Black Cardlist
Black: Pain.
Theme: Pain - "Let me help you hurt yourself."

Devious Infiltration

Sorcery

Common

2B

 

Target creature you control permanently gains "This creature deals an amount of damage equal to its power to its controller at the beginning of his or her upkeep." Give control of this creature to target player.

ES

Thundering Undead

Creature - Zombie

Common

3B

5/4

Trample. Any player may sacrifice a creature to destroy Thundering Undead. If destroyed in this manner, Thundering Undead cannot be regenerated this turn.

KF

Kill Method: Mana Overload

Power Play

Instant

Common

B

 

Add BB to target player's mana pool.

LE

Power Overload

Sorcery

Uncommon

X1B

 

Add X black mana to target player's mana pool. You gain one point of life for each point of mana burn that player takes this turn.

LE

Strategy I: Creature Overkill
One of the pain concepts I have tried to incorporate into black is encouraging your opponents to hurt themselves. Specifically, there are a series of black cards that are clearly under-costed, but may be damaged or destroyed by your opponent through various acts of self-mutilation. This way they get to pick their poison, and you get to administer it. This clearly is the faster of the two strategies, because once your opponent gets enough permanents in play (especially creatures), you can't keep yours in play.

Measly Worm

Creature - Worm

Common

B

2/1

Tunneling. Any player may sacrifice a permanent to destroy Measly Worm. If destroyed in this manner, Measly Worm cannot be regenerated this turn.

ES

Strategy II: Mana-Overload
When I first started play-testing my strategies decks, this was actually the most powerful. It is amazing how hard it is to deal with unwanted mana. You know how many times you are playing a game and are left on a turn with lots of untapped lands just waiting for something to do? Well now you can toss the mana at your opponent. The basic idea behind this strategy is much like the blue Draw-Counter - control them until you can overload them. Black naturally has quite a bit in the way of creature control, and a few new cards extend that "control" even further. This allows you to extend the game long enough to get out the mana to clean them up. One fun facet of this will be to watch two black mana mages dueling it out. Mana flying all over the place, both players emptying their hands by the third turn, and somebody taking the brunt of it all. It could be pretty cool to watch, or to play - if you aren't the one who ends up with all the mana...

Power Surge

Sorcery

Common

3BB

 

Add BBBBB to each player's mana pool. Until the end of turn, all sorceries are countered.

LE

The Set: Black Cards.

Agony of Defeat

Enchantment

Rare

1BB

 

1B: all creatures get -1/-1. 2BB: all creatures target player controls get -1/-1. If at any time no opponent controls any creatures, sacirfice Agony of Defeat.

KF

Altar Vizier

Creature - Priest

Uncommon

4B

3/2

Flying. When Altar Vizier comes into play from your hand, add BBBBB to your mana pool.

LE

Altergenocide

Sorcery

Rare

3SSS

 

Choose a creature type. Place all creatures of that type in all graveyards into play. At the end of the turn remove all copies of that creature, in play or in any graveyards, from the game.

KF

Angry Spirit

Creature - Spirit

Common

4B

5/1

Flying. Any player may sacrifice a creature to prevent all damage dealt by Angry Spirit this turn.

KF

Arcane Rituals

Enchantment

Rare

BBB

 

B, pay one life, discard a card at random from your hand: if that card is a creature, add BBB to your mana pool, if it is a land, add BB, if it is anything else, add B.

LE

Battlefield Looter

Creature - Citizen

Uncommon

3B

1/1

Tap: put target card in any graveyard on top of its owner's library.

ES

Black Sail Ships

Creature - Ships

Common

2B

4/4

Island-home.

LE

Bog Squad

Creature - Soldiers

Common

B

3/3

Bog Squad gets -1/-1 for each creature it blocks or blocking it until the end of turn.

ES

Cadaver Keeper

Creature - Citizen

Rare

5BB

2/2

You may discard Cadaver Keeper as an instant. 2B: Return target creature card above Cadaver keeper in your graveyard to your hand. Use this ability only when Cadaver Keeper is in your graveyard.

LE

Cancerous Horror

Creature - Cancer

Uncommon

3B

4/4

Trample. When Cancerous Horror comes into play, place three -1/-1 counters on it. Tap, 2B, remove a -1/-1 counter from Cancerous Horror: place a -1/-1 counter on target creature.

KF

Choking Swamp Gas

Enchantment

Rare

3B

 

At the end of each player's turn, destroy all creatures that player controls. All creatures gain "1: regenerate this creature."

ES

Chranig, Darkmage

Creature - Legend

Rare

2BB

1/1

Tap, remove target creature card in any graveyard from the game: put a zombie token into play that counts as a creature of the same type, colors, power and toughness as the creature card removed. This token has "1B: regenerate."

KF

Chranig's Leach

Creature - Leach

Uncommon

3BB

3/2

When Chranig's Leach comes into play, choose another creature you control. During your upkeep place a -1/-1 counter on the chosen creature, and a +1/+1 counter on Chranig's Leach. If the chosen creature leaves play, choose another creature you control. If you control no more creatures, bury Chranig's Leach.

ES

Constrictions

Enchantment

Rare

3BB

 

During each of your opponents' upkeeps, that player chooses and discards a card. During your upkeep, draw a card.

ES

Contagious Cancer

Enchantment

Rare

2BB

 

All creatures gain "3: Place a -1/-1 counter on this creature. 2, remove a -1/-1 counter from this creature: place a -1/-1 counter on target creature. 3: remove a -1/-1 counter form this creature."

KF

Contractual Denial

Instant

Rare

1B

 

Counter target spell that has buyback paid for it. Buyback: 2B. (You may pay an additional 2B at the time you cast this spell, if you do so, the next time this card would be placed in the graveyard, put it into your hand instead.)

LE

Convergence of Energy

Creature - Spirit

Common

B

1/1

Flying. When Convergence of Energy comes into play from your hand destroy target white or green creature, or sacrifice this creature; in addition add B to your mana pool.

LE

Convictions

Enchantment

Rare

2BB

 

During each of your opponents' upkeeps, that player loses 1 life. During your upkeep, gain 1 life.

ES

Convulsions

Enchantment

Rare

4BB

 

During each of your opponents' upkeeps, that player sacrifices a creature. During your upkeep, choose a creature card in your graveyard, and put it into your hand.

ES

Convulsive Vomiting

Enchant Creature

Common

B

 

Enchanted creature has summoning sickness.

KF

Dark Meltdown

Instant

Common

B

 

Add BBB to target opponent's mana pool.

LE

Darkwater Crocodile

Creature - Crocodile

Common

1BB

3/2

 

LE

Darkwood Undead

Creature - Zombie

Common

1B

1/1

1B: regenerate. Tap: destroy target Elf.

KF

Death Cloak

Enchant Creature

Rare

1B

 

2B, Return Death Cloak to your hand: if the card directly above Death Cloak is a creature card, put it into play. Use this ability only if Death Cloak is in your graveyard.

KF

Decaying Battalion

Creature - Zombies

Uncommon

2BB

3/3

All creatures get -1/-1.

KF

Deceiving Aura

Enchantment

Rare

4BB

 

During each opponent's discard phase, if that player has more cards in their hand then you, that player chooses and discards cards until they have the same number of cards as you.

LE

Desecrate

Enchantment

Uncommon

1B

 

3BB: Target enchantment permanently gains "This card deals 2 damage to its controller during its controller's upkeep."

LE

Devious Infiltration

Sorcery

Common

2B

 

Target creature you control permanently gains "This creature deals an amount of damage equal to its power to its controller at the beginning of his or her upkeep." Give control of this creature to target player.

ES

Devious Reversal

Instant

Rare

1B

 

Change all occurrences of the "+" sign on target spell being cast to the "-" sign.

LE

Devouring Worms

Creature - Worms

Common

3BB

3/2

Tunneling. At the end of your turn, if Devouring Worms did not damage an opponent or do lethal damage to a creature, sacrifice a creature or sacrifice Devouring Worms.

LE

Diabolical Edict

Instant

Common

1B

 

Target player sacrifices a creature.

ES

Diffuse

Instant

Common

2BB

 

Destroy target creature. If that creature is placed in any graveyard this turn, add an amount of black mana equal to that creature's toughness to its owner's mana pool.

LE

Discordant Anthem

Enchantment

Common

2BB

 

All creatures have summoning sickness.

KF

Dud

Sorcery

Uncommon

XB

 

Add X black mana to your mana pool. Discard Dud: add B to your mana pool.

LE

Energy Leak

Enchantment

Uncommon

3B

 

At the beginning of your upkeep add BB to your mana pool. BBB, give control of Energy Leak to target player: take control of target enchantment that player controls.

LE

Eviscerating Surge

Instant

Common

XB

 

Target creature gets -X/-X and summoning sickness until the end of the turn.

LE

Grave Shredder

Creature - Spirit

Common

1B

3/1

Flying. Defection: 2, remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 2 and remove a creature card in his or her graveyard from the game to take control of this creature. You may pay 2 and remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game to counter this ability.)

KF

Graveside Ritual

Mana Source

Rare

B

 

Remove all creatures in your graveyard from the game. Add a B to your mana pool for each creature removed in this manner.

LE

Grim Strangle

Enchantment

Common

2B

 

During your upkeep Grim Strangle deals 2 damage to you. BB: exchange control of Grim Strangle for target enchantment.

LE

Harpoon Barricade

Creature - Ship, Wall

Common

1B

4/2

First strike. Island-home. sacrifice Harpoon Barricade: Destroy target creature blocked by harpoon barricade.

LE

Hate

Instant

Uncommon

1B

 

Counter target spell by placing in your graveyard the same number of lands as that spell's total converted mana cost. The land placed into your graveyard may either be sacrificed from play, or discarded from your hand.

LE

Hate Furies

Creature - Furies

Rare

2B

2/2

Tap, sacrifice a number of land equal to target spell's total converted mana cost: counter that spell.

ES

Headless Undead

Creature - Zombies

Uncommon

1B

3/1

Any point where Undead would do damage, flip a coin. If heads, Undead do damage as normal, if tails, no damage is dealt. Remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game: return Headless Undead to play from your graveyard.

LE

Hungry Zombies

Creature - Zombies

Common

2B

3/1

Remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game: return Hungry Zombies to play from your graveyard. Play this ability as a sorcery.

ES

Infestation of Worms

Instant

Rare

3B

 

All lands become 1/1 creatures until end of turn. Swamps become 1/1 creatures with tunneling.

LE

Junkpile Guard

Creature - Citizen

Uncommon

4BB

2/2

You may discard Junkpile Guard as an instant. 2B: Put Junkpile Guard into play from your graveyard. Use this ability only in response to a creature being put into an opponent's graveyard from play. 2B: Remove target creature card in any graveyard from the game.

LE

Junkpile Hound

Creature - Hound

Common

3BB

2/1

You may discard Junkpile Hound as an instant. B: Put Junkpile Hound into play from your graveyard. Use this ability only in response to a hound being placed into any graveyard.

LE

Junkpile Hunter

Creature - Citizen

Uncommon

5BB

2/2

You may discard Junkpile Hunter as an instant. B: Put Junkpile Hunter into play from your graveyard. Use this ability only in response to a creature in any graveyard being put into play. B: Place target creature you control into your graveyard.

LE

Junkpile Scavenger

Creature - Citizen

Common

3BB

2/2

You may discard Junkpile Scavenger as an instant. 1B: Put Junkpile Scavenger into play from your graveyard. Use this ability only in response to a creature being put into an opponent's graveyard from play.

LE

Kardan Assassin

Creature - Soldier

Uncommon

4B

3/3

3B: give control of Karadn Assassin to target player. Tap, 4B: destroy target tapped creature controlled by Kardan Assassin's controller. Spy. (Abilities of this creature may be played by its owner, even when it is under another player's control.)

ES

Kardan Backup

Creature - Soldiers

Uncommon

3B

2/2

All your creatures get +1/+1. If Kardan Backup is in your graveyard, all your creatures get -1/-1.

ES

Kardan Dissidents

Creature - Citizens

Common

2B

2/2

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player takes control of Kardan Dissidents. At the end of your turn, Kardan Dissidents deals one point of damage to each creature you control.

ES

Kardan Infantry

Creature - Soldiers

Common

4B

4/4

At the beginning of your upkeep, if any opponent controls five or more creatures, sacrafice Kardan Infantry.

ES

Kardan Infiltrator

Creature - Soldier

Common

2B

2/2

1BB: give control of Karadn Infiltrator to target player. 3BB: Karadn Infiltrator's controller loses 2 life and its owner gains 2 life. Spy. (Abilities of this creature may be played by its owner, even when it is under another player's control.)

ES

Kardan Orderlies

Creature - Knights

Uncommon

1B

2/2

First strike. Kardan Orderlies get -1/-1 for each other knight in play.

ES

Kardan Outcast

Creature - Citizen

Common

1B

1/1

At the beginning of each of your opponents turns, Kardan Outcast becomes a 3/3 creature that counts as a Werewolf until the end of turn.

LE

Kardan Pirates

Creature - Ship

Uncommon

2B

3/2

First strike. Island-home. Whenever Kardan Pirates damages any player, that player chooses and sacrifices an artifact.

LE

Kardan Refugees

Creature - Nomads

Common

1B

3/3

Defection: 2, place a -1/-1 counter on a creature you control. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 2 and place a -1/-1 counter on a creature they control to take control of this creature. You may pay 2 and place a -1/-1 counter on a creature you control to counter this ability.)

KF

Kardan Royal Fleet

Creature - Ships

Rare

3BB

0/0

Island-home. When Kardan Royal Fleet comes into play put four +2/+1 counters on it. U: remove a +2/+1 counter from this creature and put a ship token into play. Treat this as a 2/1 black creature with Island-home.

LE

Kardan Scout

Creature - Soldier

Rare

3B

2/1

2B: give control of Karadn Scout to target player. 3B: Karadn Scout's controller discards a card at random. Spy. (Abilities of this creature may be played by its owner, even when it is under another player's control.)

ES

Kardan Terrorist

Creature - Soldier

Uncommon

1B

1/1

3: Kardan Terrorist deals 1 point of damage to target creature or player. Defection: 3. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 3 to take control of this creature. You may pay 3 to counter this ability.)

KF

Kardan Warrior

Creature - Knight

Common

BB

2/2

First strike. Protection from green. If Kardan Warrior is put into any graveyard from play the same turn an opponent controlled source damaged it, that opponent gains 4 life.

ES

Languid Cancer

Creature - Cancer

Common

3B

4/4

When Languid Cancer comes into play, place three -1/-1 counters on it. 2B, remove a -1/-1 counter from Languid Cancer: place a -1/-1 counter on target creature. During your upkeep, place a -1/-1 counter on Languid Cancer.

KF

Lethal Fatigue

Instant

Uncommon

3BB

 

Destroy target tapped creature. That creature cannot be regenerated this turn. In addition, add BBBBB to your mana pool.

KF

Measly Worm

Creature - Worm

Common

B

2/1

Tunneling. Any player may sacrifice a permanent to destroy Measly Worm. If destroyed in this manner, Measly Worm cannot be regenerated this turn.

ES

Mind Shredder

Creature - Spirit

Uncommon

2BB

2/2

If Mind Shredder attacks, it deals two damage to the defending player. Defection: 2, choose and discard a card. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 2 and discard a card to take control of this creature. You may pay 2 and discard a card to counter this ability.)

KF

Mire Zombie

Creature - Zombie

Common

B

2/1

During your upkeep, if Mire Zombie is in your graveyard it deals 2 damage to you. 2BB: put Mire Zombie into play from your graveyard. Play this ability as a sorcery.

ES

Mist of Darkness

Creature - Wall

Uncommon

2B

0/8

Tap all creatures blocked by Mist. These creatures do not untap during their owners' next untap phase.

KF

Mole Rat

Creature - Rat

Common

1BB

*/*

Tunneling. Mole Rat's strength and toughness are equal to the number of mole rats in play.

LE

Mutation

Sorcery

Rare

2B

 

Target player sacrifices a creature. Choose a target creature card in that player's graveyard and put it into play under his or her control.

LE

Mystic Fungus

Creature - Wall

Uncommon

BB

0/2

Tap, sacrifice Mystic Fungus: Destroy target non-artifact creature.

LE

Northern Unit

Creature - Soldiers

Uncommon

2B

5/5

Northern Unit gets -1/-1 for each creature it blocks or blocking it until the end of turn.

ES

One Time Offer

Enchantment

Rare

BB

 

Players may not use buyback on spells.

LE

Painful Abundance

Enchant Land

Rare

B

 

Any time the controller of the enchanted land taps any land for mana, the enchanted land is tapped and the mana is added to his or her mana pool.

LE

Parasitic Cancer

Creature - Cancer

Uncommon

4B

3/3

2B: give control of Parasitic Cancer to target player and put a -1/-1 counter on it. Remove a -1/-1 counter from Parasitic Cancer: place a -1/-1 counter on target creature controlled by Parasitic Cancer's controller. Spy. (Abilities of this creature may be played by its owner, even when it is under another player's control.)

KF

Petrifying Horror

Creature - Horror

Rare

3B

2/2

Whenever Petrifying Horror blocks or is blocked by any creature that creature permanently becomes an artifact with an ability of "Tap, 3: this artifact ceases to be an artifact and returns to being a creature."

KF

Plague of the Mind

Sorcery

Rare

2BB

 

All players put their hands into their graveyard. Then each player may choose one creature, one land and one sorcery card in their graveyard and returns them to their hand.

ES

Power Overload

Sorcery

Uncommon

X1B

 

Add X black mana to target player's mana pool. You gain one point of life for each point of mana burn that player takes this turn.

LE

Power Play

Instant

Common

B

 

Add BB to target player's mana pool.

LE

Power Surge

Sorcery

Common

3BB

 

Add BBBBB to each player's mana pool. Until the end of turn, all sorceries are countered.

LE

Powerful Retribution

Enchantment

Rare

2B

 

Whenever you are dealt damage from an opponent controlled source, add an equal amount of black mana to that player's mana pool.

LE

Protectors of the Ebon Altar

Creature - Priests

Uncommon

2B

2/3

When Protectors of the Ebon Altar comes into play from your hand, add BBB to your mana pool. Whenever you are dealt damage, deal an equal amount of damage to Protectors of the Ebon Altar.

LE

Rancid Cancer

Creature - Cancer

Common

4B

5/5

When Rancid Cancer comes into play, place three -1/-1 counters on it. Whenever Rancid Cancer is blocked, you may move any number of -1/-1 counters from it onto creatures blocking it. 2: put a -1/-1 counter on Rancid Cancer.

KF

Redundant Failure

Sorcery

Rare

2B

 

Remove from the game all permanents with buyback paid for them.

LE

Ritual Master

Creature - Priest

Rare

1BB

1/1

Tap, B, sacrifice Ritual Master: add BBB to your mana pool. When Ritual Master comes into play from your hand, add BBB to your mana pool.

LE

Rotted Vegetation

Sorcery

Common

2B

 

Target player sacrifices a land.

ES

Sacrificial Attendant

Creature - Priest

Rare

4B

2/1

First Strike. 1B: Sacrificial Attendant deals 1 damage to each creature. When Sacrificial Attendant comes into play from your hand, add BBBBB to your mana pool.

LE

Smoldering Power

Enchantment

Rare

2B

 

At the beginning of each player's main phase add B to their mana pool. When Smoldering Power comes into play, add BBB to your mana pool.

LE

Soul Drain

Sorcery

Common

2BB

 

Target player loses two life, you gain two life. 2BB: target player loses one life, you gain one life. Use this ability only if Soul Drain in your graveyard.

ES

Soul Reaver

Creature - Spirit

Rare

3BB

20-*/20-*

Soul Reaver has power and toughness equal to 20 minus your life total. Defection: 2, pay 4 life. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 2 and 4 life to take control of this creature. You may pay 2 and 4 life to counter this ability.)

KF

Soul Shadow

Enchantment

Common

2BB

 

When Soul Shade comes into play, choose target creature card in your graveyard. BB, sacrifice Soul Shade: put the targeted creature into play. If the targeted creature is put into your graveyard from play, put Soul Shade into play if it is in your graveyard.

LE

Soul Shredder

Creature - Spirit

Uncommon

2BB

2/2

If Soul Shredder attacks, it the defending player loses two life. Defection: 2, pay 2 life. (During each player's upkeep that player may pay 2 and 2 life to take control of this creature. You may pay 2 and 2 life to counter this ability.)

KF

Soul Siphon

Instant

Uncommon

1B

 

Remove all mana from your mana pool. Add an equal amount of black mana to target player's mana pool.

LE

Static Energy

Enchant Creature

Common

1BB

 

Whenever enchanted creature damages any player, add an equal amount of black mana to that player's mana pool.

LE

Sudden Death

Instant

Common

B

 

Destroy target non-artifact creature. That creature's controller may pay 2 to regenerate that creature.

LE

Talonned Skeleton

Creature - Zombie

Uncommon

2B

3/2

Trample. First strike. Any player may sacrifice a permanent to deal one point of damage to this creature.

KF

The Cost of War

Enchantment

Rare

1BB

 

Whenever a creature is placed in any graveyard from play, that player's owner pays one life and you gain one life. If Cost of War is placed in any graveyard from play, each opponent pays 3 life and you gain 3 life.

LE

Thirst for Power

Enchantment

Uncommon

2B

 

All creatures you control get +2/+2. Any opponent may sacrifice a permanent to tap target creature you control. Any opponent may sacrifice an enchantment to destroy this enchantment.

ES

Thundering Undead

Creature - Zombie

Common

3B

5/4

Trample. Any player may sacrifice a creature to destroy Thundering Undead. If destroyed in this manner, Thundering Undead cannot be regenerated this turn.

KF

Unprepared Charge

Sorcery

Uncommon

BBBB

 

Target player sacrifices all tapped creatures he or she controls. Discard Unprepared Charge: target player sacrifices a tapped creature he or she controls.

ES

Unstable Memories

Sorcery

Rare

3B

 

Search your library for a card and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library afterwards. Discard Unstable Memories: return target card in your graveyard toyour hand. If Unstable Memories is in your graveyard at the end of your turn, discard a card at random.

ES

Vomitious Cadaver

Creature - Zombie

Uncommon

2B

2/2

When Vomitious Cadaver comes into play, all opponent controlled creatures gain summoning sickness until the end of turn.

LE

Wall of the Dead

Creature - Wall

Rare

3B

0/4

Whenever a creature is placed in any graveyard on the same turn it was blocked by Wall of the Dead, Wall of the Dead gains additional strength and toughness equal to that of the creature that died.

KF

Wandering Zombies

Creature - Zombies

Common

2B

2/2

B: regenerate.

LE

Whale Hunters

Creature - Ship

Uncommon

1B

3/1

First strike. Island-home. Tap: destroy target blue creature blocked by Whale Hunters.

LE

Withering Disease

Enchant Creature

Common

1B

 

Enchanted creature gains "Upkeep: place a -1/-1 counter on this creature."

KF

Zombie Field

Enchantment

Common

2B

 

1B: put a zombie token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 black creature with haste. Remove this creature from the game at the end of the turn.

KF

Legend:
LE - Lord's of the Earth
ES - Edgecomb's Stand
KF - Kardan's Fall

Please note: for the sake of the space on the page I have ommitted quotes and card numbers. If we decide to go ahead with these cards, I assume we will have to do a bit of adding and subtracting of cards to fit the state of the environment when they would be released, so the numbering will probably have to be totally redone then. For more thoughts on quotes and numbering, please see the section titled "Other Thoughts" off of the main page.
Black
LotE
Games
Ideas
c2m

WDATM?