Sip of Hemlock MTG Card


‘Sip of Hemlock’ delivers efficient creature removal plus an added bonus of life loss for the opponent. The card’s high mana cost and color specificity limit its inclusion in diverse deck strategies. It’s an essential tool against creature-heavy decks but is vulnerable to early-game strategies and counters.
Sip of Hemlock - Theros
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set nameTheros
Set codeTHS
Number106
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byNils Hamm

Text of card

Destroy target creature. Its controller loses 2 life.

Conspirators poisoned the oracle not because her visions were wrong, but because they were right.


Cards like Sip of Hemlock

Sip of Hemlock occupies its own niche in Magic: The Gathering’s repertoire of removal spells. When casting Sip of Hemlock, not only do you destroy a creature, which is a staple effect found in numerous other spells, but you also cause that creature’s controller to lose 2 life. This added detriment to your opponent creates a notable split from spells like Murder, which simply destroy a creature without additional penalties.

Another comparable option is Tribute to Hunger, which forces the opponent to sacrifice a creature and then grants you life equal to that creature’s toughness. Though it does not guarantee a life loss for your opponent, Tribute to Hunger could result in a greater life swing in your favor. Then, one might consider Deadly Tempest, a spell that wipes the entire board and also inflicts life loss to each opponent for each creature they controlled that was destroyed. While it’s more sweeping than Sip of Hemlock, its higher mana cost necessitates a more delayed play.

In all, Sip of Hemlock serves a vital function with its unique blend of targeted removal and incremental life loss, standing out in a crowded field of creature elimination options.

Murder - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Hunger - MTG Card versions
Deadly Tempest - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Hunger - MTG Card versions
Deadly Tempest - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sip of Hemlock provides a two-for-one value by not only removing a troublesome creature from the battlefield but also dealing 2 damage to its controller, tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating resources, the card efficiently uses mana by performing two actions within a single spell, effectively freeing up turns and mana for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: While Sip of Hemlock operates at sorcery speed, this allows players to strategically plan out their turns, ensuring this powerful removal spell is utilized without haste, paving the way for a more controlled game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sip of Hemlock does not ask players to discard, it does pose deckbuilding constraints as it doesn’t easily fit into every strategy, potentially acting as a dead card against a deck that doesn’t rely on crucial creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Demanding two black mana makes Sip of Hemlock restrictive when it comes to deck inclusion, often requiring a commitment to heavy black mana sources or a carefully managed mana base for multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, which includes the specific mana requirement, Sip of Hemlock is costly for removal spells. In a game where tempo and efficiency are key, there are numerous alternatives offering creature removal at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Sip of Hemlock in Your Collection

Versatility: As a powerful removal spell, Sip of Hemlock is capable of dealing with any creature, regardless of its size or abilities. This makes it a useful addition to decks that need a definitive answer to threats on the board.

Combo Potential: This card could be effectively combined with effects that benefit from killing creatures, such as those that trigger upon death or graveyards being populated. It’s suitable for strategies centered around controlling the board and setting up advantageous conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where high-value creatures dominate the landscape, being able to remove key components of an opponent’s game plan is crucial. Sip of Hemlock can serve as an essential tool in your arsenal, particularly in a meta that favors creature-based decks.


How to beat

Sip of Hemlock is a powerful removal spell that can be a real game-changer in MTG. This card allows you to destroy any creature, regardless of its size or abilities, which makes it a straightforward solution to eliminate major threats on the battlefield. However, its high mana cost means it often plays a role later in the game, giving you time to devise a counterstrategy. To effectively play against Sip of Hemlock, consider employing low-cost creatures and diversifying threats to minimize the impact of this single-target removal.

Another strategy is to utilize hexproof or indestructible creatures, which are not as easily disrupted by targeted removal spells. Counterspells are also effective at denying Sip of Hemlock casting, keeping your board presence safe. Lastly, quick and aggressive gameplay can force your opponent to use their heavy-hitting removals like Sip of Hemlock earlier than planned, potentially exhausting their resources and giving you a tactical advantage as the match progresses. By anticipating its arrival and adapting your gameplay, you can mitigate the effects of this potent removal spell.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sip of Hemlock MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Sip of Hemlock and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sip of Hemlock has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-09-15 If the creature is an illegal target when Sip of Hemlock tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will occur. The creature's controller won't lose 2 life. However, if Sip of Hemlock resolves and the creature isn't destroyed (perhaps because it regenerated or had indestructible), the creature's controller will still lose 2 life.