Graveblade Marauder MTG Card


Graveblade Marauder offers card advantage by converting graveyard creature count into direct opponent damage. Instant speed spells synergize with its ability, increasing damage and providing surprise attacks. Mana cost specifics and reliance on a stocked graveyard can limit its flexibility in certain decks.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Deathtouch
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.) Whenever Graveblade Marauder deals combat damage to a player, that player loses life equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.


Cards like Graveblade Marauder

Graveblade Marauder is a unique creature card in MTG that shines in decks focusing on graveyard mechanics. Its ability to deal damage to a player equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard makes it a formidable threat. A card that shares a similar graveyard-dependent damage theme is Death’s Shadow. While Death’s Shadow grows stronger as your life total decreases, Graveblade Marauder leverages the amassed power of fallen creatures, illustrating a different strategy for exploiting the grave’s resources.

Another comparable card is Sir Konrad, the Grim, which deals damage to each opponent whenever a creature card leaves your graveyard. Although Sir Konrad has a broader trigger condition, Graveblade Marauder can potentially deal more damage with a single hit. Ghoulcaller Gisa is another card that interacts nicely with the graveyard, although she focuses on creating zombie tokens rather than dealing direct damage. Each of these cards provides different advantages in MTG games that revolve around death and reanimation motifs.

While each card approaches graveyard synergy from diverse angles, Graveblade Marauder holds its own niche, especially for players who enjoy seeing their creatures’ post-mortem impact on the game. Considering these alternatives, the Marauder definitely carries a unique threat level in MTG’s vast card pool.

Death's Shadow - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller Gisa - MTG Card versions
Death's Shadow - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller Gisa - MTG Card versions

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Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
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Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Graveblade Marauder’s ability to deal damage to an opponent equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard can turn into card advantage by effectively bypassing potential blockers and hitting the opponent directly. This combines combat damage with an additional way to pressure life totals, making it an impactful presence on the board every turn it attacks.

Resource Acceleration: Although not providing traditional mana acceleration, the Graveblade Marauder supports resource acceleration through strategic graveyard filling. By increasing the number of creature cards in your graveyard, you expedite the damage-dealing process, allowing you to end games more quickly and efficiently.

Instant Speed Interaction: One of the subtler benefits the Graveblade Marauder offers is its synergy with instant speed spells that fill the graveyard. Spells cast at instant speed on your opponent’s turn to discard or mill creature cards add surprise value to the Marauder’s attack, potentially escalating its damage output unexpectedly and swinging the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Graveblade Marauder does not have an inherent discard requirement, however, its ability relies on creatures in your graveyard to be effective. Without a robust graveyard, its potential is greatly diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both black mana and generic mana, Graveblade Marauder demands a specific color commitment. This can limit deck-building flexibility, especially in multi-colored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 1/4 creature for three mana is reasonable, the true value of Graveblade Marauder lies in its triggered ability. This ability only activates upon dealing combat damage to a player, which can be challenging against decks with strong defenses. Additionally, there may be more efficient creatures or spells at a lower mana cost that can contribute to board presence or graveyard strategy without the need for combat.


Reasons to Include Graveblade Marauder in Your Collection

Versatility: Graveblade Marauder is a prime candidate for any black-based deck structure, lending itself well to a variety of strategies. Not only can it serve as a reliable creature on the board, but its ability to deal damage equivalent to the number of creature cards in your graveyard can turn it into a significant threat in longer games.

Combo Potential: This card shines within deck archetypes that emphasize graveyard manipulation. Pairing the Marauder with self-mill cards or dredge mechanics can amplify its damage-dealing capability. Additionally, it can become a centrepiece in decks that focus on reanimating creatures, maximizing the dual benefits of graveyard stocking and increased damage output.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard strategies are prevalent, Graveblade Marauder can swiftly become a game-changer. Its ability to press the advantage without relying on direct attacks allows it to fit seamlessly into the overarching game plan, maintaining relevance in various meta shifts and ensuring its utility in diverse play patterns.


How to beat

Graveblade Marauder is a card that brings a devious strategy to Magic: The Gathering, capitalizing on a graveyard filled with creatures to deal significant damage to an opponent. Sporting deathtouch, it can readily dispose of opposing creatures in combat, creating a formidable obstacle. However, overcoming this card requires a tactical approach. One strategy is by employing graveyard removal abilities to minimize the power of its ability, ensuring that even if it connects with a player, the damage dealt is minimal. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog can effectively exile entire graveyards, greatly diminishing the Marauder’s potential.

Another tactic is the use of instant-speed removal spells to dispatch the Marauder before its ability can trigger upon dealing combat damage. Counterspells are also an excellent defense, preventing the Marauder from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Alternatively, taking advantage of its reliance on creatures in the graveyard, you can avoid trading creatures in combat or use removal spells that exile rather than send creatures to the graveyard. Ensnaring this marauder before it can exploit a stocked graveyard is key to stifling its strength.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Graveblade Marauder MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins Promos and Magic Origins, 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 Graveblade Marauder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Graveblade Marauder Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 101s2015NormalBlackJason Rainville
22015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 1012015NormalBlackJason Rainville
32022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 2512015NormalBlackJason Rainville
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 772015NormalBlackJason Rainville
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4222015NormalBlackJason Rainville

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Graveblade Marauder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-06-22 Count the number of creature cards in your graveyard as the ability resolves to determine how much life is lost. Notably, this could include any other creature you owned that died in combat, and perhaps even Graveblade Marauder itself.