Vile Consumption MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Number | 285 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Heather Hudson |
Text of card
All creatures have "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature unless you pay 1 life."
The plague moved faster than an army and was far more deadly.
Cards like Vile Consumption
Vile Consumption stands as a unique player within the realm of enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. This card is not without its peers, though it provides a distinct twist. It bears similarities to cards like Pestilence, which allows players to pay mana to deal damage to each creature and player. Vile Consumption offers a passive approach; instead of actively paying mana, it slowly whittles down the life of all creatures. Unlike Pestilence, Vile Consumption’s damage is inevitable as each upkeep triggers its life-draining ability.
Another card to consider alongside Vile Consumption is Call to the Grave. While Call to the Grave doesn’t dole out damage during each upkeep, it demands each player to sacrifice a non-Zombie creature at the beginning of his or her upkeep. Vile Consumption, in comparison, is indiscriminate, affecting all creatures and sparing none based on type. Kuro, Pitlord also presents a notable comparison with its ability to pay life to destroy creatures, but it too differs significantly with its focus on target selection and being creature-based.
Analyzing Vile Consumption within its category, its consistent, passive damage output and creature-agnostic approach give it an edge in control strategies that aim to clear the board and pressure opponents over time.
Cards similar to Vile Consumption by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vile Consumption provides a continuous effect that can lead to significant card advantage. By consistently dealing with small creatures or pecking away at opponents’ health, it can gradually tilt the board state in your favor without the need to commit additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: This enchantment may not directly produce resources, but by disrupting your opponents’ creature-based strategies, it can effectively slow them down. This, in turn, accelerates your relative positioning as you maintain board presence or develop your resources unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Although Vile Consumption itself does not operate at instant speed, it incentivizes you to include instant speed removal and counterspells in your deck to react to threats that can bypass its damage threshold. This leads to a more reactive and resilient gameplay style, forcing opponents to second-guess their plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vile Consumption’s activation necessitates discarding a card, which can be detrimental during late-game scenarios or when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires black and blue mana, potentially restricting it to decks that can reliably generate both colors, hence limiting its versatility in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost leaning on the higher side, Vile Consumption may compete for a deck slot against other impactful cards that could be cast earlier in the game or provide a stronger immediate impact on the board state.
Reasons to Include Vile Consumption in Your Collection
Versatility: Vile Consumption can be a flexible addition to various deck archetypes, particularly those that aim to control the battlefield. Its utility in chipping away at opponents’ life totals and discouraging creature-heavy strategies makes it a solid choice for blue-black control decks.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with other effects that penalize creatures, such as those that cause loss of life when creatures enter the battlefield, or cards that decrease opponent creature’s power and toughness, compounding the pressure on your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature-based decks are prevalent, Vile Consumption provides a continuous threat that can shift the tide of the game. Its presence on the battlefield can be a deterrent to token strategies and go-wide approaches, making it a relevant card for the current competitive scene.
How to beat
Vile Consumption can be a formidable enchantment to face in Magic: The Gathering. This card challenges players with its ability to continually chip away at creatures’ health, offering a steady advantage to those who can manipulate creature conservation. It requires a nuanced approach to effectively navigate through its persistent effects.
The key to overcoming Vile Consumption lies in utilizing sturdy creatures with high toughness to withstand the damage, shielding them with indestructible or regeneration abilities, or employing a strategy that does not heavily rely on creature presence. Spells that can remove enchantments are also essential tools, such as Disenchant and Naturalize. Additionally, using counter magic to prevent Vile Consumption from hitting the field in the first place is a sound tactic. Aggressive decks can aim to close out the game before Vile Consumption’s influence takes its full toll.
Overall, remaining cognizant of Vile Consumption’s board impact while maintaining a balance between creature conservation and assertive gameplay is pivotal in defeating this pestilent enchantment. Crafting a deck with answers to it is a surefire way to ensure that this card doesn’t consume your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vile Consumption MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Vile Consumption 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vile Consumption has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |