Guiltfeeder MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Horror
Abilities Fear
Power 0
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Guiltfeeder can shift game dynamics profoundly, punishing opponents for stocked graveyards.
  2. Its specific mana requirement makes it less versatile in multi-colored decks.
  3. Guiltfeeder shines in meta-games dominated by control decks and graveyard strategies.

Text of card

Guiltfeeder can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures. Whenever Guiltfeeder attacks and isn't blocked, defending player loses 1 life for each card in his or her graveyard.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Guiltfeeder can potentially deal significant damage to an opponent while guiding you to maintain card superiority. Its ability to hit an opponent’s life points based on the number of cards in their graveyard can quickly turn the tide of a game, putting you in a favorable position.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting your mana resources, Guiltfeeder can pressure your opponent and accelerate the game’s pace to your advantage. Forcing your opponent to deal with it swiftly, Guiltfeeder often requires specific answers that can deplete their resources and give you the strategic upper hand.

Instant Speed: While Guiltfeeder itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its fear ability allows it to be unblockable by most creatures, giving you a semblance of instant impact by ensuring damage gets through during your turn. This creates immediate pressure and can deter opponents from using instants and sorceries that would put more cards in their graveyard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Guiltfeeder may not seem like it requires a discard, but it indeed forces players to strategize around their hand. To reap the full benefit of its attack ability, you often need to manipulate your opponent’s graveyard, which can necessitate specific setup or discarding of cards to tailor their graveyard composition.

Specific Mana Cost: With a precise mana cost that includes two black mana symbols, Guiltfeeder can be restrictive for multi-colored decks. This can be particularly cumbersome in formats where mana bases are stretched to accommodate a wide variety of spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana is a significant investment in a game like Magic the Gathering. For such a cost, players expect a substantial impact immediately upon playing a card. While Guiltfeeder can be a game-ending threat, it requires waiting until the next turn to attack, granting opponents a window to respond or remove it from the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Guiltfeeder is a card that can easily adapt to a variety of deck styles, particularly those revolving around graveyard mechanics or attacking strategies. Its capability to deal damage without actually dealing combat damage adds a layer of utility, making it a solid addition for diversifying your offensive options.

Combo Potential: With this card, the synergy possibilities are vast. It has the ability to work in tandem with cards that manipulate opponents’ graveyards, increasing the potential damage exponentially, or simply serve as a significant threat that demands an answer.

Meta-Relevance: In games where control decks are abundant, Guiltfeeder thrives. It punishes players with well-stocked graveyards and can serve as a recursive threat that must be dealt with, potentially altering the flow of the game in your favor.


How to beat

Guiltfeeder is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that has the potential to become a formidable threat. Its ability to cause loss of life equal to the number of cards in an opponent’s graveyard can swiftly tilt the scales. To counteract this, one strategy is to minimize the number of cards in your graveyard. Employing graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt can keep your graveyard clean and Guiltfeeder’s impact low.

Another approach is to deploy creatures with reach or flying to block Guiltfeeder effectively, as it can’t be blocked except by Walls and flying creatures. Ensnaring creatures such as Wall of Glare could be particularly effective. Additionally, spells that can exile creatures or provide protection, like Swords to Plowshares or Mother of Runes, can also serve as solid defenses against Guiltfeeder’s menacing attacks. By anticipating your opponent’s moves and strategically planning your defenses, you can secure an upper hand in the battle against this dread-inducing creature.

As a MTG player, it’s important to adapt to evolving threats on the battlefield. With the right mix of graveyard management and defensive tactics, you can turn the tide against Guiltfeeder and maintain the momentum in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the dance of offense and defense in MTG hinges greatly on choosing the right cards. Guiltfeeder, with its cunning ability to exploit opponent’s graveyards, is a nuanced addition to any deck that banks on graveyard strategies. It requires both foresight and finesse to wield effectively, making it an interesting choice for players who enjoy a more strategic approach to the game. If you’re intrigued by the depth Guiltfeeder brings to the table, seize the opportunity to further your knowledge and strategy. Explore more hidden gems and tactical insights with us—your journey towards becoming a more adept player is just one click away.


Cards like Guiltfeeder

Guiltfeeder is a unique creature card that has carved out its niche in MTG. It echoes the dire consequences of opponents’ cards in their graveyard, akin to the infamous Nighthowler. Both cards capitalize on the graveyard’s size, but Guiltfeeder offers a direct life loss mechanic compared to Nighthowler’s power and toughness boost. The former can be a game-ender with its potential for substantial direct damage.

Moving along, we can also align Guiltfeeder with Lhurgoyf, another card that benefits from heavy graveyards, with its power and toughness directly proportional to the number of creature cards in all graveyards. Guiltfeeder stands out with its potent ability to remain unblocked if defending player has three or more cards in the graveyard – an advantage that can turn the tides in heated matches.

Considering the strategic depth and threat Guiltfeeder brings to the table, it solidifies its position in the pantheon of graveyard-dependent creatures. It’s not merely about accumulating power; it’s about leveraging the often-overlooked graveyard to tip the scales in your favor in the complex landscape of MTG.

Nighthowler - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Nighthowler - Theros Promos (PTHS)
Lhurgoyf - Ice Age (ICE)

Cards similar to Guiltfeeder by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - Tempest (TMP)
Entropic Specter - Exodus (EXO)
Predatory Nightstalker - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Fallen Angel - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Stone Catapult - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sengir Vampire - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Hollow Dogs - Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
Grotesque Hybrid - Torment (TOR)
Earwig Squad - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Indulgent Tormentor - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sootfeather Flock - Legions (LGN)
Zombie Cutthroat - Scourge (SCG)
Gluttonous Zombie - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Vermiculos - Mirrodin (MRD)
Woebearer - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Wei Elite Companions - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
Malakir Bloodwitch - Zendikar (ZEN)
Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)
Shriekmaw - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guiltfeeder MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Guiltfeeder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guiltfeeder Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-05-27JudgmentJUD 681997normalblackMark Tedin
22003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 pk68sb2003normalgoldMark Tedin
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1122015normalblackMark Tedin
42022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7562015normalblackHelge C. Balzer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guiltfeeder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-04-15 An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn't blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step.

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