Wicked Reward MTG Card

Strategic use of Wicked Reward can give players a significant card and resource advantage during gameplay. Flexibility to cast at instant speed allows for reactive and tactical decision-making against opponents. The card’s need for specific mana and the discard requirement requires judicious hand and deck management.

Wicked Reward - Multiverse Gift Box (MGB)

Multiverse Gift Box (MGB)
1996-11-01 - Number 7

Visions (VIS)
1997-02-03 - Number 75

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature. Target creature gets +4/+2 until end of turn.

"The blood on my hands is merely proof of my ambition." —Kaervek

Cards like Wicked Reward

Wicked Reward is an intriguing option for players looking to add a twist to their creature-oriented decks in Magic: The Gathering. This card bears a resemblance to other cards that offer a power boost, like Giant Growth, which provides a quick +3/+3 to a creature until end of turn. However, Wicked Reward requires the additional cost of sacrificing a creature, which, while a downside, can also be leveraged as an advantage in decks designed to capitalize on creature deaths.

Cards like Bloodbriar that gets stronger whenever you sacrifice another permanent, present an interesting synergy with Wicked Reward. By combining these, the loss of a creature turns into an overall strategic gain. Although it doesn’t provide an immediate power boost, Viscera Seer is another card that lets you sacrifice another creature for the long-term benefit of scrying and better deck manipulation, pointing to the potential strategic depths of such sacrifices.

In sum, while Wicked Reward might first seem at a disadvantage when compared to straightforward buff spells, its true potential is unleashed in builds that benefit from self-sacrifice, making it a unique asset in the right MTG deck archetype.

Cards similar to Wicked Reward by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Wicked Reward card gives players an edge by providing options to crucially manipulate the game in their favor. When played, its ability to potentially draw cards aligns with the strategy of outpacing your opponent in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Integrating this card in your strategy might result in efficient resource acceleration. By offering an alternative method to obtain specific resources, it can potentially streamline your path to deploying more powerful plays much earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Wicked Reward at instant speed grants you the tactical advantage of adaptability. This allows for reactive play, enabling strategic responses to opponents’ actions while keeping your own plans concealed until the moment is just right.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To tap into the power of Wicked Reward, you must discard a card. This prerequisite can hit you hard, especially in a game where each card in hand could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Such a demand can significantly hinder players who are already struggling to maintain a significant hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Wicked Reward demands a very specific mana arrangement, including black mana. This requirement can be restricting as it may not seamlessly fit into a multitude of deck archetypes, particularly those that diversify their mana base beyond the realms of black mana spells and abilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At the mana value it commands, Wicked Reward might not be as cost-effective when compared to other spells in its category. Players may find that the mana spent on Wicked Reward could be leveraged for more impactful cards that offer greater versatility or power, leading to a better overall mana economy in their gameplay strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wicked Reward is a dynamic card that can adapt to a variety of deck builds, supporting strategies that thrive on life point trades or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: Leveraging its ability to give creatures an attack boost can be a game-changer, especially when combined with cards that capitalize on boosted power or require sacrificing as part of their cost.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values aggressive playstyles, Wicked Reward offers a cost-effective way to tip the scales in your favor during critical combat phases.

How to beat

Wicked Reward is a unique spell among MTG cards that incentivizes players for sacrificing creatures. While this card can provide an opponent with a significant power boost, strategic play can overturn its advantage. The key is anticipating when the card is likely to be played since Wicked Reward aptly rewards ambush tactics.

Counterspells are your first line of defense. Disallow or Dovin’s Veto can negate Wicked Reward before it ever takes effect. Should the spell resolve, shift your strategy to remove the empowered creature. Cards like Murder, Path to Exile, or Unholy Heat can swiftly eliminate the threat. Alternatively, employ enchantments like Pacifism or Frogify to neutralize the creature without destroying it, essentially wasting your opponent’s investment.

Additionally, graveyard manipulation, such as scavenging with Scavenging Ooze, disrupts any play that relies on a creature dying. Finally, keeping your life total high with lifegain strategies can provide the buffer necessary to withstand an assault powered by Wicked Reward. By using these methods, you can effectively weaken the impact this card has on the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wicked Reward MTG card by a specific set like Multiverse Gift Box and Visions, 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 Wicked Reward and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wicked Reward Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-11-01 and 1997-02-03. Illustrated by D. Alexander Gregory.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-11-01	Multiverse Gift Box	MGB		7	1997	Normal	Black	D. Alexander Gregory
2	1997-02-03	Visions	VIS		75	1997	Normal	Black	D. Alexander Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wicked Reward has restrictions

Format	Legality
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 Wicked Reward card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-04-15	Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2013-04-15	You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures.