Sinister Concoction MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Released | 2016-04-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadows over Innistrad |
| Set code | SOI |
| Number | 135 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zack Stella |
Key Takeaways
- Provides efficient creature removal with the added benefit of milling, fueling graveyard-based strategies.
- Presents a cost-effective solution with a single black mana activation that can significantly influence the game’s tempo.
- Offers flexibility and control with instant-speed activation, allowing for decisive plays during any turn.
Text of card
, Pay 1 life, Put the top card of your library into your graveyard, Discard a card, Sacrifice Sinister Concoction: Destroy target creature.
An old family recipe for an old family grudge.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sinister Concoction card provides a strategic edge by offering a single mana solution to eliminate a creature while also milling the top card of your library. This enables a setup for potential graveyard strategies and can turn the milling action into an advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sinister Concoction doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, its low-cost activation conserves resources, allowing players to utilize mana more efficiently. In a game where tempo can be pivotal, the single black mana activation cost can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Sinister Concoction at instant speed is a significant pro. It allows players to navigate around opponents’ threats, disrupt their timing, and make crucial plays during their turn. This flexibility grants control over the flow of the game and makes Sinister Concoction a versatile tool in many scenarios.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sinister Concoction presents a challenge by demanding you discard a card to activate its ability. For players who are managing a tight grip on their hand, this could potentially lead to a setback, especially if you are forced to part with a crucial card in your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of Sinister Concoction is locked into black mana, which can restrict its inclusion in multi-colored decks that may not have a consistent source of black mana or want to avoid the risk of color screw.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the initial cost to play Sinister Concoction is low, the overall investment required to utilize its destructive capability may be relatively high compared to other removal options. The total amount of mana and resources spent could be viewed as inefficient when you consider alternative cards that could achieve similar results without the additional cost of discarding a card.
Reasons to Include Sinister Concoction in Your Collection
Versatility: Sinister Concoction boasts a flexible removal option, easily sliding into any deck with a black mana base. Its ability to take out key threats at a low cost makes it a utility card worthy of consideration.
Combo Potential: Its self-mill feature can set up graveyard strategies, enabling powerful plays with reanimation-themed decks or fueling delirium and threshold mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where indomitable creatures rule the battlefield, this card’s ability to bypass indestructible defenses keeps your strategies competitive and disrupts your opponent’s gameplan.
How to beat
Sinister Concoction is a versatile black enchantment in the realm of Magic the Gathering that gives players the power to destroy any creature at the expense of some personal sacrifice. With the ability to discard a card, pay life, mill a card, and pay a single black mana, it can seem quite daunting to face on the battlefield. The key to overcoming Sinister Concoction lies in its activation cost. Efficiently managing your resources becomes crucial, as losing cards and life can be a setback.
Strategically, one effective method to surpass this hurdle is utilizing graveyard synergies, turning the cost into an advantage. Cards geared towards reanimation strategies, such as Unearth and cards with flashback like Faithless Looting, make discarding a card less painful by offering a path back to the field or a second use. Cards that thrive in the graveyard, like Dredge cards, benefit from the self-milling aspect of Sinister Concoction.
In conclusion, while Sinister Concoction can be a threatening presence on the battlefield, a clever approach to resource management and synergizing with graveyard mechanics can transform its cost into your own strategic gain, ensuring that you stay one step ahead in the game.
Cards like Sinister Concoction
Sinister Concoction offers a unique blend of abilities for players in Magic: The Gathering. This black enchantment card allows for targeted creature removal at a low mana cost, but with a notable downside of discarding a card, paying life, and putting the top card of your library into your graveyard. It has parallels with cards like Murder, which also allows for elimination of a creature. However, unlike Murder, Sinister Concoction adds the dimension of self-mill and life payment.
Comparatively, Fatal Push is another efficient removal spell that can target smaller creatures, with its potential reach extended by triggering revolt. It’s instantaneous and less resource-intensive since there’s no additional cost beyond the mana. Conversely, while cards like Go for the Throat exclude nonartifact creatures, Sinister Concoction’s broader targeting scope includes any creature, providing more utility in diverse game situations.
These comparisons show that Sinister Concoction may be a preferable choice over similar cards in decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies, or when encountering indestructible creatures since it forces sacrifice rather than damage or destruction.
Cards similar to Sinister Concoction by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sinister Concoction MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Sinister Concoction and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sinister Concoction has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sinister Concoction card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | You may pay Sinister Concoction’s costs in any order. However, once you’ve decided to activate the ability and you’ve seen the top card of your library, you can’t change your mind. |
