Delve doesn't only produce headline-grabbing bans and format-defining commanders. Some of its most useful cards are quiet, affordable staples that have stuck around in budget decks for a decade without ever drawing much controversy.
Murderous Cut and Become Immense are the two best examples of this. Both were printed in Khans of Tarkir alongside the mechanic's more famous cards, and both remain cheap to acquire while still punching well above their price tag in actual games.
This guide covers what each card does, why they're such efficient budget picks, and how to get the most value out of them without needing a dedicated graveyard package.
For anyone building a delve deck on a budget, these two cards are usually the first additions worth making.
Murderous Cut is an instant that destroys target creature for a base cost of four generic mana and one black mana, a cost that collapses to as little as a single black mana through delve. Unconditional removal at that price point is a significant tempo swing in almost any matchup.
Unlike some delve cards, Murderous Cut doesn't need a dedicated graveyard-filling package to feel cheap; ordinary deck operation, including lands going to the graveyard from fetch effects or just normal attrition, is usually enough.
Become Immense is an instant that gives a creature plus 6/6 until end of turn for a base cost of five generic mana and one green mana, again reducible through delve. Turning almost any creature into a lethal attacker out of nowhere makes it one of the most explosive combat tricks ever printed in green.
Its power comes from surprise as much as raw stats, since an opponent blocking what looks like a manageable creature can suddenly be facing down a double-digit power attacker.
Neither Murderous Cut nor Become Immense has ever been banned or restricted in any format, a meaningful contrast to their Khans of Tarkir set-mates Treasure Cruise and Dig Through Time. Both require an actual board state or combat step to matter, rather than generating pure card advantage on their own.
That distinction, needing to interact with the board rather than just refilling a hand, is a big part of why Wizards has never needed to revisit either card's legality.
Because Murderous Cut only needs generic mana covered by delve, it's flexible enough to slot into almost any black deck, not just dedicated delve strategies. Holding it until the graveyard has a few cards in it, rather than casting it at full price on turn one, is usually the correct play whenever possible.
Its instant speed also means it can be held up as removal during an opponent's turn, adding real interactive value beyond just its low cost.
Become Immense rewards patience and math, since knowing exactly how much delve fuel is available before attacking changes whether a trade is actually safe for the opponent. Bluffing a Become Immense in hand can also deter blocks even when the graveyard isn't actually stocked enough to cast it cheaply.
Pairing it with an evasive or hard-to-block creature maximizes its value, since a blocked attacker that gets pumped still only trades unless the pump also grants some form of evasion.
Because neither card carries the reputation or scarcity of a banned staple, both remain inexpensive to pick up compared to many other efficient delve cards. That affordability makes them an easy recommendation for anyone building a first delve deck without wanting to chase pricier staples immediately.
Their reliability across formats also means a purchase now stays useful whether a player ends up focusing on Commander, Legacy, or casual kitchen-table Magic.
Murderous Cut and Become Immense both pair naturally with creature-based delve cards like Gurmag Angler and Hooting Mandrills, since all four cards benefit from the same fetch-land-and-cantrip fuel base without needing a dedicated self-mill package. Building a deck around this core gives a strong, affordable foundation before adding pricier pieces like Tasigur.
Because none of these four cards are banned anywhere, this core remains legal and effective in essentially every format that allows the Khans of Tarkir card pool.
No, it remains legal in every format that allows Khans of Tarkir cards.
It gives a creature plus 6/6 until end of turn.
No, ordinary deck operation is usually enough to fuel it.
Instant speed, so it can be held up during an opponent's turn.
Budget-friendly staples like these are exactly the kind of cards that get shuffled into decks constantly, so they need durable protection more than showpiece rares do. EVORETRO Toploaders keep budget singles safe without a big investment.
Perfect Fit inner sleeves are a cheap way to add extra protection before shuffling these staples into your main deck.
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