Certain Death (EMN-84) is a black sorcery from the 2019 Magic: The Gathering The List set, offering a potent combination of creature removal and life gain.
Certain Death
2019 • Magic: The Gathering • The List
No Listings Available
No listings available right now.
Market & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.22 | Guide Estimate | +37.5% | ||
- $0.22
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- +37.5%
- Price Details
30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Sep 20, 2026
Description
Certain Death (EMN-84) stands as a formidable black sorcery within the Magic: The Gathering The List product, originally released in 2019. This card features a mana cost of five generic mana and one black mana, requiring a total mana value of six to cast. As a common rarity card from the The List subset, it provides a straightforward yet effective mechanical effect for players building mono-black or black-heavy decks. The card's primary function allows you to destroy a target creature on the battlefield, simultaneously causing its controller to lose two life while you gain two life. This dual effect of removal and life swing makes it a versatile tool for controlling the game state and stabilizing your board position. The design of Certain Death aligns with the distinctive aesthetic of The List, a unique set in Magic: The Gathering history that features reprinted cards from various earlier sets, all bearing the Eldraine set code (EMN) and a specific card number format. In this case, the card is cataloged as EMN-84, linking it to the 2019 The List release. The flavor text accompanying the card evokes a chilling narrative, hinting at spirits that feed on fear until a moment of terror, adding thematic depth to the mechanical action of draining life and destroying a creature. Artists like Kev Walker have contributed to the visual identity of these reprints, ensuring they fit seamlessly into the broader Magic: The Gathering universe while maintaining their original power and rules text. For collectors, Certain Death represents an interesting piece of Magic: The Gathering lore and mechanics. Collecting cards from The List allows enthusiasts to own powerful staples from the game's history in a unified package. Whether you are a veteran player looking to refresh your library or a new collector interested in black sorceries, Certain Death offers a classic example of efficient black magic. Its ability to remove threats and gain life makes it a staple in many competitive and casual formats, ensuring its relevance in both gameplay and collector circles. The card's simple yet impactful design and rules text make it a reliable choice for any Magic: The Gathering collection.
Have one of these to sell?
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Certain Death
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Common
Kev Walker
Card Stock
English
{5}{B}
Sorcery
B
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Destroy target creature. Its controller loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Some spirits cling to one person, feasting on the growing fear until a final moment of all-consuming terror.










