Sudden Death MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 134
2021-03-19 - Number 143
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Split second |
Key Takeaways
- It provides direct removal for tough creatures, bypassing any regeneration abilities.
- Instant speed casting offers strategic versatility during crucial game moments.
- While potent, its specific mana cost and discard requirement may limit usability.
Text of card
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't play spells or activated abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.
Some mages tapped into the time rifts, forcing upon others alternate timelines in which unimaginable horrors befall them.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Sudden Death doesn’t allow you to draw cards, it offers a form of card advantage by potentially removing a threat without the risk of it being regenerated. This can tip the scales in your favor, especially when dealing with creatures that are otherwise difficult to eliminate.
Resource Acceleration: Sudden Death may not directly accelerate your resources, but its efficiency in handling threats can save you the mana you would otherwise spend on multiple spells to deal with a single creature. This retains your mana for other strategic plays, effectively keeping your resource pool flexible.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Sudden Death at instant speed gives you significant strategic leverage. You can navigate around your opponent’s turns and dictate combat outcomes more favorably. The surprise element can disrupt your opponent’s plan, making it a powerful tool in your arsenal during pivotal moments of a game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sudden Death forces you to manage your hand efficiently since it demands instant card discard, which can disrupt your strategy, especially when you’re running out of options.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Sudden Death, you need two black mana. This specific requirement means it won’t fit seamlessly into every deck, potentially restricting its playability across various archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including the two aforementioned black mana, this card is considerably costlier compared to other instant speed removal options in MTG. This makes it a less optimal choice in situations where mana efficiency is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sudden Death is a powerful instant that can slide into a wide array of deck builds. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ creatures without allowing responses can be a game-changer at any stage.
Combo Potential: Its split-second mechanic pairs well with strategies aiming to protect key spells or capitalize on uncounterable actions, which can thwart numerous opponent strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based combos or combat tricks are prevalent, Sudden Death’s ability to immediately take out a key creature can significantly shift the tide of battle, making it a valuable asset in competitive play.
How to beat
Sudden Death is a spell that can shift the balance of a game in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to take out a creature in an instant. Understanding how to navigate against such a potent card becomes crucial. It’s imperative to bait out this removal card early on by presenting less critical threats that coax your opponent into acting prematurely. Maintaining a diverse lineup of creatures can help in mitigating the impact of Sudden Death, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt your key plays.
Another strategy involves utilising creatures with indestructible or having abilities that can regenerate or give them protection from black spells for the turn. This forces the Sudden Death card to lose its target and become a wasted resource. Additionally, keeping counter spells or hexproof abilities up your sleeve can protect your most valuable creatures and nullify the surprise element of Sudden Death.
The key is to remain adaptable and keep in mind that while Sudden Death can be a formidable spell, it only targets one creature. Playing with composure and smart planning can turn the tables, making the mayhem caused by Sudden Death nothing more than a minor setback in your path to victory.
Cards like Sudden Death
Sudden Death is a tactical spell in Magic: The Gathering that stands out in the realm of creature removal. At first glance, one might relate it to the iconic Terror or Doom Blade, both cost-effective and conventional destruction spells. Sudden Death differs with its split-second ability, nullifying your opponents’ chance to react – a powerful edge over cards like Terror that do not possess this trait. Moreover, Doom Blade’s limitation to nonblack creatures does not apply to Sudden Death, offering broader targeting possibilities.
Another card that finds its place in the comparison is Sudden Spoiling. It shares the split-second characteristic, making it a swift and unexpected move, but it doesn’t destroy. Instead, it neutralizes creatures’ abilities, reducing their stats. While it affects a wider range of targets, Sudden Death’s ability to outright eliminate a creature is usually a more definitive advantage.
In evaluating the efficiency of removal cards, Sudden Death’s combination of unresponsiveness with its capacity to destroy creatures regardless of color makes it a highly reliable option for players who aim to control the battlefield with decisiveness.
Cards similar to Sudden Death by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sudden Death MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Sudden Death and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Printings
The Sudden Death Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Dave Allsop.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 134 | 2003 | normal | black | Dave Allsop | |
| 2 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 143 | 2015 | normal | black | Dave Allsop |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sudden Death has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sudden Death card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | After a spell with split second resolves (or otherwise leaves the stack), players may again cast spells and activate abilities before the next object on the stack resolves. |
| 2021-03-19 | Casting a spell with split second won’t affect spells and abilities that are already on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the resolution of a triggered ability involves casting a spell, that spell can’t be cast if a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players may turn face-down creatures face up while a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players still get priority while a card with split second is on the stack; their options are just limited to mana abilities and certain special actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | Split second doesn’t stop triggered abilities from triggering, such as that of Chalice of the Void. If one does, its controller puts it on the stack and chooses targets for it, if any. Those abilities will resolve as normal. |
