Vampire's Bite MTG Card


Instantly boosts creature power, potentially swinging the game by enabling quicker victories or board control. Requires careful play due to its discard cost, mana specificity, and higher mana investment compared to alternatives. Despite drawbacks, adds strategic value to decks, synergizes with combos, and counters aggressive meta plays effectively.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Kicker

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Target creature gets +3/+0 until end of turn. If Vampire's Bite was kicked, that creature gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by the creature also causes its controller to gain that much life.)


Cards like Vampire's Bite

Vampire’s Bite is an intriguing option among the suite of aggro enhancers in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship to cards like Giant Growth is evident in the primary function of temporarily beefing up a creature’s power. On the surface, both cards grant a significant power boost, yet Vampire’s Bite has a unique twist with its lifelink ability. Unlike Giant Growth, which solely increases power and toughness, Vampire’s Bite also offers a potential shift in life totals, significant for turning the tides in a tight match.

Then there’s Brute Strength. It grants more power than Vampire’s Bite and adds trample, but it lacks the subtle nuance of offering a lifeline through lifegain. Comparatively, Rush of Vitality not only increases a creature’s strength but bestows lifelink and indestructible for the turn — a robust combination. However, it limits its protection to black creatures, unlike the more versatile Vampire’s Bite.

In comparing these alternatives, the strategic value of Vampire’s Bite emerges. Whether edging out in a race against an opponent’s life total or just seeking an efficient combat trick, Vampire’s Bite serves a dual purpose that might just outclass its counterparts.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Brute Strength - MTG Card versions
Rush of Vitality - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Brute Strength - MTG Card versions
Rush of Vitality - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vampire's Bite by color, type and mana cost

Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
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Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Deathlace - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vampire’s Bite enables players to get ahead by strengthening their creatures, which can be a turning point in gaining control over the game board.

Resource Acceleration: By increasing a creature’s power, it can expedite the victory condition, effectively reducing the time your opponent has to stabilize or mount a defense.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed grants flexibility, allowing you to optimize your plays, respond to threats immediately, or surprise an opponent during combat for a strategic advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vampire’s Bite requires you to make a difficult choice by discarding a card, which can backfire when you’re running out of options in your hand and need to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a demand for black mana to cast Vampire’s Bite, decks without a solid black mana base may struggle to include and play this card effectively, limiting its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though the power boost and life gain are valuable, the cost to cast Vampire’s Bite is relatively high when compared to other instant-speed options in MTG. Deckbuilders might opt for more efficient alternatives to optimize their gameplay.


Reasons to Include Vampire’s Bite in Your Collection

Versatility: Vampire’s Bite adds value across a range of black deck types, providing a quick power boost that can be critical during combat phases or when trying to eliminate a problematic creature.

Combo Potential: Pairing Vampire’s Bite with lifelink vampires or creatures that benefit from dealing damage amplifies its effectiveness, turning a simple attack into a significant health swing or board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive tactics are common, the ability to surprise opponents with an unexpected power surge can often turn the tides of a duel in your favor.


How to beat

Vampire’s Bite is more than just a simple boost in the power levels of a card in your arsenal. It’s an instant spell that not only steps up your creature’s game but can also turn the tides with its kicker ability, letting you gain life equal to the damage dealt. When facing an opponent armed with this card, timing is critical. It’s essential to maintain a steady board control and keep open mana for instant-speed removal or damage prevention effects when your rival attacks, leaving them vulnerable after investing mana and hopes in a boosted assault.

The key to outmaneuvering Vampire’s Bite lies in two strategies. First, always be wary of untapped mana and an attacking creature that could signal the card’s use. If you can, use removal spells before combat or in response to the cast of Vampire’s Bite to nullify the threat. Second, use cards that grant hexproof or protection from colors to safeguard your creatures from the targeted spell, undermining your opponent’s plan and gaining an upper hand. Stay one step ahead, and Vampire’s Bite won’t sink its teeth into your game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampire's Bite MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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's Bite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vampire's Bite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2013-03-15. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 1172003NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 192003NormalBlackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire's Bite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal