Lord of Tresserhorn MTG Card


Combines substantial board presence and card draw potential, offering an unmatched advantage with proper deck synergy. Efficient mana-to-power ratio provides a strategic edge, accelerating resources when used adeptly in MTG matches. Regeneration ability grants Lord of Tresserhorn exceptional resilience, maintaining its battlefield presence against most threats.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Zombie
Power 10
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Lord of Tresserhorn comes into play, pay 2 life and sacrifice two creatures, and target opponent draws two cards. Effects that prevent or redirect damage cannot be used to counter this loss of life. o B: Regenerate


Cards like Lord of Tresserhorn

Lord of Tresserhorn stands as an intriguing commander option within the MTG landscape. As a 10/4 creature for only four mana, it’s not a typical find in the creature pool. With a strikingly low casting cost for its power level, Lord of Tresserhorn draws parallels to Phyrexian Dreadnought, which boasts similar power and toughness metrics. Nevertheless, Phyrexian Dreadnought demands a sacrifice of creatures with total power 12 or more, while Lord of Tresserhorn requires an additional sacrifice of two creatures and also incurs life loss and card advantage for the opponent.

Another card reminiscent of the Lord’s playstyle is Rakdos the Defiler. Both cards provide substantial power at the potential cost of benefiting your opponent and self-sacrifice. However, Rakdos demands a sacrifice of half your non-Demon creatures each time he attacks, contrasting with the one-time cost upon Lord of Tresserhorn’s entrance to the battlefield. Despite these downsides, decks that harness such cards often build strategies around mitigating or capitalizing on such drawbacks, making Lord of Tresserhorn a unique and viable option for certain MTG deck archetypes.

The value gained from Lord of Tresserhorn, in the right setup, can offset the initial disadvantages you face when bringing this imposing commander into play, marking its distinct niche in MTG’s diverse array of cards.

Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lord of Tresserhorn by color, type and mana cost

Gwendlyn Di Corci - MTG Card versions
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The Rani - MTG Card versions
Don Andres, the Renegade - MTG Card versions
Gwendlyn Di Corci - MTG Card versions
Nightscape Master - MTG Card versions
Marchesa, the Black Rose - MTG Card versions
Obeka, Brute Chronologist - MTG Card versions
Mishra, Artificer Prodigy - MTG Card versions
Fire-Field Ogre - MTG Card versions
Grixis Sojourners - MTG Card versions
Sewn-Eye Drake - MTG Card versions
Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge - MTG Card versions
Kess, Dissident Mage - MTG Card versions
Mairsil, the Pretender - MTG Card versions
Admiral Beckett Brass - MTG Card versions
Nicol Bolas, the Ravager // Nicol Bolas, the Arisen - MTG Card versions
Cecily, Haunted Mage - MTG Card versions
Lynde, Cheerful Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Cormela, Glamour Thief - MTG Card versions
Zevlor, Elturel Exile - MTG Card versions
Saruman, the White Hand - MTG Card versions
The Rani - MTG Card versions
Don Andres, the Renegade - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Lord of Tresserhorn allows for a significant presence on the board by potentially acting as a substantial draw engine. When combined with cards that nullify its drawback or take advantage of sacrificed creatures, you can leverage this for considerable card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration, the card’s low casting cost for its power level can put you ahead. Efficient trading with opponents’ creatures or pressuring life totals can yield strategic resource gains over time.

Instant Speed: While Lord of Tresserhorn is a creature and not an instant, its regeneration ability allows it to unexpectedly resist removal during combat or in response to spells, granting resilience and maintaining battlefield presence much like instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the notable drawbacks of Lord of Tresserhorn is the need to discard two cards upon its successful summoning. This can pose a substantial setback, especially if your strategy relies on maintaining a solid hand of cards, ready to respond to an opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Another restriction that comes with using Lord of Tresserhorn is its very particular mana cost, which demands one black, one blue, and one red mana, in addition to one mana of any color. This can make it a less versatile choice for decks that don’t consistently produce these three colors of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where efficiency is key, the cost of four mana to bring Lord of Tresserhorn onto the battlefield might deter players, especially when considering other creatures with lower mana costs and potent abilities that don’t come with the same set of disadvantages.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lord of Tresserhorn stands out for its ability to adapt to various strategies, commanding a substantial presence with its 10/4 stats. It could serve as a formidable finisher in Commander games, offering a significant threat that opponents must answer.

Combo Potential: This card’s innate abilities pair well with effects that negate its downsides or exploit its entrance on the battlefield. For instance, using Torpor Orb can nullify the drawback of giving cards to your opponents, turning Lord of Tresserhorn into a pure advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where resilience against removal is crucial, this legendary creature’s regeneration ability ensures it remains a persistent threat. Moreover, its mere presence can shape how your rivals allocate their resources, making it a tactically valuable addition to your arsenal.


How to beat

As an iconic figure on the battlefield, Lord of Tresserhorn presents a unique challenge due to its formidable power and toughness stats alongside its relatively low mana cost. However, every Magic player knows that every card has its Achilles heel. In this case, the drawbacks come when casting the card—specifically, the requirement to sacrifice two creatures, pay 2 life, and give your opponent the benefit of drawing two cards. This can be exploited.

To effectively counter Lord of Tresserhorn, one could employ strategies that limit the possibilities for sacrifice or take advantage of the opponent’s momentary weakness post-casting. Using instant speed removal in response to the cast allows you to potentially clear their board. Alternatively, graveyard exile effects can prevent recurring sacrifice fodder that might otherwise fuel the Lord’s entrance to the battlefield. Casting creatures with negative effects upon death can transform the cost of Lord into an even steeper price for your opponent. Cards with the ability to manipulate or leverage life totals can also become key in matches against Lord of Tresserhorn, turning its power into a risky game for its controller. In a game as deep as Magic: The Gathering, even the Lord of Tresserhorn can be brought to its knees with the right strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lord of Tresserhorn MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition, 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 Lord of Tresserhorn and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lord of Tresserhorn Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-06-10AlliancesALL 1121993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
22007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1491997NormalBlackAnson Maddocks

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lord of Tresserhorn has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Since this is a loss of life and not a payment, your life total can be reduced below zero by this.
2004-10-04 When Lord of Tresserhorn enters the battlefield, if you have zero or one other creature on the battlefield, Lord of Tresserhorn itself will be sacrificed as part of its ability’s effect. Regeneration won’t save it. The rest of the effect still happens.