Tyrant's Scorn MTG Card


Tyrant's Scorn - War of the Spark
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameWar of the Spark
Set codeWAR
Number225
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides a dual-mode flexible response to threats, either by bouncing or destroying creatures in play.
  2. Low cost and instant speed make it a tactical asset, contributing to mana efficiency.
  3. Best fits in decks with blue and black mana, aligning with control strategies.

Text of card

Choose one — • Destroy target creature with mana value 3 or less. • Return target creature to its owner's hand.

"The hero with the magic sword slays the dragon? Not this time." —Nicol Bolas


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tyrant’s Scorn offers strategic depth by providing two modes of interaction, enabling you to adapt to different situations for potential card advantage. You can either bounce a small threat back to its owner’s hand, disrupting their board presence or outright remove a creature with lower cost, paving the way for more favorable board states.

Resource Acceleration: While Tyrant’s Scorn doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, its low cost makes it a nimble addition to your arsenal. It allows you to keep up mana for other plays, hence indirectly contributing to resource flexibility and efficiency throughout the game.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Tyrant’s Scorn means you have the tool to react swiftly to opponent’s moves. It can be a surprise element that disrupts your opponent’s combat strategies or end-of-turn plays, making it a versatile and tactical card to have in your collection.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Tyrant’s Scorn requires both blue and black mana, which can restrict its inclusion to only certain decks that can support this color combination reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, its effect might seem efficient, but when considering the fast-paced nature of some MTG formats, there are spells that deliver similar results for a lower cost or with additional benefits.

Discard Requirement: While Tyrant’s Scorn doesn’t have a discard requirement, it’s important to note that its utility is highly situational, potentially making it a dead card against decks that don’t rely heavily on creatures or that run creatures with toughness greater than three.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tyrant’s Scorn stands out for its flexibility in dealing with threats on the board. Its ability to either destroy a smaller creature or bounce a larger one back to its owner’s hand makes it a strategic fit in decks that prioritize reactive control or nuanced removal strategies.

Combo Potential: The bounce effect of Tyrant’s Scorn can synergize with decks that exploit enter-the-battlefield triggers or those looking to reuse their own creatures’ abilities. This interaction amplifies the card’s potential as both a defensive and proactive tool in various combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggro decks and creature-based synergies prevail, having a card that offers both an elimination option and tempo advantage can be crucial. Tyrant’s Scorn helps to mitigate early-game pressure and maintain board parity, making it a worthy inclusion in the context of current deck-building considerations.


How to beat

Tyrant’s Scorn is a versatile removal spell that can unsettle many Magic: The Gathering strategies. This card allows a player to either destroy a creature with converted mana cost three or less or bounce a creature back to its owner’s hand. To effectively counteract Tyrant’s Scorn, focus on deploying creatures that surpass the three-cost threshold. Such robust creatures are immune to its destruction capability, thus diminishing the card’s impact on your battle plan.

Considering alternatives to manage your plays can also provide an edge. Employing spells that grant indestructibility or hexproof to your creatures can nullify the threat of Tyrant’s Scorn. Additionally, instant-speed cards that can counter spells or provide protection are excellent resources to keep at the ready. These strategies can ensure your key creatures remain on the field to continuously pressure your opponent or to defend against their tactics.

Adaptability and smart deck building are essential. By being mindful of Tyrant’s Scorn during the deck construction phase and having a plan for high-impact cards, players can fortify their positions and navigate around this potent control tool to maintain an advantage during matchups in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic fray of MTG with Tyrant’s Scorn, a card that exemplifies control and flexibility in gameplay. Its dual-mode functionality offers both destruction and disruption, making it a significant asset in the blue-black color pie for players who thrive on instant speed answers. The perfect balance between controlling the board and maintaining tempo, Tyrant’s Scorn can shape the tide of any match in your favor. Whether you’re considering the depths of synergies, combo potentials, or matching the pace of an ever-evolving metagame, this card may warrant a place in your collection. Enhance your deck-building skills and refine your playstyle with insights from seasoned players. Ready to harness the power of Tyrant’s Scorn? Step into our community and unlock new strategies today.


Cards like Tyrant's Scorn

Tyrant’s Scorn is a versatile option in the realm of removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its true competitors are cards like Go for the Throat and Ultimate Price. Much like Tyrant’s Scorn, these cards offer targeted removal at an efficient cost. Unlike Tyrant’s Scorn, Go for the Throat can’t deal with artifact creatures, whereas Ultimate Price is restricted to monocolored targets.

Another card in close relation is Cast Down, a spell that allows players to destroy nonlegendary creatures at a low cost, but it lacks the bounce effect that makes Tyrant’s Scorn unique. Bouncing a creature to its owner’s hand can be a tactical game-changer, presenting a temporary solution to an immediate threat or disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Furthermore, while Cast Down shares the same mana cost, it does not offer the same flexibility found in Tyrant’s Scorn’s dual modes.

The strategic duality of Tyrant’s Scorn places it in a favorable light among two-mana removal spells. It provides players with the ability to manage diverse threats efficiently, ensuring its inclusion in decks aimed at maintaining control in fast-paced games.

Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Ultimate Price - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tyrant's Scorn MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Tyrant's Scorn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tyrant's Scorn has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 If a creature on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.

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