The Mystical Origins of Black Magic Cards

Black Magic Card is a term that refers to a type of card used in certain trading card games, often associated with the color black. These cards typically contain powerful and dark-themed abilities that can be used by players to gain an advantage in the game. In most trading card games, different colors represent different types of gameplay styles and abilities. Black is often associated with themes such as death, destruction, manipulation, and sorcery. As such, black magic cards are designed to reflect these themes and provide players with abilities that align with a more sinister playstyle. Black magic cards often feature abilities that allow players to manipulate their opponents' resources, inflict direct damage to their opponents, or even resurrect creatures from the dead.

Black magic cards often feature abilities that allow players to manipulate their opponents' resources, inflict direct damage to their opponents, or even resurrect creatures from the dead. These abilities can be potent and can turn the tide of a game if used strategically. However, black magic cards often come with a cost.

The Top 25 Black Cards Of All-Time: #5-1

Well, we knew black was the color of coveting power. So here we are. It may be predictable, but there’s no denying it: These are the most absurdly busted black cards ever.

The top of black’s range is seriously so ridiculous. How many of these
cards would make other colors top five lists, easily?

Could black’s top five actually have more cards that were at one time
considered the best card in Magic than even blue?

Okay, so here’s one for starters.

While its trendy these days for young people to say crazy things like,
“Hymn to Tourach is better than

' rel="noopener">Mind Twist has (rightly) been banned in every competitive format from
Legacy down for so long, an entire generation has grown up without ever
seriously competing in a format warped around its existence.

It was literally banned before the Pro Tour was even invented.

You know how many people tell me things like “Hymn to Tourach sees more
play in Legacy!”

Yeah? Does it? Does Legacy legal

Let’s set aside the argument of what would be better in Legacy (spoiler:
Mind Twist), despite the fact that

Let’s start with Vintage. Yes,

' rel="noopener">Mind Twist is legal as a four-of these days.
There are so many zero-mana counterspells, one-mana discard
spells, and cheap draw-sevens that

Now, which card has been better in Vintage (Type 1) historically? Again,
the answer is

' rel="noopener">Mind Twist was so dominant in
’94 and ’95 that in early 1996 it was actually straight up banned
from all formats due to power level. Remember,

' rel="noopener">Hymn to Tourach was
legal at this time, and while it was eventually restricted and then later
banned in Standard, it was never the force in powered formats that

Here’s an example of the kind of deck that got

Creatures (2)

Lands (21)

• 3 Strip Mine
• 3 Plains
• 4 City of Brass
• 4 Island
• 2 Volcanic Island
• 4 Tundra
• 1 Library of Alexandria

Spells (37)

• 4 Mana Drain
• 2 Counterspell
• 4 Swords to Plowshares
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Regrowth
• 1 Mind Twist
• 1 Demonic Tutor
• 1 Braingeyser
• 1 Time Walk
• 1 Ancestral Recall
• 2 Red Elemental Blast
• 1 Jayemdae Tome
• 2 Disrupting Scepter
• 4 Disenchant
• 1 Recall
• 2 Moat
• 1 Mirror Universe
• 1 Timetwister
• 1 Black Lotus
• 1 Mox Emerald
• 1 Mox Jet
• 1 Mox Pearl
• 1 Mox Ruby
• 1 Mox Sapphire

Sideboard

• 1 Fireball
• 1 Ivory Tower
• 2 Circle of Protection: Red
• 2 Red Elemental Blast
• 1 Jayemdae Tome
• 1 Disrupting Scepter
• 1 Moat
• 2 Divine Offering
• 1 Feldon's Cane
• 2 Blood Moon
• 1 Tormod's Crypt

That’s right, one of the most famous, most influential decks of all-time,
The Deck, was a

Now that is a good combo with

The Deck introduced the world to the concept of card advantage, and guess
what? Mind Twisting someone is a major source of card advantage.

What about Standard?

' rel="noopener">Mind Twist was a much stronger Standard card than Hymn to
Tourach back in the day. And if we were to imagine today’s format?

Well, let’s just say that

' rel="noopener">Mind Twist would likely be the more popular
choice, assuming you could only pick one.

What about Modern?

You think these Jund players are gonna pick

Get off my yard.

' rel="noopener">Necropotence was seen as a great “defining feature of black,” but
unfortunately proved to be “too strong” and carried with it “too much rules
baggage.”

' rel="noopener">Necropotence that addressed both of these issues. After all, it costs twice
as much, and you can’t get much cleaner of a textbox than that.

Unfortunately, this was during Urza’s Saga block, the block that
made Wizards of the Coast realize that they needed to hire a balance team.

Upon first laying eyes on

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Bargain, eventual Hall of Famer Zvi
Mowshowitz boldly declared that he would break the card before the year was
out. This claim was particularly bold, as Wizards of the Coast had already
banned like a dozen cards, with the intention of completely killing “combo
winter.”

It didn’t take him long.

Lands (20)

• 4 City of Traitors
• 4 Underground River
• 4 City of Brass
• 3 Swamp
• 3 Crystal Vein
• 2 Rootwater Depths

Spells (40)

• 3 Show and Tell
• 4 Yawgmoth's Bargain
• 4 Vampiric Tutor
• 4 Grim Monolith
• 1 Yawgmoth's Will
• 4 Scroll Rack
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 1 Blaze
• 1 Intuition
• 3 Turnabout
• 3 Delusions of Mediocrity
• 4 Voltaic Key
• 4 Mox Diamond

There was a real shortage of playable lifegain, and the format was
extremely fast. Nevertheless, Zvi managed to build a fast combo deck that
turned the format on its head.

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Bargain was eventually relegated to the role of “Vintage one-of
that wins the game for

Lands (13)

• 1 Swamp
• 4 Underground Sea
• 1 Badlands
• 4 Polluted Delta
• 1 Bloodstained Mire
• 1 Library of Alexandria
• 1 Tolarian Academy

Spells (47)

• 1 Tendrils of Agony
• 1 Brainstorm
• 2 Cabal Ritual
• 1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
• 1 Vampiric Tutor
• 1 Yawgmoth's Will
• 4 Duress
• 1 Necropotence
• 1 Mana Vault
• 1 Wheel of Fortune
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Demonic Tutor
• 2 Hurkyl's Recall
• 1 Time Walk
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 1 Ancestral Recall
• 1 Mana Crypt
• 1 Timetwister
• 3 Cabal Therapy
• 1 Mind's Desire
• 1 Black Lotus
• 1 Lotus Petal
• 1 Lion's Eye Diamond
• 1 Mox Emerald
• 1 Mox Jet
• 1 Mox Pearl
• 1 Mox Ruby
• 1 Mox Sapphire
• 1 Ponder
• 4 Gitaxian Probe
• 4 Dark Petition

Sideboard

• 2 Hurkyl's Recall
• 4 Ancient Tomb
• 3 Defense Grid
• 1 Empty the Warrens
• 2 Mindbreak Trap
• 3 Ravenous Trap

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Bargain at half the
price. This card is so ridiculously good, it dominated the game for years
and actually changed the entire design philosophy the game is built around.

”

Keep banning cards until

From the moment

' rel="noopener">Black Vise was restricted, Necro took over Standard.
Earlier this week, we discussed a variety of

' rel="noopener">Necropotence decks from the
first Pro Tours. How about 1996 US National Champion Dennis Bentley’s B/r
Necro deck than cemented the term “Necro Summer”?

Creatures (12)

• 2 Knight of Stromgald
• 4 Hypnotic Specter
• 4 Black Knight
• 2 Order of the Ebon Hand

Lands (24)

• 4 Strip Mine
• 4 Sulfurous Springs
• 2 City of Brass
• 14 Swamp

Spells (24)

• 1 Fireball
• 4 Lightning Bolt
• 4 Hymn to Tourach
• 3 Necropotence
• 1 Ivory Tower
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 1 Black Vise
• 1 Dystopia
• 4 Icequake
• 1 Zuran Orb

Sideboard

• 1 Jester's Cap
• 2 Dance of the Dead
• 1 Shatter
• 2 Dark Banishing
• 1 Contagion
• 2 Serrated Arrows
• 3 Dystopia
• 2 Stromgald Cabal
• 1 Infernal Darkness

When all you need to do is beat creatures with protection from white, the
incentives can really change.

Keep in mind, every non-Necro deck at the top was built with the near
exclusive purpose of defeating Necro decks. And still, The Skull prevailed.

By the time of Pro Tour Dallas,

' rel="noopener">Necropotence had spawned several new sub
variations. First, the champion, playing Mono-Black Necro “Control”:

Creatures (7)

• 4 Hypnotic Specter
• 2 Sengir Vampire
• 1 Ihsan's Shade

Lands (23)

• 1 Strip Mine
• 2 Mishra's Factory
• 18 Swamp
• 2 Lake of the Dead

Spells (30)

• 4 Nevinyrral's Disk
• 1 Hymn to Tourach
• 4 Necropotence
• 1 Ivory Tower
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 4 Drain Life
• 3 Stupor
• 2 Mind Warp
• 3 Contagion
• 1 Serrated Arrows
• 2 Demonic Consultation
• 1 Zuran Orb

Sideboard

• 1 Stupor
• 1 Soul Burn
• 1 Contagion
• 1 Serrated Arrows
• 3 Stench of Decay
• 4 Dystopia
• 3 Infernal Darkness
• 1 Lodestone Bauble

Then, in third place, representing the aggro decks of the format, Brian
Hacker’s

Creatures (19)

• 4 Knight of Stromgald
• 4 Hypnotic Specter
• 4 Black Knight
• 3 Erg Raiders
• 4 Order of the Ebon Hand

Lands (21)

Spells (20)

• 1 Nevinyrral's Disk
• 1 Hymn to Tourach
• 2 Necropotence
• 4 Bad Moon
• 3 Dark Ritual
• 1 Drain Life
• 2 Terror
• 2 Contagion
• 4 Choking Sands

And then finally carrying on the fine tradition of B/r Necro-decks, Chris
Pikula, who actually increased the red presence in the deck with

Creatures (14)

• 2 Knight of Stromgald
• 4 Hypnotic Specter
• 4 Black Knight
• 4 Order of the Ebon Hand

Lands (22)

• 4 Sulfurous Springs
• 1 City of Brass
• 12 Swamp
• 4 Mountain
• 1 Lava Tubes

Spells (23)

• 1 Fireball
• 4 Lightning Bolt
• 1 Hymn to Tourach
• 3 Necropotence
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 3 Drain Life
• 1 Black Vise
• 2 Shatter
• 3 Incinerate
• 1 Zuran Orb

Sideboard

Look, the mana wasn’t great in those days.

Now, the color-hosers, on the other hand…?

' rel="noopener">Necropotence had transitioned into Extended (the precursor to
Modern), the format had become overrun with fast combo decks. At first,

' rel="noopener">Necropotence was the hero. First, in the hands of Randy Buehler at Pro Tour
Chicago, and then when piloted by Andre’ Konstanczer, Necro-ing up Knight
of Stromgald,

Creatures (7)

• 4 Knight of Stromgald
• 1 Sengir Vampire
• 2 Sedge Troll

Lands (23)

• 4 Wasteland
• 2 Sulfurous Springs
• 9 Swamp
• 4 Badlands
• 2 Lake of the Dead
• 2 Bad River

Spells (30)

• 4 Hymn to Tourach
• 2 Yawgmoth's Will
• 4 Duress
• 2 Firestorm
• 4 Necropotence
• 4 Dark Ritual
• 4 Drain Life
• 3 Contagion
• 3 Demonic Consultation

Sideboard

• 2 Meltdown
• 2 Dread of Night
• 2 Perish
• 4 Bottle Gnomes
• 4 Pyroblast
• 1 Spinning Darkness

I’ve always enjoyed the “2 Yawgmoth’s Will” experience, the true embodiment
of discipline. It’s like receiving four drink tickets for an event and only
using two. You could have had four, but you chose to have two.

Creatures (22)

• 2 Llanowar Elves
• 2 Birds of Paradise
• 1 Eternal Witness
• 1 Magus of the Moon
• 4 Bloodbraid Elf
• 4 Arbor Elf
• 1 Inferno Titan
• 2 Elvish Mystic
• 2 Stormbreath Dragon
• 1 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
• 2 Tireless Tracker

Planeswalkers (2)

Lands (21)

• 8 Forest
• 4 Wooded Foothills
• 1 Mountain
• 4 Windswept Heath
• 3 Stomping Ground
• 1 Kessig Wolf Run

Spells (15)

• 4 Lightning Bolt
• 4 Stone Rain
• 4 Blood Moon
• 3 Molten Rain

Sideboard

• 3 Relic of Progenitus
• 1 Obstinate Baloth
• 2 Scavenging Ooze
• 1 Thragtusk
• 2 Destructive Revelry
• 3 Anger of the Gods
• 1 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
• 1 Glorybringer
• 1 Abrade

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the
villain.

Yeah, it turns out, finding whatever card you want for just two mana is a
little too much.

Rather than list every single Vintage deck ever, here’s an example of the
kind of stuff

' rel="noopener">Demonic Tutor and the rest of the busted tutors do (of which,
Demonic is clearly the best).

Creatures (8)

• 4 Dark Confidant
• 3 Trygon Predator
• 1 Inkwell Leviathan

Planeswalkers (3)

• 3 Jace, the Mind Sculptor

Lands (16)

• 1 Forest
• 1 Island
• 1 Volcanic Island
• 3 Underground Sea
• 2 Tropical Island
• 1 Polluted Delta
• 1 Flooded Strand
• 1 Tolarian Academy
• 4 Misty Rainforest
• 1 Scalding Tarn

Spells (33)

• 1 Sensei's Divining Top
• 1 Brainstorm
• 2 Mana Drain
• 1 Vampiric Tutor
• 1 Yawgmoth's Will
• 4 Force of Will
• 1 Sol Ring
• 1 Demonic Tutor
• 1 Time Walk
• 1 Ancestral Recall
• 1 Mana Crypt
• 1 Time Vault
• 1 Merchant Scroll
• 1 Tinker
• 1 Voltaic Key
• 1 Black Lotus
• 1 Mox Emerald
• 1 Mox Jet
• 1 Mox Pearl
• 1 Mox Ruby
• 1 Mox Sapphire
• 3 Thoughtseize
• 4 Spell Pierce
• 1 Nature's Claim

Sideboard

• 2 Red Elemental Blast
• 1 Pyroblast
• 1 Pithing Needle
• 4 Leyline of the Void
• 2 Yixlid Jailer
• 2 Sower of Temptation
• 3 Nature's Claim

While The Deck had to play a playset of

' rel="noopener">Demonic Tutor for restricted cards, eventually,
things got so powerful that you could just play decks with a single
creature kill spell and a single

Eventually, Urza’s Saga Block added so many broken cards games
became decided almost entirely on two-card interactions that would nearly
win the game on their own.

' rel="noopener">Time Vault combine for unlimited extra turns,
hyper-efficient library manipulation like

' rel="noopener">Tinker doesn’t even need a second card to be absurd, although frequently it
was combined with

Of course, there was one card even higher, one card that didn’t even need
you to untap, a card so strong, that basically just casting it amounted to
a win for many years.

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Will can be easy for non-Vintage players to underestimate since
so many lists seem to feature just two

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Wills, even when people
could have played four. The key is that the only formats where Yawgmoth’s
Will has been legal as a four-of have tended to include an absurd level of
ultra overpowered cheap tutors. You only need one

Sure, there were some value decks, such as the PT Rome era Necro deck
above, but that one just played two, as well. Finkel’s US Nationals winning
Napster deck played a full four (detailed
here
), but that was the first time you had to play with just

For a great example of what

' rel="noopener">Yawgmoth’s Will really does, let me
refer you to one of the most broken decks in the history of Magic. This
Team CMU creation was so demonstrably broken, it literally lead to the
first “emergency ban” in Magic history.

Black and White: While the rivalry between White and Black is the most iconic of the game, they agree in important and fundamental values like Free Will (for Black is quintessential, for White is the element which gives its value to moral choices), Responsibility (for Black is a duty to itself, for White is a duty to the world), Hard effort and sacrifice (even though Black is willing to make others effort and sacrifice if it have the choice, while White will do the opposite) and Religiousness (for both this world and the next, religions offer a way of salvation; and Black's respect for truth doesn't allow it to deny the spiritual dimension of the reality). At a practical scale, they're the embodiment of machiavellism and merit-based aristocracy, whether they are an elite genuinely concerned about the fate of their people or mere mobster leeches in power devoted to luxury and good life.

They may require players to sacrifice their own resources or health points to activate their abilities. This reflects the idea that black magic is powerful but comes with a price. It adds a layer of strategy and risk assessment to using these cards effectively. Black magic cards can also have a thematic and visual impact on the overall game. Often, these cards feature dark and eerie artwork, showcasing creatures of darkness, demonic symbols, or other macabre imagery. This adds to the immersive experience of the game and helps create a distinct atmosphere for players. While black magic cards can be powerful, they are just one aspect of a larger strategic gameplay. Players often build decks combining cards from different colors and themes to create a well-rounded strategy. Black magic cards are just one tool in a player's arsenal, and their success largely depends on how well they are incorporated into a broader game plan. Overall, black magic cards add depth and variety to trading card games, providing players with a range of exciting and strategic options. They are an integral part of the game's overall ecosystem and offer players the opportunity to explore darker and more manipulative playstyles. Whether it's taking control of the battlefield or punishing opponents, black magic cards offer a unique and engaging gameplay experience..

Reviews for "Mastering Dark Magic: Tips for Using Black Magic Cards"

1. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the "Black Magic Card". The advertised features just didn't work as promised. The card kept freezing whenever I tried to use it, and I couldn't access any of the supposed advanced functions. It felt like a total waste of money, and I regret purchasing it.

2. John - 2 stars - While the "Black Magic Card" had an interesting concept, it fell short in execution. The user interface was clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult to navigate through the various features. Additionally, the card frequently crashed, leaving me frustrated and unable to use it effectively. Overall, I was disappointed with the experience and would not recommend it.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the "Black Magic Card", but sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. The card's interface was confusing and lacked clear instructions, making it difficult to understand how to utilize its supposed magical features. I also encountered several technical issues, such as constant glitches and slow response times. It's safe to say that this card did not cast a spell of satisfaction on me.

4. Michael - 1 star - The "Black Magic Card" turned out to be a complete letdown. I was expecting a seamless and magical experience, but instead, I was greeted with multiple errors and crashes. The card failed to function properly, rendering it useless for its intended purpose. I reached out to customer support for assistance, but their response was slow and unhelpful. Definitely not worth the money or the frustration.

5. Laura - 2 stars - The "Black Magic Card" seemed promising at first, but sadly, it didn't deliver. The card frequently froze and required a restart, which was incredibly frustrating. Additionally, the user interface was overly complex, making it challenging to navigate through the various settings and options. I felt like I spent more time troubleshooting and trying to figure out how to use the card than actually enjoying its features. I'd recommend looking for alternative options instead.

The Dark Arts: Harnessing the Power of Black Magic Cards