Treacherous Vampire MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Flying,Threshold |
| Released | 2002-05-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Judgment |
| Set code | JUD |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 75 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kev Walker |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Treacherous Vampire attacks or blocks, sacrifice it unless you remove a card in your graveyard from the game. Threshold Treacherous Vampire gets +2/+2 and has "When Treacherous Vampire is put into a graveyard from play, you lose 6 life."
Cards like Treacherous Vampire
Treacherous Vampire is a unique creature card that MTG players often compare to other vampire cards within the game. When placed side by side with Nirkana Revenant, for example, there are some noticeable differences. Nirkana Revenant also powers up by using swamp lands, however, it doesn’t require the threshold mechanic that is a staple of Treacherous Vampire. With Nirkana Revenant, you benefit from more robust mana ramp without the condition of having seven or more cards in your graveyard.
Another card that finds its place in the conversation is Bloodline Keeper. While both cards bolster the vampire theme, Bloodline Keeper offers the ability to create more vampires instead of the temporary stat boost and flying ability that Treacherous Vampire gains from the threshold. Bloodline Keeper operates more as a vampire army builder, contrasting with the Treacherous Vampire’s mainly self-serving benefits.
In essence, while Treacherous Vampire brings certain advantages to the table with its threshold ability, especially in decks focused on graveyard strategies, its counterparts like Nirkana Revenant and Bloodline Keeper showcase alternative strengths that cater to different vampire deck tactics in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Treacherous Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Treacherous Vampire can be integral in creating card advantage by virtue of its daunting presence on the board. When this creature successfully damages an opponent, it allows you to draw cards, hence bolstering your hand and options.
Resource Acceleration: By including Treacherous Vampire in your arsenal, you potentially accelerate your resource management. Through its synergy with discard mechanisms, it can work in tandem with graveyard retrieval spells, effectively turning a short-term loss into long-term gain.
Instant Speed: Although Treacherous Vampire itself is not an instant, it syncs well with instant speed spells in your deck. With a major threat on the battlefield, opponents must decide if they want to deal with the vampire or hold back resources to counter potential instant plays, often giving you the tempo advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For those looking to add Treacherous Vampire to their deck, it’s important to note that each turn it damages a player, a card must be discarded from your hand. This can be particularly problematic when your hand is nearly empty, potentially disrupting your gameplay and reducing your options.
Specific Mana Cost: As a card that requires both black and generic mana to be played, it necessitates a mana base that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate its casting cost. This can be a hurdle for decks not aligned with black mana, restricting the card’s versatility across different deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher end, Treacherous Vampire can be a less tempting option when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Decks seeking to maintain tempo and efficiency may find this mana investment substantial, especially when other cards could provide similar or greater value for the same or less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Treacherous Vampire boasts adaptability, seamlessly integrating into decks revolving around graveyard mechanics or those seeking flying creatures to maintain aerial dominance.
Combo Potential: Its threshold ability to gain counters when a card enters the graveyard offers synergy with self-mill strategies, setting up powerful board states as your graveyard fills.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates creatures with evolving board presence, Treacherous Vampire can become a significant threat – scaling in power with every card in the graveyard, confronting opponents with a must-answer condition.
How to beat
Treacherous Vampire is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that poses a challenge to many strategies. With its ability to grow larger due to threshold and a punishing mechanism for players targeting it with spells or abilities, this card can rapidly become a thorn in your side. To counter it effectively, one strategy includes timing your removal spells when the threshold isn’t met, ensuring the Vampire stays weaker and more manageable. Graveyard management can also play a significant role – by keeping the opponent’s graveyard empty, you deny them the strength bestowed by the threshold.
Moreover, instant speed interaction is key. Since Treacherous Vampire gains its abilities only if there are seven or more cards in the graveyard, players should focus on instant speed spells that can be used in response to a graveyard-filling action but before the threshold condition is satisfied. Consider incorporating cards that force sacrifice or don’t target as they bypass the card’s deterrent to being targeted. A mix of these tactics often proves robust in handling the Treacherous Vampire and maintaining the upper hand on the battlefield.
Thus, through the strategic use of instant speed spells, graveyard regulation, and targeted removal prior to threshold being reached, players can mitigate the impact of Treacherous Vampire in a match, maintaining control of the game’s pace and direction.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Treacherous Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Treacherous Vampire 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Treacherous Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |