Murderous Spoils MTG Card


Murderous Spoils - Darksteel
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameDarksteel
Set codeDST
Number48
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAdam Rex

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage by combining threat removal with artifact acquisition.
  2. Can steal resources, enhancing your board while conserving mana.
  3. Instant speed allows for flexible, responsive gameplay tactics.

Text of card

Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated. You gain control of all Equipment that was attached to it. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.)

Scavengers are always the first to pay their respects.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Murderous Spoils delivers a double punch of removing an opponent’s threat while simultaneously equipping you with their weapons or armor, potentially swaying the card balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct resource accelerator, this card can indirectly boost your board’s power by commandeering your opponent’s artifacts, saving you the mana and effort of deploying your own.

Instant Speed: The ability to enact this thievery at instant speed ensures that your tactical options stay wide open, allowing you to adapt swiftly to the ever-changing battlefield conditions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Murderous Spoils mandates a player to discard a card, which may compromise hand advantage, especially when you’re in need of maintaining a variety of options.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is fixed with black mana, requiring a commitment to that color in your deck, potentially limiting flexibility and synergy with non-black decks or strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher side for its effects, Murderous Spoils competes with other removal spells that could be more cost-effective or provide additional benefits.


Reasons to Include Murderous Spoils in Your Collection

Versatility: Murderous Spoils is not just a removal card but also doubles as a means to steal your opponent’s threat, making it a versatile addition to black-based or multicolor decks seeking utility.

Combo Potential: This card can create unexpected advantages by pairing it with cards that benefit from equipment or artifacts. It disrupts opponents while fueling your own tactical plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifact creatures or equipment strategies are prevalent, Murderous Spoils can provide a significant swing in board presence and resource advantage.


How to beat Murderous Spoils

Murderous Spoils is a unique card from Magic: The Gathering that stands out for its ability to destroy a non-black creature and allow a player to take control of their equipment artifacts. This dual-purposed removal and control card can certainly make an impact on the game’s flow. When facing Murderous Spoils, it’s essential to pre-empt the threat it poses. One effective strategy is to maintain a diverse array of creatures, ensuring not all are vulnerable to single-target removal. Furthermore, limiting the value of your equipment artifacts or keeping a reserve of creatures capable of equipping them on short notice can mitigate the potential losses.

An additional tactic to combat the impact of Murderous Spoils involves keeping mana open for spells that can counter or protect your assets. Instants like Negate or Heroic Intervention grant the agility to respond directly to the casting of Murderous Spoils, either by countering it outright or by safeguarding the creatures and equipment it targets. Players should also consider the current board state and the possibility of their opponent holding this removal spell before committing critical equipment to the field.


Cards like Murderous Spoils

Murderous Spoils is a unique card that brings both removal and resource gain to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This black card echoes the abilities of cards like Rise to the Challenge, wherein removal of creatures is possible. However, Murderous Spoils adds a layer of depth by allowing the player to also snatch an opposing artifact. This is quite different from the straightforward creature destruction offered by cards like Doom Blade, which strictly deals with creatures but doesn’t offer the potential for an additional reward.

As we look across the spectrum, Geth’s Verdict presents itself as a comparably potent removal card. It demands that an opponent sacrifices a creature, similar to the compulsory nature of Murderous Spoils’ effect. Unlike Murderous Spoils, Geth’s Verdict doesn’t hand over an artifact, but it does cause the opponent to lose life, a balance of threat elimination and direct damage.

Examining these choices, Murderous Spoils holds a unique place among MTG cards for its combination of aggressive removal and the tactical advantage of claiming an artifact. This dual-purpose function positions it for interesting strategic plays where timing and target choice can swing the match in your favor.

Rise to the Challenge - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Geth's Verdict - MTG Card versions
Rise to the Challenge - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Doom Blade - Magic 2010 (M10)
Geth's Verdict - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Cards similar to Murderous Spoils by color, type and mana cost

Spinning Darkness - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Decree - MTG Card versions
Betrayal of Flesh - MTG Card versions
Pull Under - MTG Card versions
Dark Withering - MTG Card versions
Haunting Hymn - MTG Card versions
Death Rattle - MTG Card versions
Nemesis Trap - MTG Card versions
Public Execution - MTG Card versions
Grip of Desolation - MTG Card versions
Curtains' Call - MTG Card versions
Eyes of the Beholder - MTG Card versions
Topaz Dragon // Entropic Cloud - MTG Card versions
Merciless Repurposing - MTG Card versions
Spinning Darkness - Weatherlight (WTH)
Tsabo's Decree - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Betrayal of Flesh - Hachette UK (PHUK)
Pull Under - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Dark Withering - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Haunting Hymn - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Death Rattle - Modern Masters (MMA)
Nemesis Trap - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Public Execution - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Grip of Desolation - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Curtains' Call - Commander Masters (CMM)
Eyes of the Beholder - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)
Topaz Dragon // Entropic Cloud - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)
Merciless Repurposing - March of the Machine (MOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Murderous Spoils MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Murderous Spoils and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Murderous Spoils has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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