Betrayal of Flesh MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Entwine

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants card advantage by combining creature removal and reanimation in one.
  2. Operates at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise tactics in play.
  3. High mana cost can be a drawback in faster-paced games and decks.

Text of card

Choose one Destroy target creature; or return target creature card from your graveyard to play. Entwine— Sacrifice three lands. (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Betrayal of Flesh offers a unique twist to card advantage. With its Entwine ability, it grants players the option to both eliminate an opponent’s threat and return one of their own creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, essentially impacting two cards with a single play.

Resource Acceleration: As a versatile modal spell, Betrayal of Flesh can act as resource acceleration by effectively bypassing the need to cast two separate spells to attain similar effects. This synergy between removal and creature recursion can save mana and time, important resources in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Betrayal of Flesh at instant speed is a significant advantage. It allows players to react swiftly to an opponent’s move or to unexpected situations, making it highly flexible and adept at navigating complex board states.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Betrayal of Flesh offers a flexible modal effect, it necessitates discarding a card when the Entwine cost is paid. This can put you at a disadvantage by reducing your hand size, potentially surrendering a crucial resource in the process.

Specific Mana Cost: Betrayal of Flesh requires black mana, which may not be easily accessible in multicolored decks that don’t focus on black mana sources. This can make the card less flexible and harder to cast on curve when you need it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base cost of six mana and an additional three for its Entwine feature, this card’s total cost can be quite steep. In fast-paced games, the mana investment required might be too high compared to other removal or creature revival options available.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Betrayal of Flesh offers a dual nature flexibility that can adeptly switch roles from a removal to a reanimation spell, catering to various game situations within a single card slot.

Combo Potential: With the ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard, this card opens doors to numerous combo synergies, setting the stage for powerful plays by returning key combo pieces at critical moments.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Betrayal of Flesh can disrupt opponents’ boards while simultaneously tipping the scales in your favor by resurrecting your own threats, making it a tactical addition to any collection.


How to beat

Betrayal of Flesh is a versatile card in the realm of MTG that allows you to either dispose of a threatening creature or resurrect one from your graveyard. When you’re facing Betrayal of Flesh, timing is critical. One key to overcoming this card is to apply graveyard disruption to invalidate its reanimation capability. Cards like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze can effectively exile target creatures before your opponent has the chance to bring them back.

Another effective tactic is to maintain board control. By keeping the creature count on your opponent’s battlefield to a minimum, you limit the value they can obtain from Betrayal of Flesh. Instant speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be incredibly efficient in responding to Betrayal of Flesh’s entwine casting, where an adversary attempts to utilize both abilities simultaneously and ultimately turns the tides by maximizing your own board presence against theirs.

Ultimately, understanding the pivotal moments to disrupt or diminish the power of Betrayal of Flesh can make the difference between a game won or lost. With strategic graveyard management and creature control, you can render this card far less daunting.


Cards like Betrayal of Flesh

Betrayal of Flesh offers versatility in the vast array of removal and reanimation spells in Magic: The Gathering. Similar to other instant speed options like Terminate, this card can unconditionally remove a creature. Unlike Terminate, however, Betrayal of Flesh has the added flexibility of its Entwine cost, allowing for reanimation of a creature from any graveyard if the additional mana is paid. This dual utility sets it apart from more straightforward removal spells.

Moving on to Zombify, which strictly deals with returning creatures from graveyard to play, we notice it lacks the instant speed and removal capabilities of Betrayal of Flesh. On the other hand, Beacon of Unrest allows for the reanimation of both creatures and artifacts and offers the utility of returning to the library to be used again. While it doesn’t have the creature removal function, its reusable nature can be invaluable in longer, grindy matches.

In essence, while evaluating magic cards akin to Betrayal of Flesh, it’s the combination of immediate creature removal and the potential for offensive surprise by reviving a fallen creature that distinguishes it. These traits ensure Betrayal of Flesh remains a notable card in MTG for its strategic depth and multipurpose functionality.

Terminate - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Unrest - MTG Card versions
Terminate - Planeshift (PLS)
Zombify - Odyssey (ODY)
Beacon of Unrest - Fifth Dawn (5DN)

Cards similar to Betrayal of Flesh by color, type and mana cost

Spinning Darkness - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Decree - MTG Card versions
Murderous Spoils - 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)
Murderous Spoils - Darksteel (DST)
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 Betrayal of Flesh MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Salvat 2005, 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 Betrayal of Flesh and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Betrayal of Flesh Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2006-01-01. Illustrated by Wayne England.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 582003normalblackWayne England
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL A522003normalwhiteWayne England
32006-01-01Hachette UKPHUK 522003normalwhiteWayne England

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Betrayal of Flesh has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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