Body Count MTG Card


Body Count provides card advantage by allowing multiple draws correlating with creature deaths per turn. Flexible as an instant, it can be cast during the opponent’s turn, tailoring to the game’s flow. It requires tactical hand management, as its activation necessitates the discard of another card.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Spectacle

Text of card

Spectacle (You may cast this spell for its spectacle cost rather than its mana cost if an opponent lost life this turn.) Draw a card for each creature that died under your control this turn.

"Your friends stayed quiet, and look what happened to them. You feeling a little more talkative yet?"


Cards like Body Count

Body Count is a unique inclusion in Magic: The Gathering’s library of spells that manipulate the graveyard. It’s somewhat akin to cards like Morbid Plunder which allows for the return of creature cards from the graveyard to the hand. Morbid Plunder, however, doesn’t depend on the number of creature deaths in a turn, instead offering a fixed benefit.

Gravepurge is another card that has a similarity in themes, letting players choose any number of creature cards from their graveyard and place them on top of their library. Though it does not directly return them to the hand like Body Count, it does gurantee future card draw based on graveyard contents. Conversely, Body Count’s strength relies on the events in the turn, potentially bringing back multiple creature cards instantly if the conditions are right.

Assessing value and function, Body Count has a conditional strength that can turn the tides after a bout of creature losses. Its potential in decks that can control or predict creature demise is substantial, hence it stands out among MTG cards focusing on graveyard resource management.

Morbid Plunder - MTG Card versions
Gravepurge - MTG Card versions
Morbid Plunder - MTG Card versions
Gravepurge - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Body Count by color, type and mana cost

Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions
Necrobite - MTG Card versions
Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions
Necrobite - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Body Count from MTG offers significant card advantage by potentially enabling a player to draw multiple cards, depending on the number of creatures that have died during the turn.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, the card can accelerate a player’s resources indirectly by stacking the graveyard with creatures, which can later be utilized by other cards that thrive off graveyard synergy.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Body Count can be cast during virtually any phase of your opponent’s turn, giving you the flexibility to optimize your strategy and adapt to the fluid dynamics of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limitation of Body Count is its discard condition. Activating its ability usually means parting with another card in your hand, potentially setting you back in terms of card advantage and strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: It has a mana cost that requires black mana, making it exclusive to decks running that color. This specificity can restrict its versatility and necessitate a particular mana base, potentially complicating deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost set at a level that could be deemed steep for its corresponding effect, Body Count might not always provide the most cost-effective solution. Players often weigh it against other options that could offer similar benefits for less mana investment.


Reasons to Include Body Count Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Body Count is noteworthy for its flexible utility in a multitude of deck builds. Its mechanic, focusing on creature death to draw cards, ensures it can be a valuable piece in strategies that revolve around sacrificing creatures or controlling the board.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with decks that have recurring or death-triggered effects. Its ability to capitalize on creatures’ demise can seamlessly feed into combos that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies are commonplace, Body Count’s draw mechanism can provide ongoing card advantage. This can be particularly potent against aggressive decks, turning your opponents’ advances into opportunities for you to gain resources.


How to beat

Body Count, in the world of Magic: The Gathering, presents itself as a challenge for players seeking to maintain a strong presence on the battlefield. This card has the potential to disrupt game plans, particularly in match-ups where creature-based strategies are dominant. To navigate around the complications that Body Count can introduce, players should consider diversifying their deck with non-creature spells that maintain board control or provide card advantage.

Adapting to Body Count also means valuing each creature you play and timing their deployment to avoid giving your opponent opportunities to capitalize on its effects. Alternatively, incorporating effects that grant indestructibility or using cards that can counteract sorceries could also help mitigate the impact of Body Count on your strategy. Overall, adjusting your playstyle and constructing your deck with Body Count in mind will greatly increase your resilience against this potential obstacle and keep your tactical options open.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on your MTG journey with a card like Body Count adds a nuanced edge to your gameplay. This card’s innate ability to expand your hand by harnessing the demise of creatures provides strategic depth and potential card advantage. Whether you’re refining a grave-centric strategy or defending against creature-heavy decks, understanding and utilizing Body Count effectively can make all the difference. Dive deeper into the strategic implications and learn how to leverage Body Count’s unique mechanics to enhance your game plan. Explore various deck synergies and become adept at turning losses into gains with each match you play. Start mastering your deck’s potential today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Body Count MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and New Capenna 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 Body Count and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Body Count Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Vladimir Krisetskiy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 998932015NormalBlackVladimir Krisetskiy
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 342015NormalBlackVladimir Krisetskiy
32022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 1352015NormalBlackVladimir Krisetskiy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Body Count has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal