Seal of Doom MTG Card


Provides card advantage by influencing opponent’s board strategy with its delayed removal potential. Allows for instant speed removal, offering strategic flexibility and reactive play opportunities. Limited by mana specificity and comparative efficiency, challenging its inclusion in diverse decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Sacrifice Seal of Doom: Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.

"I am the banisher, the ill will that snuffs the final candle." —Seal inscription


Cards like Seal of Doom

Seal of Doom is a unique addition to the suite of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include the instant-speed Doom Blade, a quintessential spell that targets non-black creatures for rapid removal. Seal of Doom differentiates itself by quietly waiting on the battlefield, able to trigger its creature destruction at the most opportune moment without the color limitation, albeit being unable to target black creatures. This aspect of surprise gives players a strategic edge, offering control over the timing of the removal.

Apart from Doom Blade, there is also Disfigure, a one-mana removal spell that decreases a creature’s power and toughness. Although not a direct destruction spell, it serves a similar purpose at a lower cost but with the requirement that the creature’s strength falls within the range of the spell’s effect. The flexibility of Seal of Doom, lying in wait to be activated at a critical time, sets it apart from this more immediate yet conditional response.

Thus, Seal of Doom stands out in its category. It’s the silent guardian on the board, offering a more tactical approach to removal spells in the game, proving to be versatile in various gameplay situations in MTG.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Disfigure - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Disfigure - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Seal of Doom by color, type and mana cost

Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions
Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Seal of Doom offers a unique form of card advantage through its ability to stay on the battlefield until the optimal moment for removal arises. This can effectively deter opponents from committing their best creatures to the board, effectively giving you a psychological edge as well as maintaining board control.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to traditional resource acceleration, Seal of Doom’s low casting cost and flexibility allow for efficient use of mana. This, in turn, lets players allocate resources to other spells and threats, optimizing their mana usage throughout the game.

Instant Speed: The removal effect of Seal of Doom functions at instant speed once the enchantment is sacrificed. This provides the flexibility to respond to threats on the opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, maximizing strategic depth and allowing players to make reactive decisions based on the flow of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Seal of Doom necessitates dropping this card onto the battlefield, awaiting the opportune moment for its activation. This delay can sometimes result in a cluttered hand, preventing you from drawing additional cards that could be immediately impactful.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Seal of Doom requires black mana, rendering it unplayable in colorless or off-color decks. This mana requirement can hinder deck versatility and may not fit into a strategy that isn’t heavily black-oriented.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana for a delayed removal effect, there are options available that can remove threats instantly and more cost-effectively. Seal of Doom’s cost can be seen as inefficient compared to other instant-speed removal spells in the same mana range.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Seal of Doom offers the flexibility to be slotted into various decks as a valuable removal option. Its colorless activation cost makes it accessible to multiple archetypes that run black mana.

Combo Potential: With its sacrifice mechanics, Seal of Doom can synergize with effects that trigger upon sacrificing permanents, enhancing various combo lines in your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature strategies are prevalent, Seal of Doom remains a relevant tool, giving players an efficient means to disrupt opponents and control the battlefield.


How to beat

The Seal of Doom holds a notable position among removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to lie in wait on the battlefield, this enchantment can threaten to destroy nonblack creatures at a moment’s notice. Yet, its power is not absolute. Strategies to counter Seal of Doom involve deploying disposable creatures that can trigger and waste its effect, protecting your more valuable creatures from its destructive ability.

Another effective tactic is to utilize cards with hexproof or indestructible attributes, rendering Seal of Doom’s ability ineffective. Creatures with regeneration abilities also offer a resilience that can withstand the Seal’s doom, often outlasting the threat it presents. In essence, while Seal of Doom may initially seem daunting, with the right strategic maneuvers and card selections, its impact can be significantly diminished or entirely neutralized.

In the grand chessboard of Magic: The Gathering, every threat has a countermeasure. It’s crucial to analyze your deck and incorporate elements that can preserve your crucial creatures from falling prey to spells like Seal of Doom. Understanding the dynamics of card interactions remains key to mastering the game and turning potential defeats into victories.


BurnMana Recommendations

Seal of Doom is a tactical tool in the vast universe of MTG, offering a strategic advantage with its surprise factor and flexible removal. As you adapt your deck to the evolving meta, this card can be an asset in enhancing your game plan. Consider its pros and cons, its synergies, and the current gameplay environment to determine its effectiveness for your strategy. Dive deeper with us, where you can expand your knowledge, refine your deck-building techniques, and find innovative ways to incorporate Seal of Doom into your collection. Advance your MTG skills—immerse yourself in our insightful content and turn the tides in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Seal of Doom MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Dissension, 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 Seal of Doom and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Seal of Doom Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-02-14NemesisNEM 701997NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22006-05-05DissensionDIS 532003NormalBlackRalph Horsley
32015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1352015NormalBlackRalph Horsley
42017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 832015NormalBlackRalph Horsley
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7652015NormalBlackRalph Horsley
62020-09-26The ListPLST C15-1352015NormalBlackRalph Horsley

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Seal of Doom has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal