Vindictive Lich MTG Card


Vindictive Lich enables multiple strategies, from hand disruption to creature sacrifices, leveraging its death triggers. Its abilities at instant speed allow for surprise tactics, greatly altering the battlefield dynamics on the fly. While powerful, the Lich’s specific mana needs can limit deck flexibility, requiring a thoughtful mana base strategy.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Zombie Wizard
Power 4
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Vindictive Lich dies, choose one or more. Each mode must target a different player. • Target opponent sacrifices a creature. • Target opponent discards two cards. • Target opponent loses 5 life.

Heart, mind, soul—weapons all.


Cards like Vindictive Lich

Vindictive Lich is a staple choice for those looking to add strategy and surprise to their graveyard-themed decks in Magic: The Gathering. The card can be compared to other creatures like Merciless Executioner and Fleshbag Marauder. Both demand that each player sacrifices a creature when they enter the battlefield. While this is similar to one of Vindictive Lich’s choices upon its demise, these alternatives don’t provide the flexibility or the additional options that Vindictive Lich offers upon death.

Analyzing more closely, we also see the resemblance to Slum Reaper, which follows the same sacrifice theme but lacks the powerful aftermath provided by Vindictive Lich. This advantage is important as it allows Vindictive Lich to not only affect the board when it leaves play but to also ensure that its departure has lingering impacts, be it through card disadvantage, life loss, or further sacrifices for opponents.

Ultimately, Vindictive Lich’s strength lies in its versatility and the ability to influence the game in multiple ways, a trait that sets it apart from similar cards within Magic: The Gathering. Thus, it’s clear why Vindictive Lich holds a valuable slot in decks where death triggers and multi-faceted tactical plays are pivotal.

Merciless Executioner - MTG Card versions
Fleshbag Marauder - MTG Card versions
Slum Reaper - MTG Card versions
Merciless Executioner - MTG Card versions
Fleshbag Marauder - MTG Card versions
Slum Reaper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vindictive Lich by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
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Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Akuta, Born of Ash - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Akuta, Born of Ash - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Vindictive Lich. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vindictive Lich offers a significant boost when it comes to card advantage. Upon its death, you can force opponents to sacrifice creatures, discard cards, or lose life based on the number of opponents, thereby whittling down their resources while you maintain a strong board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, Vindictive Lich acts as a form of resource acceleration by efficiently disrupting your opponents’ strategies. Controlling the tempo of the game can be just as powerful as ramping up your own mana resources.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Vindictive Lich’s effect at instant speed during the combat or end phase, due to sacrifice outlets or instant-speed removal interactions, allows for strategic plays that can pivot the game in your favor on a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vindictive Lich forces players to choose and discard cards when it dies, which may be detrimental if opponents control the timing of this trigger.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost requires one specific color (black), necessitating a strategy leaning towards black mana resources and possibly restricting deck versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a four mana value, with three of them being black, it sums to a sizeable investment, particularly in a multicolored deck where mana bases can be strained.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vindictive Lich offers a unique blend of abilities, allowing it to slot into various strategies, from controlling the board to aggressive zombie tribal decks. Its impact is felt whether it’s your graveyard or the battlefield, making it a multi-faceted addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: When Vindictive Lich meets its demise, the triggers can set off a cascade of effects in the right deck. Pairing it with sacrificial mechanics or recursion in a black-based deck can devastate opponents and tip the scales in your favor through carefully orchestrated plays.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its capacity to disrupt hand, drain life, and sacrifice creatures, Vindictive Lich holds its own against a variety of popular deck archetypes. It’s a card that requires an immediate answer, remaining relevant against various competitive formats and strategies.


How to beat

Vindictive Lich is a potent creature card that can wreak havoc in multiplayer formats, especially in an MTG Commander game. Its unique ability to trigger multiple effects upon death makes it a resilient threat that can disrupt your opponents’ strategies. When facing Vindictive Lich, one of the key tactics is to minimize the impact of its death triggers. Using exile effects such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can remove it from the game without triggering its abilities.

Control decks might consider counterspells to prevent Vindictive Lich from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Cards like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can be very effective. It’s also beneficial to limit the number of creatures you control as Vindictive Lich’s controller chooses targets for the creature loss and discard effects. Furthermore, having a robust hand size or graveyard recursion strategies can help mitigate the damage caused by its discard and reanimation triggers. Lastly, instant speed removal can be a huge advantage, allowing you to wait until the last possible moment before your opponent intends to sacrifice the Lich, rendering their strategy less effective.

By preparing the right answers and adjusting your playstyle, you can handle Vindictive Lich and maintain control over the game. Keeping these strategies in mind, you can turn a potentially game-ending threat into a manageable one.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Vindictive Lich has piqued your interest, diving deeper can provide a critical edge during gameplay. Equipped with the right knowledge, you can harness its disruptive abilities to strengthen your deck’s overall strategy. Combining Vindictive Lich with compatible cards maximizes its potential, allowing for surprise plays and game-pivoting moves. Consider what intricacies you might unlock by adding Vindictive Lich to your arsenal and the strategic depth it could bring to your MTG matches. Embrace its complexity and watch as your deck evolves. With our insights on gameplay, your MTG experience will be as thrilling as it is strategic. Ready to expand your collection and gameplay mastery? Dive deeper with us and get to the heart of utilizing Vindictive Lich effectively.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vindictive Lich MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2017 and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Vindictive Lich and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vindictive Lich Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-08-25 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-08-25Commander 2017C17 212015NormalBlackToma Feizo Gas
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 2352015NormalBlackAlexandre Chaudret
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1962015NormalBlackToma Feizo Gas
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5252015NormalBlackToma Feizo Gas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vindictive Lich has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vindictive Lich card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-08-25 You can’t choose more modes for Vindictive Lich’s triggered ability than you have opponents, but you need to choose at least one target if you can.
2017-08-25 You don’t have to choose a mode for each opponent. For example, you could make one opponent lose 5 life and spare each other opponent. They might not repay your kindness.