Reaper from the Abyss MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Demon
Abilities Flying,Morbid
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Reaper excels in card advantage and board control with its repeatable removal triggered by creature deaths.
  2. This card’s specific mana needs may challenge multicolor deck consistency but reward mono-black builds.
  3. Integrating Reaper into your MTG collection enhances deck versatility and strategic depth in creature-heavy metas.

Text of card

Flying Morbid — At the beginning of each end step, if a creature died this turn, destroy target non-Demon creature.

"Avacyn has deserted you. I welcome your devotion in her stead."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reaper from the Abyss offers a significant edge in card advantage. Each time a creature dies, its Morbid ability can be triggered, potentially leading to the removal of an opponent’s creature. This not only disrupts the opponent’s board but also offers the potential of a two-for-one exchange, maximizing your own resources while depleting theirs.

Resource Acceleration: While the Reaper from the Abyss itself does not directly produce resources, its control over the battlefield can lead to indirect resource acceleration. By consistently clearing the board of potential threats, it paves the way for more direct attacks and potentially less need for defensive resources.

Instant Speed: The Morbid ability of Reaper from the Abyss can be triggered at instant speed, end of turn or during combat, where it can be most impactful. This flexibility allows you to carefully craft your strategy and act on the most opportune moments during your opponent’s turn, keeping them always on the edge and your position solidified.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In commander and other multiplayer formats, sustaining Morbid to utilize Reaper from the Abyss’s ability might be challenging. Lack of board control can limit the opportunities to activate this potent trigger effect, inadvertently reducing the card’s utility.

Specific Mana Cost: This Demon demands a precise mana assembly of three black symbols out of its six total cost, potentially straining a multi-color deck’s mana base. Players may find themselves unable to summon it at a crucial moment if the color sources are not readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: This card’s six-mana cost can be unwieldy, particularly in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures and spells could be played more efficiently. In high-stakes scenarios, investing in such a high cost without immediate board impact might set a player behind their opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reaper from the Abyss offers diverse gameplay options, seamlessly integrating into decks that thrive on sacrificing creatures or utilizing death triggers for strategic advantage.

Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in combinations, particularly with cards that offer repeatable creature sacrifice, amplifying its Morbid ability to control the battlefield effectively.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to consistently disrupt opponent strategies by removing their key creatures, Reaper from the Abyss remains a formidable presence in metas with creature-heavy decks.


How to beat Reaper from the Abyss

Overcoming the Reaper from the Abyss requires a strategic blend of timing and resource management. As a formidable creature with the Morbid ability, it can be a persistent threat. Key to thwarting this powerful demon is disrupting the Morbid trigger. This ability only activates if another creature died this turn, so minimizing creature losses can hinder the Reaper’s power. Consider using instant-speed removal to bypass your own turn and avoid enabling Morbid. Spells like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can neutralize the Reaper before it has a chance to capitalize on its strength.

Another tactic is to employ graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus. These not only hinder the Reaper from getting value from its own ability but also disrupt numerous graveyard-based strategies. Additionally, countermagic plays a critical role; by countering Reaper from the Abyss upon casting, you can maintain control over the board state. Force of Will or Swan Song are great examples of spells that can keep this threat at bay. With appropriate countermeasures, this daunting creature becomes much less intimidating.

As a last resort, when the Reaper has taken the field, board wipes like Supreme Verdict can help reset the playing field. Remember, it’s about understanding the flow of the game and employing the right answers at the optimal moment to secure victory against strong cards like Reaper from the Abyss.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Reaper from the Abyss is an imposing force in MTG with undeniable charm for players who appreciate a powerful board presence. Leveraging the Morbid ability offers both a tactical edge and a compelling reason to shape your deck with its synergies in mind. If you’ve been swayed by the might of this commanding demon and wish to capitalize on its potential or are seeking strategies to go up against it, there’s much to explore. Delve deeper into card interactions, deck-building philosophy, and get expert insights to refine your strategy. Join our community for comprehensive guides, discussions, and analyses to transform your gameplay and master the intricacies of MTG.


Cards like Reaper from the Abyss

Reaper from the Abyss is a formidable creature card that brings impressive tactical advantages to Magic: The Gathering players who favor the theme of morbid and glorious creature destruction. With a comparison to Dread Cacodemon, which also offers a mass removal effect, Reaper from the Abyss stands out with its recurring ability. While Dread Cacodemon requires a hefty cost and only activates when you cast it from your hand, Reaper’s morbid ability can trigger in every end step, granted a creature died that turn, offering distinct flexibility in disrupting your opponent’s board.

Morkrut Banshee is another card which shares the morbid trigger, yet it pales in comparison to the Reaper’s sweeping potential, affecting only one target. Where Reaper from the Abyss really shines is its versatility; similar to Avatar of Woe, it provides a creature removal ability, yet the Reaper does not necessitate a threshold of creatures in the graveyard to become active, thus proving useful from the moment it enters the battlefield.

When evaluating these comparisons for strategic depth and board impact, Reaper from the Abyss efficiently combines removal power with a sustained presence, positioning it as an invaluable asset for players seeking control through creature dominance.

Dread Cacodemon - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Woe - MTG Card versions
Dread Cacodemon - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Avatar of Woe - Prophecy (PCY)

Cards similar to Reaper from the Abyss by color, type and mana cost

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Necrosavant - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
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Face of Fear - Odyssey (ODY)
Wire Surgeons - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Grave Titan - Fallout (PIP)
Chittering Harvester - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Crossway Troublemakers - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
Anurid Murkdiver - Onslaught (ONS)
Gempalm Polluter - Legions (LGN)
Nefashu - Scourge (SCG)
Twisted Abomination - Scourge (SCG)
Iname, Death Aspect - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Yawgmoth Demon - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ascendant Evincar - Tenth Edition (10E)
Bog Hoodlums - Lorwyn (LRW)
Helldozer - Planechase (HOP)
Geth, Lord of the Vault - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Toxic Nim - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reaper from the Abyss MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Commander 2014, 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 Reaper from the Abyss and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Reaper from the Abyss Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 1122003normalblackMatt Stewart
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1592015normalblackMatt Stewart
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4582015normalblackMatt Stewart

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reaper from the Abyss has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-09-22 The morbid ability is mandatory. If you control the only non-Demon creature when the ability triggers, you must choose it as the target.

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