Vizkopa Vampire MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 220
2024-02-23 - Number 217
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Abilities | Lifelink |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Lifelink
Orzhov vampires look for allies in unlikely places in case their new guildmaster turns on them. The fate of the Obzedat is proof of Kaya's power and her hatred of the living dead.
Cards like Vizkopa Vampire
The Vizkopa Vampire has established its presence within the lifelink creature space in Magic: The Gathering. A direct comparison can be drawn to Child of Night, as both are two-mana cost creatures that grant you life with each combat damage dealt to an opponent. Yet, Vizkopa Vampire stands out with its additional keyword, vigilance, providing both offense and defense in one turn without tapping.
When considering similar cards, Tithe Drinker comes to mind. This creature also sports lifelink and comes with the extort mechanic, which can be a potent source of life gain and a drain on your opponent’s resources. However, it does come with a more restrictive mana cost, needing both white and black mana. Vizkopa Vampire, in contrast, asks only for black mana, offering a more flexible casting option in mono-black or multi-colored decks.
As we examine these creatures and their roles in various decks, Vizkopa Vampire emerges as a versatile card, especially for players looking to maintain strong board presence while reaping the benefits of recurring life gain.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Vizkopa Vampire brings not just its power to the field but also synergizes with life gain strategies, adding valuable card interactions that can tip the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, it helps establish your board presence early on, potentially accelerating your strategy by giving you an early resource to leverage.
Instant Speed: Its lifelink ability works excellently at instant speed, allowing you to gain life during combat on either player’s turn, thus integrating well with cards that trigger off life gain. Additionally, any instant speed tricks in your arsenal become more potent when you have a lifelink creature in play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vizkopa Vampire demands a discard from your hand to activate certain abilities. This can turn into a setback when you’re already struggling with maintaining card advantage, essentially forcing you to trade vital resources for its full potential.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Vizkopa Vampire is notably color-specific, requiring both white and black mana. This makes it less versatile and harder to incorporate into decks that don’t strictly support a black and white mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that may be deemed steep for its stats and abilities, Vizkopa Vampire could be less appealing compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players may opt for alternatives that provide a better cost-to-benefit ratio in their deck’s curve.
Reasons to Include Vizkopa Vampire in Your Collection
Versatility: Vizkopa Vampire offers a flexible role in both aggressive and lifegain focused decks. As a low-cost creature, it can serve as an early game threat or a vital piece in a larger lifegain strategy.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that synergize with lifelink or benefit from +1/+1 counters, Vizkopa Vampire becomes a springboard for powerful combos that can swiftly turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies thrive or where gaining incremental advantages is key, the lifelink provided by Vizkopa Vampire can be crucial in maintaining a healthy life total while applying pressure to opponents.
How to beat
Vizkopa Vampire is a card that can be a persistent threat in MTG due to its lifelink ability, which allows its controller to gain life equal to the damage dealt. This characteristic can quickly turn the tide of a match, making it essential to tackle the creature swiftly. To defeat Vizkopa Vampire, it’s crucial to limit its opportunities to attack.
One effective strategy is to remove it from play as soon as possible. Utilizing removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed, such as Murder or Fatal Push, will help you maintain control over the board. Another approach is to use creature abilities that can block and eliminate Vizkopa Vampire without sustaining too much damage, such as creatures with deathtouch.
Additionally, preventing it from dealing damage in the first place is key. This can be achieved by enchantments that keep the vampire tapped or by spells that reduce its power. Playing strategically and keeping removal or control spells on hand is the best defense against Vizkopa Vampire and similar threats. By managing the board effectively and having a plan to deal with creatures that carry lifelink, you can ensure that Vizkopa Vampire doesn’t destabilize your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vizkopa Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Vizkopa Vampire 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 Vizkopa Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 220 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 217 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vizkopa Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |