Volrath the Fallen MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Shapeshifter
Released	2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set name	Nemesis
Set code	NEM
Power	6
Toughness	4
Number	75
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Volrath the Fallen excels in turning discarded creatures into immediate board threats and card advantage.
It facilitates powerful reanimation plays and is a formidable combo piece in the right MTG deck.
To counter Volrath, utilize hand disruption and save removal spells for optimal timing.

Text of card

o1o B, Discard a creature card from your hand: Volrath the Fallen gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the discarded card's converted mana cost.

"I stepped out. I did not step down."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Volrath the Fallen has a unique ability that enables you to discard a creature card to give it +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the discarded card’s converted mana cost. This can lead to significant card advantage as it turns any creature in your hand into a potential threat without expending additional resources from the board.

Resource Acceleration: Through its discard mechanic, Volrath the Fallen can effectively reduce your hand size, which pairs well with abilities that trigger on having a smaller hand or graveyard interaction. It paves the way for reanimation strategies, essentially accelerating your resources by bringing powerful creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Volrath itself doesn’t have an ability that works at instant speed, the card allows for strategic planning with instant speed spells in your deck. Its threat of activation during the combat phase can force opponents to play differently, fearing the potential of a massive power boost during the attack, thereby aligning your instant speed interactions with a carefully curated battle strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Volrath the Fallen’s ability necessitates discarding another creature card which could be a hefty price to pay, particularly when your hand is dwindling or the creatures in question are vital to your strategy on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring three swamp mana to summon, Volrath the Fallen demands a committed investment in black mana sources, potentially restricting deck diversity and making it challenging to smoothly incorporate into multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a summoning cost of six mana in total, Volrath the Fallen comes into play later than many other options, meaning you might face a delay in exerting its powerful presence, while other players may already have developed their board or set up their defenses.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Volrath the Fallen’s ability to discard a creature card to gain power equal to the discarded card’s mana value makes it a flexible powerhouse, capable of adapting to various deck builds and playing strategies.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Volrath can be a key piece in devastating combo plays, such as quickly powering up for a lethal attack or enabling reanimator strategies by getting powerful creatures into the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment that values resilient threats, Volrath’s formidable presence not only influences board states but also forces opponents to address it or risk being overwhelmed by its scaling potential.

How to beat

Volrath the Fallen is a formidable opponent on any MTG battlefield. Its ability to become monstrously powerful by discarding creatures is both a unique threat and a way to potentially bring a swift end to a game. However, every card has its weaknesses, and understanding how to navigate around Volrath’s strengths can be the key to overcoming this powerful foe.

One effective strategy is to limit the card advantage your opponent gains from Volrath the Fallen. Since they rely on having creatures in hand to discard, employing hand disruption techniques can be highly effective. Cards such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can help pick out key creatures from your opponent’s hand before they get the chance to pump up Volrath.

Furthermore, keeping removal spells in reserve until Volrath becomes a genuine threat is a smart play. Once Volrath is boosted, targeted removal or edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature, such as Path to Exile or Liliana’s Triumph, can take care of it, regardless of its increased power. Counter spells can also serve you well by preventing Volrath from ever hitting the field. That said, always be mindful of potential backup plans your opponent might have and manage your resources accordingly.

Cards like Volrath the Fallen

Volrath the Fallen is an intriguing figure within the dominion of Magic: The Gathering creature cards. As a black-aligned character, Volrath boasts the ability to become overwhelmingly powerful with its unique discard ability. When examining cards akin to Volrath, one might look at the phyrexian giant Sheoldred, Whispering One. Sheoldred offers a persistent form of control by forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures while simultaneously reclaiming creatures from your graveyard each turn.

In contrast to Sheoldred’s symmetrical graveyard manipulation, Volrath capitalizes on player’s hand content, allowing for a substantial power boost that can turn the tide of the game. Another comparable card is the Avatar of Woe, which, like Volrath, thrives in an environment rich in creature death, and offers a constant threat with its ability to destroy creatures without tapping.

While both Sheoldred and the Avatar of Woe operate differently from Volrath, they share the capability to put immense pressure on the opponent in long games. Nevertheless, the unique discard-to-boost mechanic of Volrath the Fallen sets it apart not only as a mightily scalable threat but also as a way to tailor one’s graveyard for strategic advantages.

Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Volrath the Fallen by color, type and mana cost

Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions

Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions

Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Volrath the Fallen MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Volrath the Fallen and other MTG cards: