Venomous Breath MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 273
1999-10-04 - Number 281
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
At end of combat, destroy all creatures blocking or blocked by target creature this turn.
Cards like Venomous Breath
Venomous Breath introduces a compelling dynamic to creature control strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to other black spells that deal damage to creatures, such as Grasp of Darkness. However, Venomous Breath offers the flexibility of affecting multiple creatures, albeit conditionally. Grasp of Darkness targets a single creature with a more substantial and uncompromising amount of damage.
When it comes to mass damage spells, Infest is another card that shares similarities with Venomous Breath. Both cards can potentially clear the board of smaller creatures. The difference lies in Venomous Breath’s potential to scale its damage based on the number of creatures with poison counters, whereas Infest presents a predictable and consistent outcome without the need for setup. Then there’s Pestilence, an old favorite that also deals damage to all creatures, but with the added ability to repetitively activate each turn, potentially leading to a continuous threat to creature-heavy decks.
Ultimately, Venomous Breath adds strategic depth to Magic: The Gathering, delivering a nuanced approach to board control by leveraging poison counters, which can be devastating in the right deck. When considering utility and environmental synergy, Venomous Breath holds a unique position in the pantheon of creature control cards.
Cards similar to Venomous Breath by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Venomous Breath offers a tactical edge by potentially removing multiple creatures in one spell, refilling your hand as each creature with lesser toughness than the number of creatures in your graveyard is sent to the bin. This exchange often leads to a favorable shift in card parity.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct accelerant, the strategic removal of opponents’ threats can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by preserving your board state and life total, allowing you to apply your mana and resources more effectively as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Venomous Breath at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay. You can efficiently manage your mana during your turn for other spells or actions and judiciously respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, possibly disrupting their strategies at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Venomous Breath demands that you discard a card, which can backfire if your hand is already depleted. This additional cost can sometimes turn a strategic play into a setback, especially in tight game situations where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost necessitates black mana, which could restrict its fluid integration into multi-colored decks. Players running decks without a strong black mana base might find it challenging to use Venomous Breath effectively or consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana needed to play Venomous Breath might seem steep when compared to other removal or direct-damage spells in the game. For a four-mana investment, players expect a significant impact, and there might be alternative options that deliver more value or flexibility for the same, or less, mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Venomous Breath offers a flexible option for decks that want a responsive mechanism against creature-heavy strategies. Its ability to deal damage to multiple creatures makes it a valuable card for controlling the board state.
Combo Potential: As a spell with direct damage, Venomous Breath can work in tandem with cards that benefit from casting instants and sorceries or those that capitalize on damaging abilities, enhancing combo-centric decks.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggro decks are prevalent, having Venomous Breath can shift the tide of the game by removing key threats. It’s an apt choice for adapting to a creature-dense meta.
How to beat
Venomous Breath is a potent tool in any MTG player’s deck, capable of delivering board control by inflicting multiple points of damage to each opponent’s creature. Devised to sway the battlefield in mid-game scenarios, its power lies in its capacity to affect multiple targets simultaneously. To outmaneuver an adversary wielding Venomous Breath, a strategy centered on resilience is key.
One efficient method to counteract this card is by incorporating creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities, rendering them immune to Venomous Breath’s effects. Another approach involves the utilization of instant-speed spells that can bolster your creatures’ toughness beyond the reach of the spell’s damage threshold before it resolves. Moreover, focusing on playing cards that can regenerate or featuring indestructible creatures can safeguard your side from the threatening sweep.
Staying ahead of your opponent requires not just powerful plays but also strategic foresight. Maneuvering around Venomous Breath demands a mix of protective spells, timely counters, and creatures resilient to such destructive forces. Employ these tips, and preserve your presence on the board against the potent breath of venom that seeks to clear it.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Venomous Breath MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Mercadian Masques, 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 Venomous Breath 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 Venomous Breath Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1999-10-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 273 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 2 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 281 | 1997 | Normal | Black | DiTerlizzi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Venomous Breath has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Venomous Breath 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 | It affects creatures that had blocked the target when this spell resolves, even if they are no longer blocking the creature. |