The Slayer MTG Card


The Slayer enables card advantage, accelerating resources for a strong board presence and consistent play. While versatile and meta-relevant, its specific mana cost and discard requirement may limit deck integration. Comparable to Nekrataal and Ravenous Chupacabra, The Slayer’s impact makes it a worthwhile collection addition.
The Slayer - Theros Hero's Path
RarityCommon
TypeHero
Released2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Hero's Path
Set codeTHP1
Number3
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChuck Lukacs

Text of card

You start the game with an additional 7 life.


Cards like The Slayer

The Slayer is a noteworthy inclusion in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering creature cards, holding its ground against similar types of cards. It shares characteristics with other creatures such as Nekrataal and Shriekmaw. These creatures also have a knack for dispatching opponent’s creatures upon entering the battlefield, making them invaluable for controlling the board. The Slayer, much like Nekrataal, offers this creature removal as a form of an enter-the-battlefield effect. However, unlike Nekrataal, which is limited to non-artifact, non-black creatures, The Slayer might interact with a broader range of targets depending on its specific abilities.

Another card that echoes The Slayer’s utility is Ravenous Chupacabra, a creature famed for its no-questions-asked creature destruction ability. While Ravenous Chupacabra does not discriminate based on color or artifact status, The Slayer could offer additional benefits or conditions that either sharpen or broaden its removal capabilities. These qualities make creature cards like The Slayer a key component in decks focusing on maintaining a clear path to victory.

In essence, The Slayer finds its place alongside a respected class of MTG creatures. Their ability to directly remove threats while providing a presence on the board is an asset in numerous strategies. Although each creature has its strengths and ideal scenarios for play, The Slayer remains a notable choice for its potential versatility and impact on the game state.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Chupacabra - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Chupacabra - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Slayer by color, type and mana cost

The Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Protector - MTG Card versions
The Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Harvester - MTG Card versions
The Avenger - MTG Card versions
The Warrior - MTG Card versions
The Provider - MTG Card versions
The Savant - MTG Card versions
The Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
The Explorer - MTG Card versions
The Tyrant - MTG Card versions
The Warmonger - MTG Card versions
The General - MTG Card versions
Bow of the Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Champion - MTG Card versions
Axe of the Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Spear of the General - MTG Card versions
Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Destined - MTG Card versions
The Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Protector - MTG Card versions
The Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Harvester - MTG Card versions
The Avenger - MTG Card versions
The Warrior - MTG Card versions
The Provider - MTG Card versions
The Savant - MTG Card versions
The Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
The Explorer - MTG Card versions
The Tyrant - MTG Card versions
The Warmonger - MTG Card versions
The General - MTG Card versions
Bow of the Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Champion - MTG Card versions
Axe of the Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Spear of the General - MTG Card versions
Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Destined - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Slayer is adept at granting you an upper hand by drawing into your arsenal efficiently, paving the way for consistent game presence.

Resource Acceleration: This card has a profound impact on the battlefield by expediting your resources, ensuring that you’re pulling ahead of your opponent in terms of both mana and board state.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed utility allows for strategic depth and surprise maneuverability, providing a seamless integration into your game plan while keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Slayer requires players to discard a card as part of its casting cost or ability activation. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game when your hand might be already depleted, reducing your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a specific combination of mana types to be cast, The Slayer can be restrictive and not easily incorporated into multicolored or mana-flexible decks. This limitation might make it a less favorable choice for players who value versatility in their deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the high side in relation to its abilities, The Slayer can be considered mana-inefficient compared to other cards within the same mana range that might provide more impactful benefits or effects immediately upon entering the battlefield.


Reasons to Include The Slayer in Your Collection

Versatility: The Slayer is a flexible card, capable of fitting into a variety of decks, ranging from aggressive strategies to more nuanced control setups. Its ability to deal with multiple types of threats makes it an asset in many game situations.

Combo Potential: With its distinct abilities, The Slayer works well with cards that benefit from creature destruction or damage-based triggers. This potential makes it a lynchpin in many combo decks, enabling powerful synergies with every play.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the MTG meta often shifts towards creature-heavy decks, The Slayer’s relevance rises as it can serve as a significant roadblock or removal tool against popular creature-based strategies, ensuring your deck remains competitive.


How to beat

The Slayer is a card that can pose a significant challenge to MTG players. This creature typically comes with formidable abilities that demand strategic planning to overcome. To effectively counter The Slayer, it’s essential to disrupt its presence on the battlefield. Utilizing removal spells that can target creatures, regardless of their size or abilities, is a useful tactic. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile can be pivotal in taking The Slayer out of play before it can exert its influence.

In addition to direct removal, another effective strategy is to employ counterspells to prevent The Slayer from ever entering the battlefield. Counterspell, Mana Leak, and Negate are excellent examples of reactive measures that can neutralize The Slayer’s threat preemptively. Should The Slayer manage to land on the board, enchantments or artifacts that neutralize creature abilities or pacify them can also serve as a workaround, keeping The Slayer at bay without having to remove it entirely. Thus, while The Slayer is strong, a well-prepared deck with the right answers ensures that any player can manage this intimidating card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Slayer MTG card by a specific set like Theros Hero's Path, 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 The Slayer and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products