Thorn of the Black Rose MTG Card


Gaining Monarch from Thorn of the Black Rose ensures a steady flow of card advantage each turn. Its specific black mana cost limits its utility to certain deck types, affecting deck diversity. Thorn of the Black Rose enables new combos and synergizes with discard-focused strategies.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Assassin
Abilities Deathtouch
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.) When Thorn of the Black Rose enters the battlefield, you become the monarch.

If bribery and intimidation fail, Marchesa turns to her favorite form of bureaucracy.


Cards like Thorn of the Black Rose

Thorn of the Black Rose is a unique card in MTG that players often evaluate against staple black draw cards. Its ability to grant you the monarch status sets it apart in a game, allowing for an additional card draw at the turn’s end. This mechanism is reminiscent of Palace Jailer, although the latter card temporarily exiles a creature upon entering the battlefield and is part of the white color pie.

Another card that pairs well in comparison is Phyrexian Arena, a powerful enchantment that allows you to draw an extra card at the cost of one life during your upkeep. Unlike Thorn of the Black Rose, Phyrexian Arena doesn’t require you to become the monarch but also doesn’t offer a body to block or attack. In the realm of creatures with a similar effect, there’s also Vampire Nighthawk which while offering lifelink and deathtouch as additional abilities, doesn’t allow for an extra draw but rather focuses on strong combat presence.

Thorn of the Black Rose shines in scenarios where a player can defend the monarch status, thus establishing sustained card advantage. It’s carefully weighed against others for its unique approach to drawing cards while also being a creature—a notable combo in MTG’s vast array of strategies.

Palace Jailer - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Palace Jailer - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jund GardensJund Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper League 2024-05-09
Golgari GardensGolgari Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-04
PestilencePestilence PauperPestilencePauper League 2024-05-07
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries PauperDimir FaeriesPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-04
BGBG PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-04
BRGBRG PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-04

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thorn of the Black Rose grants you the Monarch, a unique mechanic that allows an additional card draw at the end of your turn. This repeatable effect can quickly outpace your opponent in resources over time, ensuring that your hand remains filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration like a mana rock might, maintaining the Monarch status can indirectly expedite your game plan by consistently drawing into more lands and spells, optimizing your turns ahead.

Instant Speed: Thorn of the Black Rose itself may not be an instant, but its impact on the game can be felt immediately. After claiming the crown of Monarch, every turn becomes a step ahead as you draw at the end of your turn, potentially pulling instant speed spells to disrupt opponents during their turns.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Thorn of the Black Rose demands a specific combination of black mana to cast. This requirement restricts the card to black-themed decks or those with sufficient mana fixing to accommodate its cost effectively, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader range of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three and one black, Thorn of the Black Rose could be considered steep for its effect, especially when compared to other creatures and cards within the same mana range that might provide more immediate board presence or value.

Discard Requirement: While Thorn of the Black Rose does not have a discard requirement itself, its synergies often lean towards decks with discard themes. This can sometimes backfire if the strategy does not align well with your hand, causing unintended disadvantages due to discard-centric synergies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thorn of the Black Rose has a solid place across a wide range of deck builds thanks to its decent toughness and the valuable Monarch mechanic it introduces. It slots well into control or midrange black decks that aim to generate value over time.

Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that protect your Monarch status or benefit from drawing additional cards each turn, Thorn of the Black Rose turns into a combo engine. This enables you to maintain card advantage, ensuring you always have responses or threats at hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where player interaction and maintaining card advantage are key, controlling the Monarch can be a decisive factor. Being able to draw an extra card each turn keeps you ahead of the competition, making Thorn of the Black Rose a relevant choice for many game formats.


How to beat

Thorn of the Black Rose is a card that brings an air of royalty to the battlefield in MTG. As a monarch endowing creature, it can be both a boon and a tricky obstacle to overcome. With deathtouch as its primary form of defense, it can deter attackers effectively, but its true value lies in the card advantage generated by its monarch ability.

Neutralizing this card requires clever maneuvering. One tactic is to use flying creatures or those with trample to bypass its deathtouch ability. Direct removal spells are also a straightforward answer to take it out without entering combat. If you can become the monarch yourself by dealing combat damage to the player controlling it, you can diminish its impact and seize its advantage. Moreover, employing instant-speed spells during the opponent’s end step ensures minimal opportunity for them to utilize the additional card draw granted by the monarchy before it shifts to your side.

Ultimately, the successful parrying of Thorn of the Black Rose relies on a balanced approach. One must push through its defenses while thoughtfully targeting the broader strategy of accruing steady card advantage that this card presents to its controller.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the utility and drawbacks of Thorn of the Black Rose in MTG is key to integrating this card into your strategic arsenal. If you’re looking to refine your deck with the Monarch mechanic or simply appreciate the intrigue it brings to the game, Thorn of the Black Rose can serve as a powerful asset. Its strategic application in maintaining card advantage while navigating its mana specificity and cost balance is what makes MTG an endlessly captivating game for players. Expand your gameplay and collection prowess—let’s explore the synergies, counters, and deck options that elevate this card from a mere piece to a cornerstone of victory. Dive deeper with us into the nuances that Thorn of the Black Rose offers to your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thorn of the Black Rose MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Treasure Chest, 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 Thorn of the Black Rose and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thorn of the Black Rose Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by David Gaillet.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 482015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
22016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 182015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7922015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
42020-09-26The ListPLST CN2-482015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
52020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1542015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1902015NormalBlackDavid Gaillet

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thorn of the Black Rose has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-08-23 Abilities that trigger whenever you "become the monarch" trigger only if you aren't already the monarch. For example, if you are already the monarch as Custodi Lich enters the battlefield, its last ability won't trigger.
2016-08-23 Being the monarch carries two inherent triggered abilities. "At the beginning of the monarch's end step, that player draws a card" and "Whenever a creature deals combat damage to the monarch, its controller becomes the monarch."
2016-08-23 If the triggered ability that causes the monarch to draw a card goes on the stack, and a different player becomes the monarch before that ability resolves, the first player will still draw the card.
2016-08-23 The game starts with no monarch. Once an effect makes one player the monarch, the game will have exactly one monarch from that point forward.
2020-11-10 If combat damage dealt to the monarch causes that player to lose the game, the triggered ability that causes the controller of the attacking creature to become the monarch doesn't resolve. In most cases, the controller of the attacking creature will still become the monarch as it is likely their turn.
2020-11-10 If the monarch leaves the game during another player's turn, that player becomes the monarch. If the monarch leaves the game during their turn, the next player in turn order becomes the monarch.
2020-11-10 If the triggered ability that causes the monarch to draw a card goes on the stack and a different player becomes the monarch before that ability resolves, the first player will still draw the card.
2020-11-10 The game starts with no monarch. Once an effect makes one player the monarch, the game will have exactly one monarch from that point forward. As a player becomes the monarch, the current monarch (if any) ceases being the monarch.
2020-11-10 There are two inherent triggered abilities associated with being the monarch. These triggered abilities have no source and are controlled by the player who was the monarch at the time the abilities triggered. The full texts of these abilities are "At the beginning of the monarch's end step, that player draws a card" and "Whenever a creature deals combat damage to the monarch, its controller becomes the monarch."