Contract Killing

Strategy & Gameplay

Contract Killing is a versatile removal spell that bridges the gap between creature interaction and mana acceleration, making it an excellent addition to black decks across multiple formats. For five mana, you get straightforward creature destruction combined with two Treasure tokens, which effectively reduces the spell's net cost while providing flexible mana generation for future turns. This efficiency makes it particularly attractive in midrange and control strategies where you need to answer threats while maintaining tempo and resources for your own game plan. The inclusion of Treasure token generation elevates Contract Killing beyond simple removal, as these artifacts enable explosive turns, color-fixing in multicolor decks, and acceleration toward casting larger threats or multiple spells in a single turn. In Commander and other multiplayer formats, the token generation becomes even more valuable, allowing you to ramp into your strategy while clearing the board of problematic creatures. The spell fits naturally into black-based midrange decks, aristocrat strategies that benefit from artifact tokens, and control shells that need efficient answers to creatures while advancing their mana development. Its legality across Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander means you can build around it in virtually any constructed format, while Pauper and Penny Dreadful players also have access to this powerful effect. Whether you're looking for removal that doesn't leave you behind on resources or seeking a way to generate multiple Treasures while answering threats, Contract Killing delivers both efficiently, making it a smart inclusion for players looking to optimize their black-based strategies.