Tyrannical Pitlord MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 284
2022-09-09 - Number 425
2002-06-24 - Number 103424
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Demon |
| Abilities | Flying,Trample |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Key Takeaways
- Tyrannical Pitlord can drastically affect board state, offering a high potential for card advantage.
- Its specific and high mana costs may limit deck inclusion, but its impact is significant.
- Despite its power, strategic play with removals or counters can manage the Pitlord effectively.
Text of card
Flying, trample As Tyrannical Pitlord enters the battlefield, choose another creature you control. The chosen creature gets +3/+3 and has flying. When Tyrannical Pitlord leaves the battlefield, sacrifice the chosen creature.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tyrannical Pitlord stands out by potentially providing a significant card advantage. In MTG, removing a key creature from your opponent’s board can often translate into drawing a card, as it denies them their avenues for victory and card interaction.
Resource Acceleration: Though Tyrannical Pitlord itself may not offer direct resource acceleration, its high power level can lead to acceleration of board position, which is just as critical. Clearing the board paves the way for faster and more impactful plays, indirectly contributing to overall resource advantage.
Instant Speed: Flexibility at instant speed is not an intrinsic trait of the Tyrannical Pitlord, but this card is an enabler for such plays. By asserting dominance on the battlefield, it opens up the possibility for a player to safely hold mana open for instant speed responses, knowing their Pitlord is in control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tyrannical Pitlord necessitates the discard of a creature as part of its casting cost. This demand can put you at a card disadvantage, particularly detrimental when your hand is already depleted or when you need to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Tyrannical Pitlord is steep, requiring not only a significant amount of general mana but also specific black mana sources. This requirement could restrict its inclusion to mono-black or heavy black decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a formidable seven mana to summon, Tyrannical Pitlord presents a high cost that rivals or exceeds that of other creatures in the mana curve. Players may find more cost-effective alternatives with lower mana costs that offer similar or greater impact on the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Tyrannical Pitlord is a powerful addition to commander and cube draft formats, seamlessly fitting into decks that capitalize on creature control and sacrifice strategies for advantageous board states.
Combo Potential: Its ability to force opponents to sacrifice a creature each turn creates synergies with decks focusing on death triggers, opening up numerous combo avenues that can decisively tilt the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by creature-based decks, Tyrannical Pitlord serves as an effective counter, keeping the battlefield clear and putting constant pressure on your opponents while bolstering your control.
How to beat
Tyrannical Pitlord presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield, standing out as a powerful force among monoblack creatures in MTG. With its substantial power and ability to demand sacrifice from opponents, it’s a card that can quickly tip the scales in favor of the one who wields it. However, overcoming this fearsome adversary is not without strategies. Employing removal spells, such as Murder or Doom Blade, can effectively dispatch the Pitlord before its ability to dominate takes effect. Additionally, utilizing counterspells or creature protection methods can help retain board control and mitigate the sacrifices demanded by the Pitlord.
One tactic is to limit the opponent’s creatures to avoid giving the Pitlord targets for its ability. Through board wipes like Wrath of God or targeted removal, keeping the battlefield clear ensures the Tyrannical Pitlord has less influence. Alternatively, sacrificing creatures that provide benefits when they die, like Sengir Autocrat or Reassembling Skeleton, can turn a disadvantage into an opportunity. Consequently, handling the Tyrannical Pitlord requires careful planning and timing, transforming a potential threat into a manageable challenge within MTG matches.
Strategic card choices and gameplay adjustments can change the dynamics, illustrating the depth and complexity that MTG offers. By predicting and thwarting your opponent’s plans, even a card with the raw power of Tyrannical Pitlord can be overcome, showcasing player skill and strategy.
Cards like Tyrannical Pitlord
When diving into the monstrosity that is the Tyrannical Pitlord, we find it residing comfortably among the titanic creatures of MTG. The Pitlord echoes the intimidating presence of other formidable destroyers such as Sheoldred, Whispering One. Sheoldred not only brings devastating reanimation abilities to the board but also enforces the sacrifice of creatures each turn. Tyrannical Pitlord demands sacrifice from its caster upon entry, but it similarly imposes dread on opponents with its annihilating power.
Conversely, looking at Reiver Demon offers an interesting perspective. It presents a mass removal effect upon casting, potentially clearing the path for a swift victory. The Pitlord lacks this board wipe ability but compensates with its substantial stats. Then we consider Lord of the Void which, much like our tyrant, can tip the scales with its sheer existence and become a beacon of destruction if left unchecked. The Pitlord overshadows with its power but misses the invasive library exile feature that the Lord offers.
These comparisons show the distinctive characteristics that set the Tyrannical Pitlord apart within the vast array of high-cost, high-impact creatures in MTG, making it a card that deserves consideration for its potential to dominate the late game.
Cards similar to Tyrannical Pitlord by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tyrannical Pitlord MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United, 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 Tyrannical Pitlord and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Tyrannical Pitlord Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 103424 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | ||
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 284 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 425 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tyrannical Pitlord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tyrannical Pitlord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | If Tyrannical Pitlord enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, that creature can’t be chosen. |
| 2022-09-09 | If Tyrannical Pitlord’s leaves-the-battlefield triggered ability resolves while its controller is not the same as the controller of the chosen creature, that creature will not be sacrificed. |
| 2022-09-09 | If another player gains control of the chosen creature while Tyrannical Pitlord is still on the battlefield, that creature will continue to have flying and get +3/+3. |
| 2022-09-09 | If the chosen creature leaves the battlefield, you can’t choose a new creature. |
| 2022-09-09 | The ability of Tyrannical Pitlord that allows you to choose a creature isn’t a triggered ability and doesn’t use the stack. Players can’t respond to your choice of which creature it’s affecting. |