Vampire Sovereign MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 125
2022-07-08 - Number 97
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Noble |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying When Vampire Sovereign enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.
"Your service shall be rewarded." —Queen Lian
Cards like Vampire Sovereign
Vampire Sovereign has placed its mark in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that deftly combines life gain and loss. Its closest kin in function and form is Bloodhunter Bat, both offering a swing in life totals upon entering the battlefield. However, Vampire Sovereign provides a more substantial life differential with a 3-point swing compared to Bloodhunter Bat’s 2. The Sovereign’s stat line also towers over the Bat, boasting a 3/4 compared to a mere 2/2, making it a more formidable presence on the board.
When evaluating cards like Falkenrath Noble, we notice its ability to impact life totals as well, but through a strategy of attrition that triggers whenever another creature dies. While Noble’s passive ability can add up over time, Vampire Sovereign offers an immediate and guaranteed change in life totals, a crucial difference for players looking for a direct effect. Additionally, the noble is a perennial threat with its ability persisting as long as it’s on the field, contrasting with the Sovereign’s one-time entrance impact.
In the grand scheme of MTG’s vast card library, Vampire Sovereign stands out as a powerful option for decks that seek to capitalize on life manipulation, offering an impactful and immediate board presence that few cards can match at its cost.
Cards similar to Vampire Sovereign by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Vampire Sovereign. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Pestilence | Pauper | Pestilence | Pauper League 2024-05-07 |
 | Golgari Midrange | Pauper | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup | |
 | Orzhov Midrange | Pauper | Orzhov Ephemerate | Pauper 1k |
 | B | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-03-17 | |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pauper | Devotion | Pauper Jungle |
 | Orzhov Control | Pauper | Liga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 2 | |
| Orzhov Ephemerate | Pauper | Orzhov Ephemerate | Poznańska Liga Paupera #2 |
| Devotion | Pauper | Devotion | Pauper League 2024-02-08 |
 | WBG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-01-28 | |
| WB Ephemerate | Pauper | Orzhov Ephemerate | Poznańska Liga Paupera Winter 2023 #9 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vampire Sovereign offers a dual benefit when it enters the battlefield – you not only get a sizable flier but also cause your opponent to lose 3 life while you gain 3 life. This life swing can tip the scales in your favor and often equates to an additional card’s worth of value.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, Vampire Sovereign’s ability to affect life totals can help close games more quickly. This indirect resource acceleration, paired with efficient mana usage for a 3/4 flying body, makes it a valuable addition to decks looking to optimize every turn.
Instant Speed: While Vampire Sovereign itself doesn’t have instant speed, its impact when played at the right moment during your main phase can be as pivotal as a well-timed instant. It shifts the momentum and puts immediate pressure on your opponent, much like an instant would disrupt their gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vampire Sovereign demands players to have another vampire on the battlefield to gain its full advantage, potentially forcing you to expend valuable creatures from your hand prematurely.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes double black, which can be constraining in multicolored decks, potentially disrupting your mana curve and limiting your strategic options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five—including three generic and two black mana—Vampire Sovereign may arrive too late in the match, while other lower cost creatures could be providing benefits or dealing damage to your opponent sooner.
Reasons to Include Vampire Sovereign in Your Collection
Versatility: Vampire Sovereign’s dual nature serves well in both offensive and defensive strategies. As a creature that can provide a lifeforce swing upon entering the battlefield, it is an asset in decks that thrive on life gain or require flying blockers.
Combo Potential: With effects that occur upon entering or leaving the battlefield, this card effortlessly synergizes with abilities that trigger on those events, and can be a cornerstone in decks that capitalize on such interactions for player advantage.
Meta-Relevance: Vampire Sovereign’s ability to affect life totals by a significant margin makes it relevant in formats where stabilizing or racing against aggressive strategies is key. Particularly useful in a meta with a prevalence of creature-based aggro decks, providing a way to swing the game in your favor with a single well-timed play.
How to Beat
Vampire Sovereign is a card that swiftly brings a life swing to the board in Magic: The Gathering. When this flying creature enters the battlefield, its effect is simple yet potent: it deals 3 damage to the opponent and you gain 3 life. This substantial six-point swing can be quite the hurdle to overcome if you’re on the receiving end. But fear not, there are strategies to mitigate the impact of Vampire Sovereign and keep your life total from taking a hit.
Firstly, consider using removal spells that can take down creatures either before or after they’ve entered play. Instant-speed options like Murder or Doom Blade allow you to target Vampire Sovereign before its ability resolves, thus negating the life swing. Another efficient approach is to have counterspells like Cancel or Negate in hand, ready to prevent the vampire from hitting the battlefield in the first place.
Lastly, if you’re engaging in a longer game, it’s wise to have creatures with lifelink to balance out the health you might lose. This gives you a buffer against not just Vampire Sovereign, but other direct damage sources as well. With these tactics at your disposal, you’ll be better equipped to counter the might of Vampire Sovereign and maintain control of your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vampire Sovereign MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Double Masters 2022, 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 Vampire Sovereign 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
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Printings
The Vampire Sovereign Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 2 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Sovereign has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |