Tormented Hero MTG Card

Graveyard return equates to resourceful card advantage and decks’ staying power through recurring in-game usage. Mana cost and tap-on-entry are tradeoffs for the Hero’s devotion count boost and thematic deck synergy. Instant-speed interaction flexibility can provide crucial tactical advantages in the right moments.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Heroic
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Tormented Hero enters the battlefield tapped. Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Tormented Hero, each opponent loses 1 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.

Cards like Tormented Hero

The Tormented Hero is a popular choice for players looking to bolster their decks with aggressive one-drops in Magic: The Gathering. This card shares similarities with another aggressive creature in the same mana slot, Rakdos Cackler. Both can hit the battlefield early and press an advantage. However, the Tormented Hero offers a unique upside with its heroic ability, enabling potential life point swings in your favor, a feature Rakdos Cackler lacks.

Another comparable card in this space is the Vicious Conquistador. While it costs the same and provides consistent life loss to the opponent, the Tormented Hero stands out with the potential for a stronger individual attack once its heroic ability is triggered. The synergy with other spells in your arsenal often gives it the edge over the Vicious Conquistador.

Assessing these cards side by side, Tormented Hero holds its ground for players who value the combination of early-game pressure and the ability to interact beneficially with other spells. Its dynamic playstyle firmly establishes it as a solid contender in decks aiming for a swift and impactful presence on the board early in the game.

Rakdos Cackler - MTG Card versions
Vicious Conquistador - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Cackler - MTG Card versions
Vicious Conquistador - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tormented Hero doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability to come back from the graveyard represents a form of card advantage. By reusing the same card multiple times in a game, it provides staying power and resilience against strategies that rely on depleting your resources.

Resource Acceleration: Its ability to return to the battlefield from the graveyard can accelerate your resources as it contributes to the devotion count for certain mechanics or powers up strategies in thematic decks like those focusing on ‘heroic’ where each creature’s presence can be a valuable asset.

Instant Speed: While Tormented Hero itself is not an instant, its ability interacts favorably with instant-speed spells. You can plan your turns ahead, choosing to leave mana open for other responses and only playing the Tormented Hero when the moment is right, such as after a board wipe or in response to an end-step action caused by an opponent. This flexibility can be a critical tactical advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tormented Hero arrives on the battlefield tapped, which means it cannot block or contribute to your offensive strategies immediately. This delay can be particularly disadvantageous during early game situations where quick board presence is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: The mono-black mana cost of Tormented Hero limits deck-building flexibility. This may restrict the card’s usage to primarily black-themed decks or those that can accommodate a heavy black mana curve without compromising the mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Tormented Hero has a low mana cost, within its one mana value slot, there are other creature options that might provide immediate impact or have additional abilities without the downside of entering the battlefield tapped.

Reasons to Include Tormented Hero in Your Collection

Versatility: Tormented Hero is a flexible card that easily finds a home in aggressive black decks. Its low casting cost makes it a smooth early play, while its ability to become a 2/2 creature upon entering the battlefield bolsters your offensive line quickly.

Combo Potential: This card has a solid place in decks that synergize with heroic triggers or strategies that capitalize on life loss for various benefits. The ability to trigger upon entering the battlefield or when revived adds to its combo versatility.

Meta-Relevance: As the game shifts between different metas, Tormented Hero remains a staple card in black aggro decks. It can significantly pressure opponents in formats where early board presence and life total manipulation are key to victory.

How to beat

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, encountering a creature like Tormented Hero can be quite the stumbling block for many strategies. Known for its ability to bolster your life total on entering the battlefield through heroism, it adds a level of complexity to the battlefield. However, overcoming this persistent threat is no Herculean task once you know the right strategies.

Removal spells are Tormented Hero’s bane. Early on, spells such as Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch it before it becomes a larger issue, especially if your adversary relies on it for a heroic combo. Board wipes like Wrath of God can also sweep it away without a trace, nullifying any advantages your opponent has accumulated. If you’re playing a longer game, keep the pressure up; without the rest of its heroic companions, Tormented Hero loses much of its menace. It’s crucial to maintain control and not let your guard down—after all, even heroes have their weaknesses.

Therefore, preparing your deck with efficient removal or sweeping strategies proves essential in tipping the scales against Tormented Hero, ensuring that this tenacious card does not stand in the way of your victory within the diverse and competitive landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tormented Hero MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros, 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 Tormented Hero and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tormented Hero Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2013-09-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 519342003NormalBlackWesley Burt
22013-09-27TherosTHS 1082003NormalBlackWinona Nelson
32014-01-01Friday Night Magic 2014F14 52003NormalBlackWesley Burt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tormented Hero has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tormented Hero card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2013-09-15 Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.