that you discard another card to harness its power. This can prove costly, particularly when your hand is already dwindling, forcing you to lose possibly essential components needed for victory.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands both red mana and generic mana, Blood Frenzy is tailored for a specific breed of deck. Decks that don’t have a strong red mana base may struggle to find a place for this spell, hence limiting its versatility across various MTG strategies. Crafting a deck around these requirements can steer your game plan in a certain direction, for better or worse.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Blood Frenzy comes at a significant mana investment. For the price of four mana, one must consider if the payoff is worth the cost, especially when other cards in the MTG universe can potentially provide more impact or efficiency for a similar or lesser investment. It’s imperative to weigh the cost versus benefit when integrating this card into your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood Frenzy can be a flexible addition to your deck, thriving in situations where temporary boosts can turn the tide of the game. It serves as a double-edged sword – buffing your creatures before a pivotal attack or as a surprising way to remove an opponent’s creature after declaring it as a blocker. This adaptability makes it a valuable card in a variety of red-centered strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that benefit from sacrificing creatures. It could serve as a way to enhance damage output before you willingly let your creature go, maximizing both its initial attack and the benefits of its sacrifice. Cards that trigger upon the death of a creature or when damage is dealt can significantly benefit from Blood Frenzy’s unique effect.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where creatures rule the battlefield, Blood Frenzy can act as a surprise factor, disrupting your opponent’s calculations by changing the combat math significantly. Especially effective in aggressive red decks, this card can push through additional damage or remove key blockers at critical moments.


How to beat

Blood Frenzy is a card that can turn the tide of a match by giving a creature a swift and significant power boost right before it leaves the battlefield. While this tactical play can catch an opponent off guard, knowing how to counteract it is key. Cards that remove the threat before the combat phase, such as instant speed removals like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can neutralize the pumped creature removing the advantage Blood Frenzy offers.

Additionally, powering up your defense can be crucial. If an opponent targets a creature with Blood Frenzy, having sturdy blockers or effects that increase toughness can prevent a devastating blow. Fog effects also come in handy, as they nullify the combat damage of a Blood Frenzy-fueled attack, wasting the used resources. Lastly, having counter magic ready for when they play Blood Frenzy ensures you maintain control over the combat phase, making their gamble backfire.

Ultimately, dealing with Blood Frenzy relies on being one step ahead. By anticipating your opponent’s moves and having a response at the ready, you can turn their aggressive strategy into your victory.


Cards like Blood Frenzy

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Blood Frenzy brings an interesting dynamic to the selection of temporary boost spells. Mechanically akin to pumps like Brute Strength, it grants a comparable increase in power. However, Blood Frenzy diverges by its terminal clause, sealing the creature’s fate at the end of the turn. While Brute Strength fortifies a creature without such a dire consequence, it doesn’t offer as large of an attack enhancement.

Engaging in power play, we look to Rush of Adrenaline. It also elevates a creature’s power and toughness for a swift attack, and like Blood Frenzy, it is cost-effective. Nevertheless, it lacks the definitive end-of-turn sacrifice, making it a milder option for temporary aggression. Temur Battle Rage is another close relative, providing the double strike advantage but dispensing with the self-destructive aspect of Blood Frenzy. This allows for a potentially game-ending surprise without the immediate loss of the creature.

Comparing these choices arms players with insights to tactically elevate their gameplay. Each spell offers a unique angle on offense – Blood Frenzy’s aggressive boost along with its sacrificial caveat sits uniquely in this spectrum, demanding a calculated and decisive strike for players willing to take the risk.

Brute Strength - MTG Card versions
Rush of Adrenaline - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Brute Strength - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Rush of Adrenaline - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Temur Battle Rage - Fate Reforged (FRF)

Cards similar to Blood Frenzy by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Punishing Fire - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Ice Age (ICE)
Incinerate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Starstorm - Onslaught (ONS)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)
Sudden Shock - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fists of the Anvil - Tenth Edition (10E)
Magma Jet - Friday Night Magic 2009 (F09)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)
Comet Storm - Commander 2017 (C17)
Pyretic Ritual - Magic 2011 (M11)
Punishing Fire - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood Frenzy MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Blood Frenzy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Frenzy has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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