Liliana, Dreadhorde General MTG Card


She excels in card advantage, converting creature loss into deck cycling opportunities. High mana cost challenges deck flexibility, competing with other late-game spells. Versatile in any collection, she defines meta play with synergistic sacrificial strategies.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Liliana
Loyalty 6

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control dies, draw a card.
+1: Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
-4: Each player sacrifices two creatures.
-9: Each opponent chooses a permanent they control of each permanent type and sacrifices the rest.


Cards like Liliana, Dreadhorde General

Liliana, Dreadhorde General is a standout among planeswalker cards in Magic the Gathering. When assessing her against other options like Sorin Markov or Teferi, Hero of Dominaria, her unique abilities shine through. Sorin Markov sets the tone with his life-setting ability, but lacks the broad creature control and card drawing mechanisms that Liliana provides. On the flip side, Teferi brings card draw and temporary removal, yet he does not offer the same sweeping board impact or the ability to generate a consistent flow of zombie tokens for each creature demise as Liliana does.

Another comparison can be drawn with Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God, who boasts a powerful set of abilities, reflecting those of all other planeswalkers in play. Despite this, Liliana still carves her niche with her essential role in sacrifice-focused strategies and her ultimate ability that can turn the tide by forcing a massive sacrifice from opponents. This significant difference in gameplay approach underscores Liliana’s value in decks crafted around synergy with creature death.

To summarize, Liliana, Dreadhorde General’s capacity for board control, substantial card advantage, and the pressure she exerts on opponents through her token generation and sacrifice ultimatum place her high in the upper echelons of planeswalker cards, especially within specific strategic frameworks.

Sorin Markov - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria - MTG Card versions
Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God - MTG Card versions
Sorin Markov - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria - MTG Card versions
Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Liliana, Dreadhorde General by color, type and mana cost

Professor Onyx - MTG Card versions
Sorin Markov - MTG Card versions
Vraska, Scheming Gorgon - MTG Card versions
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Vraska, Betrayal's Sting - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Liliana, Dreadhorde General. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Orzhov PlaneswalkersOrzhov Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Mono-Black RampMono-Black Ramp GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Mono-Black ControlMono-Black Control GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
SuperfriendsSuperfriends ModernSuperfriendsModern League 2023-12-01

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Liliana, Dreadhorde General offers a unique edge in card economy. Her static ability lets players draw a card whenever a creature under their control dies, turning board wipes into opportunities and making each creature a potential source for cycling through your deck.

Resource Acceleration: With Liliana on the battlefield, players can quickly populate the board with Zombie tokens through her -4 loyalty ability. These tokens not only serve as blockers but can also be sacrificed for further card draw or used synergistically with other cards to ramp up mana or power for a game-winning play.

Instant Speed: Although Liliana herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her impact on the game is immediate. By forcing each player to sacrifice two creatures, she can drastically alter the board state in your favor at a moment’s notice. Plus, being a planeswalker, she requires an answer from opponents, often at instant speed, lest they fall behind in the ongoing battle for board control and card advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect that can be considered a downside of this card is its discard ability. While powerful in strategizing, this requirement can put players at a disadvantage, particularly when their hand is already depleted or when crucial cards are needed for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Liliana Dreadhorde General requires a very specific mana assembly to be cast – one black mana and five others. This can potentially be a drawback in multicolored decks where mana is already spread thin and the right mana sources are not always guaranteed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana to bring Liliana, Dreadhorde General into play, she comes onto the battlefield later than many other planeswalkers. Given her powerful abilities, the cost is understandable, but for faster-paced games or in metagames where efficiency is paramount, this could be seen as a stumbling block, competing with other high-impact six-mana spells.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Liliana, Dreadhorde General offers a broad utility across various game situations. As a planeswalker with a high loyalty count, she can be a game-changer in both aggressive and control decks alike. Her ability to create zombies helps establish board presence, while her static ability to draw cards upon creature deaths gives her excellent synergy in decks that capitalize on sacrificial tactics.

Combo Potential: This card can be the linchpin in powerful combos, especially in decks that focus on graveyard strategies. When creatures die, not only do you draw cards, but with the right setup, you can exploit those deaths for mana generation, reanimation, or other potent effects. Liliana’s ultimate is a match-ending ability in itself when combined with the right sequence of plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG’s meta is constantly evolving, having a versatile and powerful planeswalker like Liliana, Dreadhorde General can be pivotal. She’s well-suited to matchups involving creature-heavy decks by providing an edge through her passive and active abilities, making her a solid choice in many competitive environments.


How to beat

Liliana, Dreadhorde General is a commanding presence on the battlefield in the world of Magic the Gathering. Renowned for her ability to create a formidable army of Zombie tokens, her real power lies in her ultimate ability which makes each player sacrifice permanents and drains life. Her versatility is unmatched, as she serves as both a formidable asset for board control and card advantage.

To effectively counter Liliana, Dreadhorde General, it’s crucial to focus on disrupting her loyalty abilities. Direct damage spells or creatures that can target planeswalkers, like Fry or Questing Beast, are potent tools against her. Another strategy relies on the use of instant speed removal or countermagic such as Negate or Disallow when she is cast, stopping her influence before it starts. Utilizing pressure through aggressive creatures can force an opponent to use her minus ability defensively, which limits her long-term impact and makes her easier to manage.

Tackling Liliana, Dreadhorde General often requires piercing through the zombie tokens she generates. Board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Ritual of Soot can reset the playing field, weakening her protective barrier and making her vulnerable. When building a game plan against her, patience, timing, and control are the keys to diminishing the Dreadhorde’s power.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the delicate balance of power and strategy in MTG can turn a good player into a great one. With cards like Liliana, Dreadhorde General offering both formidable abilities and a few challenges, smart deck construction becomes essential. Improve your play by integrating Liliana into strategies that benefit from her strengths and mitigate her weaknesses. Curious about maximizing her potential or finding that perfect card synergy to dominate the battlefield? Visit us for insights and advanced tactics that will enrich your MTG experience and help you make the most of this powerful planeswalker in your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Liliana, Dreadhorde General MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Liliana, Dreadhorde General and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Liliana, Dreadhorde General Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 780172015NormalBlackChris Rallis
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 722832015NormalBlackYoshitaka Amano
32019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 972015NormalBlackChris Rallis
42019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 97★2015NormalBlackYoshitaka Amano
52019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 97s★2015NormalBlackYoshitaka Amano
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 97s2015NormalBlackChris Rallis
72019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 97p2015NormalBlackChris Rallis
82019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 5102015NormalBlackChris Rallis
92024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 802015NormalBlackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Liliana, Dreadhorde General has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 As Liliana’s last ability resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it’s somehow an opponent’s turn, that opponent) makes all of their choices for it, then each other opponent in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Then all the unchosen permanents are sacrificed at the same time.
2019-05-03 As Liliana’s second loyalty ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses two creatures they control, then each other player in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Then all the chosen creatures are sacrificed at the same time. If any player can choose only one creature, that player does so.
2019-05-03 If Liliana dies at the same time as one or more creatures you control, her first ability triggers for each of those creatures.
2019-05-03 If Liliana somehow becomes a creature and dies, her first ability will trigger.
2019-05-03 The permanent types are artifact, creature, enchantment, land, and planeswalker. Supertypes, like legendary, aren’t permanent types.
2019-05-03 While making choices for Liliana’s last ability, if a permanent has more than one permanent type, it can count for any of them. For example, you could choose an artifact creature as the artifact you’re sparing, another creature as the creature, and an enchantment creature as the enchantment. Similarly, you could choose an enchantment creature as both the creature and the enchantment that you’re sparing, even if you control another creature and/or another enchantment.