Master of Cruelties

Description

The 2022 Magic: The Gathering Double Masters release features the Etched Mythic Rare Master of Cruelties, card number 522. This distinctive parallel offers collectors a premium tactile finish that elevates the standard trading card experience. Designed by Chase Stone, this creature card brings a unique aesthetic to the Double Masters set, distinguishing itself through its specialized etched treatment which is highly valued by enthusiasts of premium TCG products. Master of Cruelties is a five-mana Demon creature that commands attention on the battlefield. With a mana cost of three generic, one black, and one red mana, it enters the game as a five-mana investment. Despite its modest power and toughness of 1/4, it possesses two critical abilities that define its strategic role: first strike and deathtouch. These keywords ensure that it can eliminate opposing creatures before they can strike back, making it a formidable blocker and a dangerous attacker in controlled engagements. The card’s most defining mechanic involves a conditional attack clause. Master of Cruelties can only attack alone, meaning it cannot be supported by other creatures during the combat phase. However, if it successfully attacks a player and remains unblocked, a powerful effect triggers: that player’s life total becomes one. To balance this devastating outcome, the card assigns no combat damage during that same combat. This creates a high-stakes dynamic where players must carefully evaluate whether the life total reduction outweighs the lack of direct damage. For collectors, the Etched finish provides a unique texture and visual depth that sets it apart from standard nonfoil or foil versions. As part of the Double Masters series, this card is designed for high-quality presentation, appealing to those who build collections based on finish and rarity. The combination of the mythic rare status, the specific etched treatment, and the iconic Demon creature type makes this a notable addition to any Magic: The Gathering library.