Killing Wave MTG Card


Forces opponents to choose between life points or creature sacrifice, creating potential card advantage. Actionable during different phases for tactical gains, resembling instant speed effects. Presents a significant threat in controlling board states and swinging late-game standoffs.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

For each creature, its controller sacrifices it unless he or she pays X life.

"I come looking for demons and I find a plane full of angels. I hate angels." —Liliana Vess


Cards like Killing Wave

Killing Wave offers a unique twist in the realm of control spells within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of functionality are spells like Phyrexian Scriptures and Languish, which also serve to clear the battlefield. Phyrexian Scriptures provides the element of delayed mass removal, while Languish gives creatures a static decrease in power, potentially sweeping away those with less resilience. However, neither directly mirrors Killing Wave’s ultimatum to players: pay life or sacrifice your creatures.

Another comparable card is Damnation, a classic spell known for its straightforward approach in wiping the board clean of creatures. Unlike Killing Wave, Damnation leaves no choice for players, removing creatures without any chance for redemption. In stark contrast, Killing Wave allows players to strategize and weigh their life total against the value of their creatures on the battlefield.

To sum up, Killing Wave adds a layer of psychological play and choice that is not often found in other mass removal spells. It shines in MTG decks that are built around life management or those that can capitalize on forcing difficult decisions onto an opponent, standing apart from the more clear-cut board sweepers in the game.

Phyrexian Scriptures - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Scriptures - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Killing Wave by color, type and mana cost

Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions
Raven's Crime - MTG Card versions
Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Call to the Netherworld - MTG Card versions
Raven's Crime - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Killing Wave offers a distinctive form of leverage in MTG by pressuring opponents to make critical decisions potentially leading to card advantage. As opponents weigh the cost of life against keeping their creatures, you may find yourself gaining an edge as they part with valuable board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct accelerator, Killing Wave can indirectly influence your resource management. By potentially clearing the board of opponents’ creatures, you pave the way for your subsequent plays without facing significant resistance, granting a tempo boost in your favor.

Instant Speed: While Killing Wave operates at sorcery speed, its strategic implementation can simulate the impact of an instant. Casting it pre-combat or post-main phase can corner your opponent into tough choices during a phase where they would prefer not to commit resources or life, capturing the essence of instant-speed play through timing and psychological advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Killing Wave demands the sacrifice of creatures instead of discarding, which can heavily impact board presence. In late-game scenarios, this could tilt the scales unfavorably if you are unable to pay life to save key creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement of both black mana and generic mana, Killing Wave might not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that don’t heavily focus on black mana resources, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Killing Wave’s effectiveness increases with more mana invested, but this means setting aside a substantial amount of mana that could otherwise be used for playing creatures or multitasking with other spells. This can result in a loss of momentum and missed opportunities for strategic plays.


Reasons to Include Killing Wave in Your Collection

Versatility: Killing Wave offers flexibility in both aggressive and control strategies, allowing you to manipulate life totals and force difficult decisions on the opponent.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that thrive on life loss or sacrifice effects, amplifying the power of cards with death triggers or life-dependent abilities.

Meta-Relevance: As games often hinge on crucial board states, Killing Wave can act as a potential game-changer against creature-heavy decks or when late-game standoffs occur.


How to beat

Killing Wave is a unique spell in the world of MTG that forces a crucial decision upon players – sacrifice creatures or pay life. The dynamic nature of this card can dramatically alter the state of the board, pressuring your life total if you wish to keep your creatures alive. Understanding how to navigate around this spell is key to minimizing its impact on your game strategy.

One effective method to counter Killing Wave is by utilizing creature indestructibility. Cards that grant your creatures indestructibility for a turn can negate the sacrifice effect, rendering Killing Wave much less potent. Additionally, playing with a low creature count or creature-less control decks can inherently sidestep the repercussions as there are fewer targets for the forced sacrifice.

Leveraging life gain tactics can also provide a buffer to pay life without severe consequences. This approach allows you to maintain a presence on the board while using your life as a resource. By planning for such circumstances and applying these strategies, you stand a better chance at overcoming the disruptive force of Killing Wave and maintaining control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the battlefield in MTG often means understanding the subtle interplay of risk and reward. Killing Wave embodies this by challenging players to evaluate each creature’s worth against the precious resource of life points. Whether you enjoy crafting potent control decks or wish to add a psychological twist to your aggressive build, this card can add depth to your gameplay. With a knack for creating pivotal moments and turning the tides, Killing Wave finds a place in collections that appreciate strategic complexity. Step into the arena armed with knowledge and finesse—explore more ways to optimize your deck with Killing Wave and dominate the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Killing Wave MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Avacyn Restored, 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 Killing Wave and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Killing Wave Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2012-05-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 443192003NormalBlackMichael Komarck
22012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 1112003NormalBlackSteve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Killing Wave has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-05-01 A player may choose to pay life for some creatures and sacrifice the rest. It’s not an all-or-nothing decision.
2012-05-01 First, the active player chooses whether to pay X life for each creature they control. Then each other player in turn order chooses for their creatures. Then each player pays life and sacrifices creatures at the same time. Players will know the decisions of players who chose before them.
2012-05-01 If you can’t sacrifice a creature (perhaps because of Sigarda, Host of Herons), you can choose not to pay life and nothing will happen.
2012-05-01 You can’t pay more life than you have.