Highborn Vampire MTG Card


Highborn Vampire - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vampire Warrior
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number107
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDenman Rooke

Key Takeaways

  1. Its graveyard recursion assures continual board presence for sustained card advantage in gameplay.
  2. Highborn Vampire’s synergies can significantly boost resource acceleration, making it a strategic asset.
  3. Despite the versatility, its specific mana cost and high mana requirement may hinder deck integration.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Highborn Vampire is a prime choice for decks that aim to maintain a steady presence on the battlefield. With its potential to return from the graveyard to the field under certain conditions, it ensures that you consistently have a creature to work with, hence providing ongoing card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Coupling the Highborn Vampire with various synergistic strategies can lead to impressive resource acceleration. Combining this card with others that benefit from vampire or creature type synergies can expedite your path to overwhelming your opponent with a formidable force.

Instant Speed: Although the Highborn Vampire itself does not operate at instant speed, it interacts well with other cards that do. This can set up powerful plays where the vampire can be brought back or buffed unexpectedly during an opponent’s turn, creating advantageous situations and momentum swings.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Highborn Vampire comes with an inherent disadvantage for some players due to its requirement to discard other cards. This could possibly deplete valuable hand options, making it a risky play in situations where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both black and colorless mana, this vampire creature may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks, potentially restricting its versatility and overall utility across various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Mana efficiency is key in competitive play, and the Highborn Vampire’s cost compared to other creatures in its class could be considered high. There are alternatives that may provide similar or better benefits without the steep mana requirement, making them more appealing in a tight game scenario.


Reasons to Include Highborn Vampire in Your Collection

Versatility: Highborn Vampire is a robust choice for black-themed decks looking for a reliable creature presence. Its straightforward mana cost and solid power make it an easy inclusion in a variety of builds, from aggressive strategies to more balanced midrange plays.

Combo Potential: This vampire pairs well with cards that feed off of creature synergies. Whether you’re enhancing sacrifice mechanics or utilizing death triggers, Highborn Vampire provides a cost-effective piece that can help to enable combo plays and generate value.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based strategies prevail, the Highborn Vampire holds its own. Its tribal Vampire designation can be particularly relevant, meshing seamlessly with powerful Vampire synergies that are frequently updated and supported in new sets, keeping your gameplay sharp and current.


How to beat Highborn Vampire

Highborn Vampire is a card that presents a challenge on the battlefield with its solid stats. To overcome this creature, one must consider its weaknesses and the context in which it’s played. It lacks any form of inherent protection, making it susceptible to removal spells. Something as straightforward as a Murder or a Doom Blade can handle it efficiently without much fuss. If playing against a deck that capitalizes on vampire synergies, it’s strategic to disrupt these alliances with board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear out multiple threats including Highborn Vampire.

Furthermore, you can outpace the threat of Highborn Vampire by deploying creatures with better cost-to-power ratios or those that offer utility beyond raw strength. Cards with deathtouch, like Foulmire Knight, can deter attacks or trade favorably. Don’t forget about combat tricks either. A well-timed Giant Growth or a flash creature such as Ambush Viper can turn the tide against this formidable vampire. Always consider the vampire’s power but remember its absence of evasion makes it a creature that can be strategically managed with smart play and well-chosen spells.


Cards like Highborn Vampire

Highborn Vampire, a creature known for its solid stature in the MTG realm, shares its characteristics with a breed of similarly cost-effective vampires. For example, Vampire of the Dire Moon stands out with its lifelink ability, which allows players to gain life equal to the damage dealt. Although it lacks the sheer power of Highborn Vampire, it offers a strategic health advantage throughout the game.

Another kin to Highborn Vampire in the vampire family is Bloodthirsty Aerialist. While matching up in power, it boasts the flying ability and has the potential to grow stronger with each instance of life gain. Compared to Highborn Vampire, which stands as a reliable ground force, Bloodthirsty Aerialist provides an aerial threat that can steadily increase in menace.

Furthermore, the card Child of Night also finds itself in a comparative spotlight. While this card comes with a lower mana cost, it brings to the battlefield lifelink, a attribute that Highborn Vampire does not possess. However, Child of Night falls short in terms of power and toughness, making Highborn Vampire the heftier option for a more aggressive play.

Vampire of the Dire Moon - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Child of Night - MTG Card versions
Vampire of the Dire Moon - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Child of Night - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Highborn Vampire by color, type and mana cost

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
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - 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
Hell's Caretaker - Chronicles (CHR)
Rag Man - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phyrexian Debaser - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Slinking Skirge - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gravedigger - The List (PLST)
Scandalmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Urborg Shambler - Invasion (INV)
Whispering Shade - Odyssey (ODY)
Cabal Surgeon - Torment (TOR)
Filth - Judgment (JUD)
Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Dirge Bat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Gixian Puppeteer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Toxin Sliver - Legions (LGN)
Vampiric Spirit - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nim Shambler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Bad Ass - Unhinged (UNH)
Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Highborn Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Highborn Vampire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Highborn Vampire has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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