Hero's Downfall is one of the newest "Theros" spoilers revealed today Sept. 9, 2013 from Wizards of the Coast's upcoming expert "Magic: The Gathering" expansion set in an article by Erik Lauer on DailyMtg.com. Hero's Downfall is the first mono-black spell that specifically destroys a planeswalker.
Hero's Downfall - 1BB
Instant (Rare)
Destroy target creature or planeswalker.
Destiny exalts a chosen few, but even heroes break.
For the same cost as Murder Hero's Downfall allows you to destroy a creature or planeswalker. The added versatility and power of Hero's Downfall is what makes this card a rare. Although Dreadbore has the same exact game text, it requires you to be playing both red and black in addition to being a sorcery. Hero's Downfall can be played during an opponent's turn and gives control players a viable answer to an early Xenagos, the Reveler or Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver if they weren't able to Negate it.
Hero's Downfall can be used in any deck as long there's a significant commitment to black because of the double black required to cast it. For comparison, Ultimate Price, Go for the Throat, and Doom Blade will all conditionally destroy creatures for one less black mana. That one mana difference can be a huge deal if an opponent is on the play and casts a first turn Rakdos Cackler second turn Ash Zealot.
There's no doubt Hero's Downfall will see competitive play in Standard and perhaps even beyond. If you enjoy playing black you'll want to pick up a playset.
How will you use Hero's Downfall?
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