---
name: "Kaervek the Merciless"
mana_cost: "{5}{B}{R}"
cmc: 7
type_line: "Legendary Creature — Human Shaman"
colors: []
color_identity: ["B", "R"]
keywords: []
set: "DSC"
set_name: "Duskmourn: House of Horror Commander"
collector_number: "222"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Heonhwa"
oracle_id: "c7b72d38-0aa0-4e17-9dd5-9276d7cb21ec"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/kaervek-the-merciless-dsc"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Kaervek the Merciless
- **Mana Cost:** `{5}{B}{R}` (CMC: 7)
- **Type:** Legendary Creature — Human Shaman

## Oracle Text
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, Kaervek deals damage equal to that spell's mana value to any target.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Kessig Flamebreather](/printing/kessig-flamebreather-vow.md) — Creature — Human Shaman
2. [Kaervek, the Spiteful](/printing/kaervek-the-spiteful-m21.md) — Legendary Creature — Human Warlock
3. [Eidolon of the Great Revel](/printing/eidolon-of-the-great-revel-a25.md) — Enchantment Creature — Spirit
4. [Mage Hunter](/printing/mage-hunter-stx.md) — Creature — Horror
5. [Burning-Tree Shaman](/printing/burning-tree-shaman-gpt.md) — Creature — Centaur Shaman
6. [Magebane Lizard](/printing/magebane-lizard-otj.md) — Creature — Lizard

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Duskmourn: House of Horror Commander (DSC) #222
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Heonhwa

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`

## Official Rulings
- *(2021-03-19)* For spells with {X} in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value.
- *(2021-03-19)* An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
- *(2021-03-19)* Alternative costs, additional costs, and cost reductions don't change a spell's mana value. Its mana value is still based on its mana cost.