Martyr of Dusk MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vampire Soldier
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Token generation upon demise makes Martyr of Dusk a value card, bolstering board presence and strategy.
  2. Lifelink ability of the Vampire token consolidates life total while maintaining a threatening board state.
  3. Its comparability with alike cards confirms its versatileness and strength within token-driven tactics.

Text of card

When Martyr of Dusk dies, create a 1/1 white Vampire creature token with lifelink.

"Should I fall, take up our standard and carry on. The Legion must always prevail."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Martyr of Dusk lays the groundwork for potential card advantage on the battlefield. Once it leaves the battlefield, it creates a 1/1 Vampire creature token with lifelink which serves to maintain your board presence and set up for future strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: While Martyr of Dusk itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, the creation of additional creature tokens can be instrumental in strategies that rely on swarm tactics, effectively accelerating your ability to threaten your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Martyr of Dusk is a creature that can’t be played at instant speed, its ability to deploy a token upon death means it can still have an impact on the game during your opponent’s turn, much like an instant would. This allows you to adapt quickly to changes on the battlefield and can surprise opponents who might not factor in the additional lifelinking vampire during combat or their own spell resolution.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Martyr of Dusk does not require you to discard a card, it’s important to consider this mechanic when evaluating cards in your deck. Occupying a slot in your hand without direct board influence or an immediate effect can be disadvantageous in fast-paced games.

Specific Mana Cost: Martyr of Dusk requires one white mana, which makes it exclusive to white or multicolored decks. This limitation can restrict deck-building options and may not fit into strategies that don’t prioritize white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, a 2/1 creature may not represent the best value, particularly when other cards could provide stronger presence or abilities for the same cost. Additionally, in decks that are mana hungry, allocating two mana for a relatively minor impact on the board might be suboptimal.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Martyr of Dusk can smoothly transition into various deck types, particularly favoring strategies that thrive on token generation and life gain.

Combo Potential: The Vampire token produced on its departure can synergize with other vampire-themed cards or any strategy that leverages creature tokens for broader tactics or sacrifice benefits.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that sees aggressive decks frequently, Martyr of Dusk stands as a valuable low-cost creature, providing board presence and potential deterrence against early attacks.


How to beat

Martyr of Dusk presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength doesn’t solely lie in its initial 2/1 body, but in its ability to leave behind a 1/1 white Vampire creature token with lifelink upon death. This one-two punch can deter direct removal, but there are strategies to neutralize its impact.

One way to outplay Martyr of Dusk is through exile effects, ensuring that the creature is gone for good, with no token left to haunt you. Cards like Path to Exile are extremely effective as they remove the threat permanently without triggering the death effect. Another strategy involves utilizing board wipes like Wrath of God, clearing the field without discriminating between creature sizes and leaving the opponent without an army or a life-gaining token to recover.

Considering its vampire lineage, another tactic is to deploy cards that suppress tribal abilities or specific creature types. By cutting off the benefits of synergies among vampire decks, Martyr of Dusk becomes far less intimidating. Taking advantage of these approaches will ensure your opponent’s Martyr of Dusk doesn’t become their path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Reflecting on the multi-faceted roles Martyr of Dusk can play in your MTG endeavors, it’s clear that this card offers intriguing options for players. Whether bolstering the ranks of a vampire-themed deck, adding an edge against aggressive strategies, or serving as fodder for token synergies, it packs a subtle punch. For those crafting a deck centered on incremental life gains and resilient board presence, Martyr of Dusk is a card to consider. Want to explore how to weave it into your deck or find alternative cards with similar attributes? Dive into our resources to expand your strategic horizons and enrich your MTG collection.


Cards like Martyr of Dusk

Martyr of Dusk is a noteworthy presence in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Doomed Traveler that also leave behind a token upon their demise, adding value beyond their presence on the battlefield. But Martyr of Dusk takes this further by providing a 1/1 Vampire token with lifelink—a subtle yet significant upgrade from Doomed Traveler’s simple 1/1 Spirit token without any additional abilities.

Moving to another analogous card, we encounter Haunted Witness, a creature that mirrors the Martyr’s death-triggered ability by creating a 1/1 white Soldier creature token. However, it lacks the lifelink ability bestowed by the Vampire token, rendering Martyr of Dusk a more attractive option for lifegain strategies. A more robust alternative, Garrison Cat, summons a 1/1 Human Soldier token when it dies, yet again missing the lifelink component that sets Martyr of Dusk apart and elevates its potential in sustaining the player’s health total and board state.

In scrutinizing these cards and their respective advantages, Martyr of Dusk proves itself as a solid contender in creature cards that are efficient in both offensive and defensive strategies in Magic: The Gathering, especially for those looking to benefit from passive lifegain abilities.

Doomed Traveler - MTG Card versions
Garrison Cat - MTG Card versions
Doomed Traveler - Innistrad (ISD)
Garrison Cat - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Martyr of Dusk MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, 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 Martyr of Dusk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Martyr of Dusk Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 142015normalblackGreg Staples
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1322015normalblackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Martyr of Dusk has restrictions

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

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