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Writer's pictureConnor Kirkwood

Ask the AI: Top Ten Black Cards

Updated: May 5


Dark Ritual
Artist: Sandra Everingham

In Magic the Gathering, black symbolizes power, self-interest, death, sacrifice, and uninhibitedness. Black mana is often associated with ambition and the pursuit of one's desires at any cost. As a color, black embraces individualism, often employing dark and forbidden magic to achieve its goals.


Black is well known to have a willingness to sacrifice resources, whether it be the player's own life or other creatures on the battlefield, in exchange for potent effects. This willingness to pay a steep price sets black apart from the other colors in Magic, embodying the notion that power comes with a cost.


In Magic’s history, black has taken on many different roles that showcase all of its strengths, whether that’s hand disruption, destroy effects, graveyard strategies, underhanded tactics, or even demonic bargaining. But what are the ten most powerful black Magic cards that have ever been printed? Let’s Ask the AI!



What are the ten most powerful black Magic the Gathering cards?



1. Demonic Tutor



Demonic Tutor is a classic black sorcery that provides unparalleled versatility by allowing a player to search their library for any card. Its inclusion in decks ensures consistency and the ability to access key combo pieces or powerful answers at any point in the game.


 

2. Yawgmoth's Will



Yawgmoth's Will is a game-changing sorcery that grants players the ability to play cards from their graveyard until the end of the turn. This card is instrumental in storm strategies, allowing players to reuse spells and generate explosive turns, ultimately leading to victory.

 

3. Dark Ritual



Dark Ritual is a simple, efficient, and powerful ritual that accelerates a player's mana production in the early game. This card is a cornerstone in fast combo decks, enabling explosive starts and the casting of high-impact spells ahead of schedule.


 

4. Necropotence



Necropotence is an enchantment that provides incredible card advantage at the cost of life. This card has been a staple in many black-based decks, particularly in combo and control strategies, allowing players to draw a large number of cards and overwhelm opponents with resources.


 

5. Thoughtseize



Thoughtseize is a powerful one-mana spell that allows players to disrupt their opponent's strategy by forcing them to discard a card of their choice. This card is crucial in controlling the opponent's hand, providing information, and disrupting combo or control strategies.


 

6. Dark Confidant



Dark Confidant, also known as Bob, is a highly efficient creature that provides card advantage each turn. Its inclusion in aggressive and midrange decks allows players to draw extra cards while applying pressure, making it a versatile and powerful card.


 

7. Tendrils of Agony



Tendrils of Agony is a key win condition in storm decks. This sorcery deals damage to an opponent based on the number of spells cast in the turn, allowing storm players to finish the game with a single, well-executed combo turn.


 

8. Inquisition of Kozilek



Inquisition of Kozilek is a potent one-mana discard spell that sees play in various formats. Its ability to strip away key cards from an opponent's hand early in the game disrupts their strategy and provides valuable information.


 

9. Grave Titan



Grave Titan is a formidable black creature that generates a significant board presence. Its ability to produce Zombie tokens with each attack makes it a potent threat in midrange and control decks, capable of overwhelming opponents over time.


 

10. Phyrexian Arena



Phyrexian Arena is an enchantment that provides consistent card advantage at the cost of life. It sees play in various black-based control and midrange decks, ensuring a steady stream of cards to outvalue opponents in the long game.


 


These cards have left a lasting impact on Magic: The Gathering, shaping the strategies and archetypes of the game throughout its history. They are often integral components of powerful and iconic decks, showcasing the depth and diversity of black's capabilities in the Magic multiverse.


So what do you think? Are these the ten most powerful black MTG cards ever printed? Let us know in the comments below!

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