Venom MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 90
1995-04-01 - Number 280
1995-04-01 - Number 280
1995-08-01 - Number 165
1997-03-24 - Number 336
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
All non-wall creatures target creature blocks or is blocked by are destroyed at the end of combat.
"I told him it was just a flesh wound, a wee scratch, but the next time I looked at him, poor Tadhg was dead and gone." —Maeveen O'Donagh, *Memoirs of a Soldier*
Cards like Venom
Venom is an intriguing card that presents itself as a defensively potent tool in player’s arsenals. It stands in line with various other cards that grant creatures the ability to neutralize threats, akin to Lure, which entices all opposing creatures to block if able. While Lure is more proactive in commandeering the battlefield, Venom takes a passive-aggressive approach, passively deterring attacks by endowing a creature with deathtouch.
In the realm of deathtouch, we can draw parallels to Basilisk Collar, a card that not only grants deathtouch but also lifelink, providing a dual advantage. Yet, Venom remains unique with its lower mana cost and enchantment nature, a subtle difference that can be pivotal in gameplay strategy. Then there’s Deadly Recluse, a creature inherently equipped with deathtouch. While not an enchantment, it shares the philosophy of deterrence found in Venom. It’s worth noting that Deadly Recluse can act as both a blocker and an attacker, offering a more versatile option, though with a one-time usage upon its expiration.
Evaluating the spectrum of similar capabilities, Venom can be quite effective within defensive strategies, leveraging its enchantment stability as compared to creature-based alternatives in MTG.
Cards similar to Venom by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Venom MTG card can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to either deal with a potent threat or risk falling behind. This creates an implicit card advantage as opponents may need to use their resources inefficiently to handle the dilemmas posed by Venom.
Resource Acceleration: If Venom allows you to eliminate an opponent’s creature, particularly a mana dork or other resource-generating creature, it paves the way for resource acceleration by removing blockers or resource engines on your opponent’s side of the board, allowing you to press your own advantage.
Instant Speed: Being able to deploy Venom at instant speed provides the flexibility to adapt to the evolving game state, responding to threats during your opponent’s turn or at a moment when it can have the most impact, often at the end of their turn to untap and utilize your resources effectively on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Venom as a card can put you at a disadvantage with its discard requirement, potentially depleting your hand and leaving you with fewer options for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Having a specific mana cost that includes green mana confines its playability, making it less flexible and only suitable for decks able to generate that type of mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana cost for its effects, Venom can be a less attractive option compared to other cards that could provide similar benefits or more impactful plays for the same or lesser investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Venom is adaptable across a variety of deck types. Its ability to give creatures deathtouch makes it an excellent addition to strategies that focus on creature-based combat or defensive tactics.
Combo Potential: This card works well with cards that allow creatures to deal damage in ways other than combat, such as with pingers or tap abilities, turning them into deadly threats.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where large creatures dominate, Venom tips the balance in your favor, providing smaller creatures the means to tackle any threats that come their way effectively.
How to beat
The Venom card creates a challenging dynamic on the battlefield for Magic: The Gathering players. This devious enchantment attaches to a creature, granting it the ability to destroy any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by, regardless of the other creature’s toughness. Understanding the mechanics and weaknesses of Venom can therefore be crucial.
To counteract Venom’s lethal effect, consider using enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which directly target the problematic enchantment. Alternatively, evasion tactics like making your creatures unblockable or using flying to soar over the ensnared creature can effectively sidestep the issue. Moreover, using spells that grant indestructible temporarily to your creatures could also prove effective against Venom’s destructive nature. Utilizing these strategies can tilt the scales back in your favor, mitigating the threat posed by Venom and maintaining control of the battlefield.
Ultimately, with the right approach and tools at your disposal, overcoming the hurdles posed by Venom is not only feasible but can also turn into a strategic advantage for the astute MTG player. A solid understanding of the cards at hand coupled with strategic gameplay will help ensure that Venom’s presence does not dictate the outcome of your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Venom MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, 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 Venom 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 Venom Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by Tom Wänerstrand.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 90 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 280 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 280 | 1993 | Normal | White | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 165 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 336 | 1997 | Normal | White | Tom Wänerstrand |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Venom has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Venom card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If this Aura is moved onto a creature after blockers are declared, creatures blocking the newly-enchanted creature are not affected. This is because the ability triggers at the time blocking occurs. |