Corpse Harvester MTG Card


Corpse Harvester offers card advantage through token generation and strategic library searches. It functions at instant speed, giving players the option to act reactively and retain the element of surprise. The high cost and sacrifice requirement necessitate careful consideration of deck composition and timing.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Wizard
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

, , Sacrifice a creature: Search your library for a Zombie card and a swamp card, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.


Cards like Corpse Harvester

Corpse Harvester stands out within the niche of Zombie tribal synergies in Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the traits of other Zombie lords, but with distinct utilities. It provides a consistent means of filling the graveyard, akin to Undead Warchief, which also boosts Zombie creatures. However, Corpse Harvester’s advantage lies in its ability to specifically tutor for Zombies and land.

In comparison, we have Cemetery Reaper, another card that benefits the undead legion. While it can’t fetch creatures or land, it has the power to exhaust opposing graveyards, creating more Zombies. There’s also Zombie Master, which doesn’t tutor, but instead offers a resilience element by granting regeneration and swampwalk to your Zombies. Corpse Harvester, with its search and sacrifice mechanics, excels at both board control and strategic deck thinning.

Ultimately, Corpse Harvester is a strategic linchpin in Zombie-themed decks. Its duality as a tutor and a sacrificing outlet provides flexibility and control, carving a unique niche among its undead counterparts. Its synergy within the archetype makes it a valuable asset for players looking to optimize their horde of walkers.

Undead Warchief - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Reaper - MTG Card versions
Zombie Master - MTG Card versions
Undead Warchief - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Reaper - MTG Card versions
Zombie Master - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Corpse Harvester by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
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Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Coffin Puppets - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Corpse Harvester excels at ensuring you stay ahead in terms of card options. This creature not only provides you with a steady stream of zombie tokens to use as fodder, but also allows you to search your library for more cards, thereby bolstering your hand and strategic possibilities.

Resource Acceleration: By sacrificing a creature, Corpse Harvester helps you ramp up your mana resources, granting you access to the lands necessary to cast high-impact spells faster. This form of resource acceleration can be pivotal for turning the tide in a game, providing the mana you need when you need it.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Corpse Harvester’s ability can be used at the speed of one, as it is an activated ability that doesn’t require tapping. This allows you to wait until the last possible moment to make decisions, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing you to maximize the benefits of your plays without giving away your strategy prematurely.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Corpse Harvester demands a creature sacrifice as part of its activation cost. This cost can hinder your board presence, especially if you’re already facing resource depletion.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and colorless mana, Corpse Harvester’s activation cost can be restrictive for multicolored or splash decks, potentially limiting its integration into various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combination of five mana necessary to cast and additional costs for its ability, Corpse Harvester can be a steep investment. This is especially cumbersome when compared to other cards in the same mana range that may provide immediate impact without additional resource commitments.


Reasons to Include Corpse Harvester in Your Collection

Versatility: Corpse Harvester proves to be a flexible addition for any deck that leverages graveyard strategies. Its ability to search for both a Zombie card and a Swamp ensures consistent land drops while reinforcing your undead army.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations, particularly in Zombie tribal decks. By sacrificing creatures, Corpse Harvester fuels graveyard synergies and sets the stage for powerful reanimation spells or abilities that benefit from creatures hitting the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, having reliable tutors and efficient means of filling your graveyard can be paramount. Corpse Harvester offers both, making it a relevant choice for those looking to adapt and overcome in shifting metas that favor resource manipulation and graveyard mechanics.


How to beat

Corpse Harvester is a formidable creature card in MTG that has the ability to be a real game-changer in any zombie deck. Its strength lies in the combination of tutor and landcycling abilities, allowing for strategic thinning of the deck and ensuring the right creatures and lands are pulled into hand. Critical for its setup is its tap ability which, when used effectively, can bring an army of undead to overrun opponents.

To counter the Corpse Harvester, swift removal is key. Cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can dispatch it before the player has a chance to use its abilities, cutting off their access to essential zombie reinforcements and mana stability. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus also play a crucial role, as they can prevent the use of Corpse Harvester’s ability to its full potential by removing the targets it relies on from the game entirely.

It’s also imperative to manage the battlefield effectively; keeping the number of zombies under control will make the Corpse Harvester much less effective. Cards that control the board state, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear away zombie threats and leave the Harvester without fodder for its power. In essence, strategic removal and graveyard control can neutralize the threat posed by Corpse Harvester in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the strategic nuances of Corpse Harvester in MTG is an enriching challenge that can significantly enhance your gameplay. Harnessing the prowess of this card leads to a deeper understanding of graveyard tactics and resource management. Reap the benefits of tactical deck thinning, and leverage your undead minions to outmaneuver your foes. Dive deeper into the world of MTG and refine your strategies by welcoming Corpse Harvester into your arsenal — a move that’s as insightful as it is rewarding. Your journey towards becoming a formidable player is ongoing; let Corpse Harvester guide you to your next victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Corpse Harvester MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Planechase, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Corpse Harvester and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Corpse Harvester Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 621997NormalBlackMark Tedin
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 222003NormalBlackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Corpse Harvester has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corpse Harvester card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 You do not have to find a Zombie card or swamp card if you do not want to, even if you have them in your library.