Death Grasp MTG Card


Death Grasp delivers dual benefits by dealing damage and providing life gain, key for board control. Mana flexibility allows for adaptability, but the card’s specific mana needs could limit its use. In a suitable meta, Death Grasp’s versatile role in decks makes it a potentially game-changing inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Death Grasp deals X damage to target creature or player. You gain X life.

Yawgmoth's greatest joy came from watching one hero defeat another.


Cards like Death Grasp

Death Grasp stands as a powerful spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a duality of dealing damage while simultaneously gaining life. Its closest counterpart is perhaps Vindicate, which also allows players to remove threats, albeit without the life-gain component. Death Grasp offers flexibility by targeting creatures or players, and its efficiency scales with the amount of mana invested into it.

Exsanguinate is another card that shares the life siphoning theme. It too drains life from opponents, but it affects all opponents rather than a single target. Exsanguinate lacks the direct damage capability, focusing solely on life gain and its potent impact in multiplayer formats. Debt to the Deathless carries forward this wide-reaching impact, doubling down on the health-draining effect at a greater mana commitment, and rewarding the player more for each additional mana spent than what Death Grasp provides.

Assessing these options, Death Grasp emerges as a versatile tool. Its ability to target creatures or players makes it a multifaceted option for both control strategies and a finisher in games, solidifying its presence amidst similar spells in Magic: The Gathering.

Vindicate - MTG Card versions
Exsanguinate - MTG Card versions
Debt to the Deathless - MTG Card versions
Vindicate - MTG Card versions
Exsanguinate - MTG Card versions
Debt to the Deathless - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Death Grasp by color, type and mana cost

Gerrard's Verdict - MTG Card versions
Castigate - MTG Card versions
Damn - MTG Card versions
Blot Out the Sky - MTG Card versions
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Shrouded Shepherd // Cleave Shadows - MTG Card versions
Soul Search - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Verdict - MTG Card versions
Castigate - MTG Card versions
Damn - MTG Card versions
Blot Out the Sky - MTG Card versions
Can't Stay Away - MTG Card versions
Conjurer's Ban - MTG Card versions
Humiliate - MTG Card versions
Rite of Oblivion - MTG Card versions
Shadow Summoning - MTG Card versions
Shrouded Shepherd // Cleave Shadows - MTG Card versions
Soul Search - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Death Grasp. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Deadguy AleDeadguy Ale PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Death Grasp enables a significant shift in the board state by not only dealing damage to a creature or opponent but also allowing you to gain that amount of life. This dual ability grants a two-for-one benefit, leading to a potential swing in both life totals and battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly serving as a resource acceleration tool, the flexibility in mana investment means Death Grasp can be adapted to your available resources each turn. It’s especially powerful when you have access to surplus mana, letting you maximize the impact of each cast.

Instant Speed: Although Death Grasp operates at sorcery speed, its strategic impact justifies the setup. Timing the cast when your opponent is least prepared can disrupt their game plan significantly, functioning similarly to how instant speed responses upset opponent strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Death Grasp does not have a discard requirement, managing resources is essential since casting this spell means less mana for other potential plays during your turn or your opponent’s.

Specific Mana Cost: Death Grasp demands a particular combination of mana types which could be challenging in multicolored decks that are not focused on black and white mana, potentially causing it to be a dead card in hand until the necessary resources are available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its X cost nature, to make Death Grasp impactful, significant mana investment is required. This can be a setback in faster-paced games where efficient use of mana can make or break the control over the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Death Grasp shines as a flexible card capable of fitting into various deck archetypes. This spell serves well in both aggressive and control schemes, offering removal and life gain that can be pivotal at any stage of the game.

Combo Potential: With its scalable X cost, Death Grasp’s potential for combos is significant. It seamlessly integrates into strategies that leverage life gain or benefit from noncreature spells, making it a worthy consideration for synergistic decks.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on creature-based strategies, Death Grasp earns its place as a valuable tool for tipping the scales. Its dual functionality can swing games by removing key threats while maintaining your life total, ensuring you stay ahead in the race for board dominance.


How to beat

Combatting Death Grasp in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic foresight and an understanding of life gain and loss dynamics. This versatile spell not only deals damage but also translates that damage into life for the caster, making it a double-edged sword in matches. To mitigate its impact, incorporating life gain prevention tools or damage redirection mechanisms can be crucial. Cards like Tainted Remedy can turn the tide, transforming any life gain moves by your opponent into life loss instead. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed removal or counter spells when your opponent taps out for a big Death Grasp can keep you ahead. Prioritize keeping mana available for such responses when you sense a significant Death Grasp is imminent.

Shielding yourself with hexproof can also be a valuable countermeasure, as it prevents Death Grasp from targeting you. Cards like Leyline of Sanctity reinforce your defenses, ensuring direct spell strategies find no foothold. Another effective strategy lies in aggressive early plays to pressure mana resources, limiting the spell’s potency or delaying its casting. In essence, by disrupting your opponent’s strategy, preserving your life total, and utilizing strategic counters, you can consistently overcome the challenges posed by Death Grasp on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Death Grasp is a noteworthy card for any MTG player looking to gain an advantage in both their life total and board state. Its ability to adapt to the flow of mana makes it a strategic addition to many decks. Whether you’re chipping away at your opponent’s defenses or seeking a significant late-game swing, this card ensures you’re always in the game. To understand how to maximize Death Grasp’s potential or counteract it effectively in play, dive deeper into our insights and strategies. Embrace the power of this versatile spell and secure your victories with informed plays and smart deck building. Keep evolving your collection and tactics with us and elevate your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Death Grasp MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Death Grasp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Death Grasp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2015-11-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-06-04ApocalypseAPC 951997NormalBlackEric Peterson
22013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 322003NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
32013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1832003NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2492015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
52015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2152015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Death Grasp has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal