Sengir Vampire MTG Card


Sengir Vampire excels by gaining strength through defeating creatures, enhancing board control over time. Its casting cost and mono-black affinity may limit deck diversity but ensure potency in mono decks. Despite newer vampires, Sengir Vampire’s straightforward power increment makes it a reliable MTG choice.
Card setsReleased in 33 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Vampire
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying Vampire gets a +1/+1 counter each time a creature dies during a turn in which Vampire damaged it, unless the dead creature is regenerated.


Cards like Sengir Vampire

Sengir Vampire is an iconic creature within the Magic: The Gathering pantheon, known for its classic vampiric abilities. Quite like its counterpart, Bloodthirsty Aerialist, it thrives on the suffering of your opponents. While both cards benefit from opponents losing life, Sengir Vampire obtains +1/+1 counters differently. Bloodthirsty Aerialist requires you to gain life to activate its ability, whereas Sengir Vampire simply needs to deal damage to a creature.

Mirroring this predatory nature is Vampire Nighthawk, wielding not only flying but deathtouch and lifelink as well. Although it starts smaller, Nighthawk’s comprehensive suite of abilities can present a more immediate threat on the battlefield. Comparatively, Nighthawk’s lifelink offers a more consistent way to trigger synergies with other vampire-themed cards which often revolve around life changes.

To sum up, Sengir Vampire holds its ground as a formidable card, especially in formats or decks where creature combat is frequent. Despite the emergence of newer vampire cards with intricate abilities, the simplicity and direct power bolstering of Sengir Vampire remain attractive to players looking for steadfast and relentless creatures.

Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sengir Vampire by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Zombie Goliath - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Zombie Goliath - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jund ControlJund Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 2

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sengir Vampire offers a unique benefit as it enables you to strengthen your board position whenever it deals damage to a creature and destroys it. This process provides you with incremental advantage as you gain control over more powerful creatures over time.

Resource Acceleration: One of the subtle benefits of this card lies in its potential to accelerate your resources. As you eliminate your opponent’s creatures, you effectively increase your own resources by securing a clearer path for your other creatures to attack, potentially leading to quicker victories.

Instant Speed: While Sengir Vampire itself is not an instant, the ways this card can synergize with other spells at instant speed should not be overlooked. For instance, casting instant-speed removal spells on blockers can make way for your vampire to destroy an opponent’s creature and strengthen further, without needing to wait for another turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sengir Vampire doesn’t ask for a discard directly, the card certainly becomes less advantageous if your hand is overwhelmed with high-cost cards. Managing your hand effectively becomes crucial to making the most of this creature on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost is fairly specific, demanding two black mana. This can make it challenging to include in multi-color decks that might not always have the necessary black mana sources available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, inclusive of two black, Sengir Vampire may enter the fray later than more cost-efficient creatures. In formats that favor speed, the Vampire’s presence might be overshadowed by lower-cost alternatives that impact the game sooner.


Reasons to Include Sengir Vampire in Your Collection

Versatility: Sengir Vampire is a classic creature card that offers flexibility in deck building, capable of being a staple in both aggressive and control-oriented black decks. Its ability to grow stronger by gaining +1/+1 counters when it deals damage that destroys a creature makes it a strategic fit for many battle scenarios.

Combo Potential: With its power increasing every time it dispatches a creature, Sengir Vampire works perfectly with cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures or with any strategy that focuses on creature kill spells, fortifying its presence on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where smaller creatures are prevalent, Sengir Vampire not only becomes a formidable offensive threat but also a resilient defensive option, capable of deterring attacks and punishing opponents’ combat decisions.


How to beat

Sengir Vampire is a classic creature card that many MTG players will recognize for its ability to grow stronger with each opponent’s creature it destroys. This flying creature can be a significant threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. To effectively counter Sengir Vampire, consider removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their flying ability. Spells like Doom Blade, Murder, or Go for the Throat are straightforward ways to eliminate the vampire without letting it take advantage of its power-building trait.

Controlling the board is another strategy, ensuring that Sengir Vampire does not have any potential targets to attack. Using cards with ‘deathtouch’ to neutralize the threat or playing spells that prevent the vampire from attacking or blocking each turn, like Pacifism or Frost Lynx’s abilities, can greatly diminish its impact. Lastly, using enchantments that limit a single creature’s abilities, like those found in cards such as Lignify or Darksteel Mutation, can effectively ‘neuter’ Sengir Vampire and remove the threat it poses without having to send it to the graveyard, where some decks might find ways to bring it back into play.

While Sengir Vampire may seem daunting at first with its capacity to become a major force, remember that MTG offers a multitude of ways to handle such threats. Assessing the board, maintaining removal options, and preventing its targeting ability are key to overcoming this iconic vampire.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sengir Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Sengir Vampire and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sengir Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 30 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1271993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1281993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1281993NormalWhiteAnson Maddocks
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1281993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1281993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1291993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1291993NormalWhiteAnson Maddocks
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1291993NormalWhiteAnson Maddocks
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1601993NormalWhiteAnson Maddocks
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1601993NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
111996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC gb1601993NormalGoldAnson Maddocks
121999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 691997NormalWhiteAnson Maddocks
132000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 291997NormalBlackJeff Easley
142002-02-04TormentTOR 801997NormalBlackKev Walker
152005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1612003NormalWhiteKev Walker
162005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 161★2003NormalBlackKev Walker
172007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1762003NormalBlackKev Walker
182007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 176★2003NormalBlackKev Walker
192010-06-04Duels of the PlaneswalkersDPA 322003NormalBlackKev Walker
202011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 961997NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
212011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1072003NormalBlackKev Walker
222013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 172003NormalBlackKev Walker
232013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1132003NormalBlackKev Walker
242014-07-18Magic 2015M15 2772015NormalBlackKev Walker
252015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 2832015NormalBlackKev Walker
262016-04-08Welcome Deck 2016W16 92015NormalBlackKev Walker
272017-04-15Welcome Deck 2017W17 192015NormalBlackKev Walker
282019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7662015NormalBlackKev Walker
292020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2752015NormalBlackKev Walker
302020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 602015NormalBlackKev Walker
312020-09-26The ListPLST W17-192015NormalBlackKev Walker
322022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1242015NormalBlackAnson Maddocks
332022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4211997NormalBlackAnson Maddocks

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sengir Vampire has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-07-15 If Sengir Vampire deals nonlethal damage to a creature and then a different effect or damage source causes that creature to be put into a graveyard later in the turn, Sengir Vampire’s ability will trigger and it will get a +1/+1 counter.
2011-09-22 Each time a creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, check whether Sengir Vampire had dealt any damage to it at any time during that turn. If so, Sengir Vampire’s ability will trigger. It doesn’t matter who controlled the creature or whose graveyard it was put into.
2011-09-22 If Sengir Vampire and a creature it dealt damage to are both put into a graveyard at the same time, Sengir Vampire’s ability will trigger, but it will do nothing when it resolves.