Repentant Vampire MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Vampire
Abilities	Flying,Threshold
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	157
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Key Takeaways

The Vampire offers a versatile threat, flipping to a powerful flyer, providing a dynamic shift in gameplay.
Transforms at instant speed, enabling adjustments to combat and strategic surprise against opponents.
Demands graveyard strategy and careful mana management, adding depth to gameplay and deck building.

Text of card

Flying Whenever a creature dealt damage by Repentant Vampire this turn is put into a graveyard, put a +1/+1 counter on Repentant Vampire. Threshold Repentant Vampire is white and has "oc T: Destroy target black creature."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Repentant Vampire is known for its unique ability to flip into a powerful flyer, providing players with a versatile threat that can shift the tide of the game. This transforms the battlefield presence, essentially offering two creatures in one card, providing significant card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Repentant Vampire itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its transformation condition can be strategically activated by accelerating the depletion of the opponent’s resources, indirectly benefiting the player by crippling the opposition’s board state.

Instant Speed: The capability to transform at instant speed makes Repentant Vampire a formidable card. It can switch forms in response to opponent’s actions, allowing savvy players to adapt to changing circumstances with an unexpected blocker or attacker, thus maximizing its potential each turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Repentant Vampire demands certain conditions to unleash its potential. Specifically, you’re tasked with morphing your graveyard into a haven for discarded cards, which could backfire particularly when your hand is already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card also comes with a strict mana cost, anchored in black mana. This restriction means that you’re pigeonholed into ensuring a hefty presence of black mana resources or a finely-tuned mana base to reliably deploy this vampire onto the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When measured against the array of options available within the game, the mana investment for Repentant Vampire might appear steep. This is especially pronounced in a format teeming with efficient creatures and spells, which could potentially offer more bang for your mana buck right from the early turns of the match.

Reasons to Include Repentant Vampire in Your Collection

Versatility: Repentant Vampire offers flexibility in deck building, fitting seamlessly into both aggressive and control strategies. Its ability to transform based on game conditions means it can adapt to various situations, enhancing its value in a diverse deck.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with spells and abilities that manipulate the number of creatures in graveyards, creating opportunities for strategic plays and unexpected combos, especially in black-centric decks that focus on graveyard mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rife with creature-based strategies, Repentant Vampire can be a game-changer. Its capacity to control the board and transition into a flying threat makes it a relevant choice for players looking to challenge the prevalent meta.

How to beat

Confronted with the challenge of Repentant Vampire, players need to craft strategies that can circumvent its transformative ability. This engaging creature card transforms when conditions of the game meet its threshold, making it a dynamic and impactful presence on the battlefield. Vigilance in keeping graveyard populations low is key in stifling the Vampire’s transformation. Without the requisite number of creatures in graveyards, it remains in its initial, more manageable state.

Strategic removal plays are essential. Employing spells that exile creatures rather than simply destroying them can help to keep graveyards clear and the Repentant Vampire’s strength in check. Furthermore, lean on enchantments and artifacts that inhibit abilities or prevent creatures from hitting the graveyard in the first place. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void are prime examples of how to effectively counteract the transformation and maintain control over the game state.

Beating Repentant Vampire requires foresight and tactical execution. By limiting graveyard fodder and interfering with the mechanism that fuels its change, players can contain this daunting threat and proceed to gain an advantage over their opponent.

Cards like Repentant Vampire

The allure of the Repentant Vampire card lies in its transformational ability, a unique feature that sets it apart in the realm of Magic: The Gathering creatures. It bears similarities to cards like Bloodcrazed Paladin, which also gains strength from a high number of creatures in the graveyard, yet it doesn’t morph like the Repentant Vampire. Furthermore, we see a resemblance with Morbid Curiosity in lore and concept. This vampire taps into a morbid mechanic triggered by death, although it lacks the dynamic shape-shifting intrinsic to Repentant Vampire’s design.

Another comparable card is the classic Sengir Vampire, heralded for its straightforward vampiric potency. It grows stronger as it dispatches other creatures but doesn’t offer the versatility of changing card types. The Repentant Vampire’s ability to switch from a dark, sinister creature to a protective, cleric figure upon fulfilling its morbid condition is a distinctive trait that isn’t commonly observed in other similar MTG cards.

Ultimately, the Repentant Vampire stands out within its category, offering a flexible role in gameplay that can adapt to the evolving state of the battlefield, a strategic advantage for players looking to maneuver between offensive and defensive positions fluidly. Its duality is a unique treasure in players’ decks, combining the themes of redemption and transformation in one versatile card.

Cards similar to Repentant Vampire by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Plaguelord - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Repentant Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Repentant Vampire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Repentant Vampire has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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