Avatar of Slaughter MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Avatar
Power 8
Toughness 8

Key Takeaways

  1. Avatar of Slaughter can quickly end games, commonly leading to significant card advantage for its controller.
  2. Its presence on the battlefield consolidates resources, focusing strategies on protection and decisive strikes.
  3. While not instant-speed, its sheer power alters the game’s pace, lending a psychological edge to the wielder.

Text of card

All creatures have double strike and attack each turn if able.

"Diplomacy has solved nothing. Only bloodspill can end this now. Call forth the warbringer." —Basandra, Battle Seraph


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Avatar of Slaughter stands out as a powerhouse that can often end games quickly once on the battlefield. When you control this card, it’s not uncommon for the board to tilt heavily in your favor, potentially overwhelming your opponent and leaving them with few options. This commanding presence can translate into significant card advantage as your opponent may be forced to use multiple resources to deal with this single threat.

Resource Acceleration: While Avatar of Slaughter itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its impact can effectively diminish the need for other creatures. This allows you to dedicate more of your mana and card resources to support and protection spells, enabling a stronger, more focused strategy that revolves around launching a decisive attack.

Instant Speed: Although Avatar of Slaughter does not operate at instant speed, its presence modifies the pace of the game. Once you successfully summon Avatar of Slaughter, the dynamic of the game instantly shifts. Every move your opponent makes must now consider the overwhelming force you wield, effectively giving you a form of psychological advantage as they scramble to respond to the doubled attack power and forced combat on each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging the power of this card requires a strategy that accommodates its potential to deplete your hand. If you’re unprepared, you might find yourself with a diminished set of options for subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying this powerful creature comes with a distinct mana requirement that can be a significant constraint. Deck builders must thoughtfully balance their resources to successfully summon this force to the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the universe of available cards, the cost to bring forth the Avatar of Slaughter is steep. Savvy players consider alternative cards that might enable a swifter or more economical route to victory.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Avatar of Slaughter can be a defining card in any deck that aims to win through combat. Its ability to double the attack power of creatures on the battlefield makes it suitable for aggro, midrange, or any strategy geared towards overwhelming opponents with sheer force.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that limit your opponent’s ability to block, strategies looking to increase combat damage output, or as an unexpected finisher in decks with a strong board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are decided by creature combat, Avatar of Slaughter becomes a formidable threat. Its impact on the battlefield can shift the balance in your favor, demanding an immediate answer from opponents unprepared for such an aggressive increase in pressure.


How to beat

Confronting the Avatar of Slaughter in Magic: The Gathering can be a steep challenge given its substantial impact on the battlefield. This formidable card doubles the attacking power of all creatures and mandates that they attack each turn if able. To successfully navigate this threat, players should consider a variety of strategies. Control decks that can counter key spells before they resolve are a solid first line of defense. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board before the Avatar’s effect comes into play.

Alternatively, employing spot removal spells such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can target the Avatar directly, sidestepping its aggressive influence. Players may also opt for pacifism effects which netralize the fighting capability of creatures without removing them, thus nullifying the Avatar’s aggressive push. Strategic use of these techniques can dismantle the overwhelming presence of the Avatar of Slaughter and retain control over the match flow. Formulating a game plan around these pivots can turn a daunting obstacle into a manageable one, and potentially pave your way to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring MTG is a thrilling journey and Avatar of Slaughter is a card that can take your matches to the next level. Its potential to quickly shift the game in your favor makes it a valuable asset for players looking to dominate through sheer force. Yet, mastery in MTG also means understanding the weaknesses and strategic necessities of your deck. It’s essential to know when to play this card and how it fits into a broader strategy. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your deck with Avatar of Slaughter? Dive deeper with us and master the art of the game.


Cards like Avatar of Slaughter

Avatar of Slaughter stands out as an imposing force in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other heavyweight cards like Gisela, Blade of Goldnight. Both amplify battle damage, but the Avatar doubles the attack of all creatures, pushing each player towards a more aggressive playstyle. By contrast, Gisela is more defensive, halving damage to you and permanent you control, while also doubling damage to your opponents, offering a strategic edge in battle.

Comparatively, another parallel can be drawn with Aggravated Assault, which offers additional combat phases but provides no power boost to creatures. While Aggravated Assault can be used selectively according to strategic needs, the Avatar of Slaughter is indiscriminate, enhancing every combatant’s offensive capabilities on the battlefield. Additionally, Gratuitous Violence operates similarly by doubling damage output, though it applies only to creatures you control and does not affect combat in the same all-encompassing manner.

Evaluating these cards, Avatar of Slaughter’s global impact on attack power stands as a double-edged sword, defining high-risk, high-reward strategies which can dramatically sway the course of a game, aligning well with the aggressive approaches favored in certain MTG formats and decks.

Gisela, Blade of Goldnight - MTG Card versions
Aggravated Assault - MTG Card versions
Gratuitous Violence - MTG Card versions
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight - MTG Card versions
Aggravated Assault - MTG Card versions
Gratuitous Violence - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Avatar of Slaughter by color, type and mana cost

Brimstone Dragon - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Fury - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Colossus - MTG Card versions
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Magmatic Force - MTG Card versions
Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Bearer of the Heavens - MTG Card versions
Bedlam Reveler - MTG Card versions
Molten Monstrosity - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Dragon - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Fury - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Colossus - MTG Card versions
Ashen Firebeast - MTG Card versions
Petradon - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Roaring Blades - MTG Card versions
Excruciator - MTG Card versions
Living Inferno - MTG Card versions
Bogardan Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Akroma, Angel of Fury - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Kher Ridges - MTG Card versions
Hearthcage Giant - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Force - MTG Card versions
Utvara Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Bearer of the Heavens - MTG Card versions
Bedlam Reveler - MTG Card versions
Molten Monstrosity - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Avatar of Slaughter MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology, 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 Avatar of Slaughter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Avatar of Slaughter Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1112003NormalBlackJason A. Engle
22017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 772015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7792015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2062015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5292015NormalBlackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Avatar of Slaughter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-09-22 If, during a player's declare attackers step, a creature is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can't attack, or hasn't been under that player's control continuously since the turn began (and doesn't have haste), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack, the player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.

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