Vampire Spawn MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 123
2022-07-07 - Number 172
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Vampire Spawn enters the battlefield, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Unsuccessful vampire hunters often wind up as ravenous spawn.
Cards like Vampire Spawn
Vampire Spawn edges its way into the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminding players of familiar lifelink creatures such as Child of Night. Both cards showcase the quintessential vampire trait of draining life from opponents to advantage the player. Yet, Vampire Spawn comes with a slight twist, offering a one-time life drain effect upon entering the battlefield, whereas Child of Night has a constant lifelink ability.
Looking at the broader spectrum, we see Gifted Aetherborn, another comrade that exudes the vampire charisma. Similar to Vampire Spawn, it offers more than just a simple creature presence by giving players a deathtouch ability along with lifelink. Comparatively, Vampire Spawn does not possess deathtouch but its entrance trigger could be seen as an immediate payoff instead of a recurring feature. Another akin card is Falkenrath Noble, which although costs more mana, it brings a repetitive lifedrain effect on creature death which can tilt the scales over the course of a game.
While each vampire card has its unique advantages, Vampire Spawn with its impactful arrival and eagerness to affect the life totals can certainly hold its own amongst its kin, making it a choice of intrigue for players crafting a deck with a vampiric theme.
Cards similar to Vampire Spawn by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Vampire Spawn. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pauper | Devotion | Pauper Jungle |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vampire Spawn can be a subtle source of card advantage in your MTG deck. By putting pressure on your opponents’ life totals, you force them to address the threat, potentially leading to advantageous trades in your favor. Each interaction that Vampire Spawn prompts can steadily tilt the game to your advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Vampire Spawn itself may not directly accelerate your resources, it can pave the way for other synergistic vampire cards that do. In the right deck, each vampire that hits the board could represent a snowballing threat that feeds into the overarching strategy, leading to accelerated board presence and increased pressure.
Instant Speed: While Vampire Spawn does not operate at instant speed, the presence of instant speed removal or buffs in a deck featuring Vampire Spawn can keep your opponent guessing. This unpredictability makes Vampire Spawn an asset, as it potentially survives longer and deals more damage when backed up by instant speed interactions, effectively enhancing its role in your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vampire Spawn may put players in a tough spot if they are required to discard another card to unleash its potential. This can be particularly punishing if your hand is already stretched thin and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Vampire Spawn, demanding a specific combination of mana colors, can hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Vampire Spawn’s abilities against its mana cost, it could be perceived as less economical, especially when considering other creatures in the same mana range that might provide a greater impact on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Vampire Spawn in Your Collection
Versatility: Vampire Spawn adds a reliable creature to your arsenal that can seamlessly integrate into a variety of black-themed decks. Its ability to affect opponent life totals upon entering the battlefield makes it a solid choice for aggressive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card’s life loss effect upon entry pairs well with cards that capitalize on life changes, bolstering strategies around drain and gain, thus elevating your game with synergistic plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating landscape of the MTG meta, the simplicity and direct impact of Vampire Spawn can be particularly effective against decks that struggle with consistent creature threats, making it a timely addition to your collection.
How to beat
Vampire Spawn emerges as a strategic piece within tribal decks focused on vampire synergies. This creature card offers advantages in games when in tandem with life-draining effects or when boosted by tribal buffs. Tackling this card effectively demands a balance of disruption and precision timing.
One effective strategy is to employ instant removal spells when the opponent attempts to capitalize on Vampire Spawn’s enter-the-battlefield effect. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are quintessential examples, offering a clean and efficient way to dispatch the creature before it can influence the board further. Additionally, countering vampire-centric buffs with enchantment removal can dismantle the synergy that makes Vampire Spawn a potential threat.
Beyond targeted removal, controlling the pace of the game is crucial. A well-planned use of board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the landscape, preventing the opponent from creating a formidable vampire legion. Managed properly, your strategy against Vampire Spawn can turn the tide, ensuring that this nocturnal nuisance becomes little more than a minor setback in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vampire Spawn MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Spawn 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
Printings
The Vampire Spawn Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Alex Brock.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 123 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Brock | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Brock |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Spawn 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 |