Certain Death (W17 #16), a key black sorcery from the 2017 Magic: The Gathering Welcome Deck designed to control the board through life total manipulation.
Certain Death
2017 • Magic: The Gathering • Welcome Deck
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Description
Certain Death serves as a pivotal black sorcery within the 2017 Magic: The Gathering Welcome Deck, offering players a reliable method to remove threats while simultaneously improving their life totals. As card number 16 in the set, this common spell embodies the aggressive and controlling nature of the black mana color identity. With a mana cost of five generic mana and one black mana, it provides a substantial board presence for its investment, making it a staple in decks focused on attrition and resource denial. The card’s effect is straightforward yet devastating: it destroys a target creature and forces its controller to lose two life, while the caster gains two life. This dual benefit makes it exceptionally versatile, allowing players to both eliminate opposing threats and stabilize their own position in prolonged games. The flavor text hints at the terrifying nature of the card, describing spirits that cling to victims until a moment of all-consuming terror, adding narrative depth to its mechanical impact. For collectors and players alike, Certain Death represents a foundational piece of the Welcome Deck's design philosophy. It introduces newcomers to the strategic importance of life total manipulation and creature removal, essential concepts in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The card’s simplicity and effectiveness make it a valuable tool for deck builders looking to construct efficient black-based strategies. Its inclusion in the Welcome Deck ensures that players have access to a proven and impactful spell right from the start of their journey. Whether you are building a competitive deck or simply exploring the rich lore of Magic: The Gathering, Certain Death offers a compelling blend of mechanical utility and thematic resonance. Its status as a common card in the W17 set highlights its role as a versatile and accessible option for players of all skill levels. The card’s enduring relevance in the game’s ecosystem underscores its importance as a classic example of black mana’s destructive potential.
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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
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Featured
Certain Death
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Common
Kev Walker
Card Stock
English
{5}{B}
Sorcery
B
Card Text
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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.














