Quick Answer

Sudden Death is a uncommon Instant from TSP (TSP) costing {1}{B}{B}. Current price: $0.17 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Sudden Death MTG card

Sudden Death

Instant

Card Text

Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.

Some mages tapped into the time rifts, forcing upon others alternate timelines in which unimaginable horrors befall them.

Card Stats

uncommon CMC: 3.0 TSP TSP 🎨 Dave Allsop
Split second

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.17
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$2.59
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.06
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.87
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (2 total)

Community Stats

-
Decks Using This Card
-
Comments

Often Played With

Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sudden Death? Basics

Sudden Death is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn."

How much mana does Sudden Death cost to cast? Basics

Sudden Death has a mana cost of {1}{B}{B}, which equals 3.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires B mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Sudden Death's mana cost of {1}{B}{B} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Sudden Death has a mana value of 3.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Sudden Death's current oracle text is: "Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn."

What is the current price of Sudden Death? Pricing

The current market price for Sudden Death is approximately $0.17 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $2.59 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.06 EUR.

Where can I buy Sudden Death? Pricing

You can purchase Sudden Death from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Sudden Death normal: $0.17 | foil: $2.59

Is Sudden Death legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Sudden Death in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Sudden Death legal in Modern? Legality

Sudden Death is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Sudden Death legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Sudden Death is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Sudden Death legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Sudden Death in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Sudden Death legal in Legacy? Legality

Sudden Death is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Sudden Death legal in Vintage? Legality

Sudden Death is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Sudden Death legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Sudden Death in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Sudden Death from? Details

This printing of Sudden Death is from TSP (TSP), with collector number 134.

Sudden Death may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Sudden Death's rarity? Details

Sudden Death is a uncommon card in TSP.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Sudden Death? Details

Sudden Death was illustrated by Dave Allsop.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

Log in to leave a comment

Loading comments...

Want to build a deck with this card?

Sign up or log in to start deck building

Log In to Build Decks