Murderous Cut MTG Card


Murderous Cut offers cost-efficient creature removal by utilizing cards in the graveyard. Instant speed removal with Murderous Cut disrupts opponents’ strategies effectively. Constraints include its reliance on graveyard resources and specific mana color.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Delve

Text of card

Delve (Each card you exile from your graveyard while casting this spell pays for .) Destroy target creature.


Cards like Murderous Cut

Murderous Cut is an established staple in the MTG world for its efficient removal ability. Players often compare it to other destruction spells like Doom Blade, as both swiftly dispatch creatures. Where Murderous Cut differs is in its delve mechanic, allowing players to use cards from their graveyard to pay the mana cost, making it potentially much cheaper to cast than Doom Blade, which has a strict two mana requirement.

An equally notable comparison is with the card Hero’s Downfall, which also destroys creatures but has the added utility of being able to target planeswalkers as well. Although it’s more versatile, it doesn’t offer the cost reduction that makes Murderous Cut favourable in decks that fill the graveyard quickly. Similarly, Go for the Throat is effective against non-artifact creatures but lacks the dynamism that delve provides. Nevertheless, Go for the Throat does not run the risk of being less effective as the graveyard depletes.

When discussing efficiency and flexibility, Murderous Cut finds its place among the top creature removal spells. With its unique cost reduction ability, it continues to be a powerful choice for players aiming to optimize their gameplay strategies in MTG.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Hero's Downfall - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Murderous Cut by color, type and mana cost

Broken Visage - MTG Card versions
Contagion - MTG Card versions
Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Hatred - MTG Card versions
Dark Triumph - MTG Card versions
Annihilate - MTG Card versions
Waste Away - MTG Card versions
Consume the Meek - MTG Card versions
Stinging Study - MTG Card versions
Cruel Revival - MTG Card versions
Call for Blood - MTG Card versions
Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions
Moonlight Bargain - MTG Card versions
Treacherous Urge - MTG Card versions
Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Whip - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Flesh to Dust - MTG Card versions
Unmake the Graves - MTG Card versions
Throttle - MTG Card versions
Broken Visage - MTG Card versions
Contagion - MTG Card versions
Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Hatred - MTG Card versions
Dark Triumph - MTG Card versions
Annihilate - MTG Card versions
Waste Away - MTG Card versions
Consume the Meek - MTG Card versions
Stinging Study - MTG Card versions
Cruel Revival - MTG Card versions
Call for Blood - MTG Card versions
Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions
Moonlight Bargain - MTG Card versions
Treacherous Urge - MTG Card versions
Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Whip - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Flesh to Dust - MTG Card versions
Unmake the Graves - MTG Card versions
Throttle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Beanstalk ControlBeanstalk Control LegacyBeanstalk ControlLegacy League 2024-05-02
Dimir MillDimir Mill ModernMillModern Qualifier 2024-05-01
Mono-Black ScamMono-Black Scam LegacyMono-Black ScamLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-05
NinjasNinjas LegacyNinjasLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-08
WBRGWBRG LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-08
Golgari ScamGolgari Scam LegacyGolgari ScamLegacy League 2024-05-05
Sultai ScamSultai Scam LegacySultai ScamLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-01
StiflenoughtStiflenought LegacyStiflenoughtLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-04 (1)
BUG BeanstalkBUG Beanstalk LegacyBeanstalk ControlLisbon Legacy League 2024 // 6th Qualifier

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The delve mechanic permits you to utilize non-essential cards in your graveyard to pay for a significant portion of Murderous Cut’s mana cost. This essentially turns those graveyard cards into an asset, ensuring you maintain card equity on the field while disposing of an opponent’s threat.

Resource Acceleration: By leveraging your graveyard as a resource, Murderous Cut can free up your mana for the turn. This acceleration allows you to deploy multiple spells in a single turn or keep mana available for other strategic plays, giving you an edge in resource management.

Instant Speed: Murderous Cut can be cast at instant speed, providing you with the flexibility to remove creatures during your opponent’s turn or in response to an action. This disrupts your opponent’s plans and keeps you one step ahead in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Murderous Cut’s Delve ability, you may need to exile cards from your graveyard. This can be a strategic setback, as it could deplete resources you might need for other cards or abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Murderous Cut requires black mana, meaning it is most effective in mono-black or color-compatible decks. This mana cost can limit its flexibility in multicolor decks that may not always have black mana readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Delve can reduce its cost, Murderous Cut’s initial mana cost is rather steep at five mana. There are situations where other removal options could be more mana-efficient, especially when your graveyard doesn’t have enough cards to fully leverage the Delve mechanic.


Reasons to Include Murderous Cut in Your Collection

Versatility: Murderous Cut stands out due to its ability to be slotted into a variety of deck types. With its Delve mechanic, this card allows players to utilize their graveyard resources, making it a great addition to strategies that already interact with the graveyard or simply as efficient removal in any black deck.

Combo Potential: As a spell that can potentially be cast for a single black mana, Murderous Cut can easily become part of combos or synergize with cards that benefit from casting spells at a reduced cost. Its low effective cost also means saving mana for other spells or abilities within your turn.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are commonplace in many metas, a card like Murderous Cut that can remove virtually any creature is always relevant. It acts as a key tool for control decks and can be a surprise element in tempo plays when mana efficiency is pivotal.


How to beat

Murderous Cut stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a potent removal spell, offering players the flexibility to eliminate nearly any creature threat on the battlefield. Its strength lies in its delve mechanic, allowing you to exile cards from your graveyard to reduce the mana cost. This can turn what would be a five mana spell into a one mana powerhouse. An impressive feat compared to other removal spells.

To overcome this card, consider tactics such as utilizing creatures that bounce back to your hand or ones that leave behind tokens upon death, diminishing the impact of being targeted by Murderous Cut. Additionally, having cards that can restock your graveyard will lessen the effectiveness of delve, compelling your opponent to invest more mana into it. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can also be a strategic sideboard choice to invalidate Murderous Cut’s delve ability, turning it back into an expensive investment for your opponent. Lastly, countering this spell before it takes effect will save your creature and waste your adversary’s resources—both graveyard fuel and mana.

Being prepared and knowing your options against high-impact cards like Murderous Cut can tilt matches in your favor, ensuring that this formidable spell doesn’t cut your game plan short.


BurnMana Recommendations

Every MTG player seeks an arsenal that provides an upper hand, and Murderous Cut is a strong player in the field of creature removal. Integrating this card with your deck can significantly alter the tide of battle. Utilize the delve functionality to keep mana open for unforeseen plays and force opponents to guess your next move. However, be mindful of your graveyard’s size and diversify strategies to ensure consistency even when graveyard resources run low. Want to refine your deck with Murderous Cut’s capabilities or need alternatives to tailor your playstyle? Delve into our resources where your next strategic breakthrough awaits.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Murderous Cut MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Khans of Tarkir, 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 Murderous Cut and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Murderous Cut Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2014-09-26. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 81y2015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
22014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 812015NormalBlackYohann Schepacz
32020-09-26The ListPLST KTK-812015NormalBlackYohann Schepacz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Murderous Cut has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-09-20 Because delve isn’t an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
2014-09-20 Delve doesn’t change a spell’s mana cost or converted mana cost. For example, Dead Drop’s converted mana cost is 10 even if you exiled three cards to cast it.
2014-09-20 The rules for delve have changed slightly since it was last in an expansion. Previously, delve reduced the cost to cast a spell. Under the current rules, you exile cards from your graveyard at the same time you pay the spell’s cost. Exiling a card this way is simply another way to pay that cost.
2014-09-20 You can’t exile cards to pay for the colored mana requirements of a spell with delve.
2014-09-20 You can’t exile more cards than the generic mana requirement of a spell with delve. For example, you can’t exile more than nine cards from your graveyard to cast Dead Drop.