Unearth MTG Card


Unearth returns creatures cheaply, making it a staple in graveyard-based decks. Instant-like flexibility allows Unearth to surprise opponents during critical moments. Its cycling ability mitigates the downsides of a potentially redundant card.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Choose target creature card in your graveyard with total casting cost 3 or less and put that creature into play. Cycling (You may pay and discard this card from your hand to draw a card. Play this ability as an instant.)


Cards like Unearth

Unearth is an intriguing utility card in Magic: The Gathering that finds a niche in strategies revolving around reanimation and graveyard synergy. It bears a resemblance to cards such as Reanimate, which also returns a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield. The distinction lies in Unearth’s restriction to creatures with converted mana cost three or less, yet it compensates with a much lower casting cost.

Exhume is another card that shares Unearth’s theme of reviving creatures but operates differently, allowing each player to return a creature from their graveyard. This creates a potential drawback compared to the targeted precision that Unearth offers. Then there’s Animate Dead, a classic reanimation enchantment that brings back any sized creature but with a slight reduction in power and as an enchantment that can be answered more easily, unlike Unearth’s small window of interaction due to its speed as a sorcery.

In the realm of reanimation spells, Unearth stands out for its efficiency and specific utility. It may not bring back the most powerful of titans from the graveyard, but its low cost and cycling ability ensure it is rarely a dead card in hand, solidifying its position as a valuable piece in any graveyard-centric deck in Magic: The Gathering.

Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unearth by color, type and mana cost

Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Mind Peel - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Skull Fracture - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions
Raise Dead - MTG Card versions
Mind Twist - MTG Card versions
Contract from Below - MTG Card versions
Spoils of War - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Despair - MTG Card versions
Mind Peel - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdling Scream - MTG Card versions
Organ Harvest - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Bubbling Muck - MTG Card versions
Chorus of Woe - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Soul Strings - MTG Card versions
Skull Fracture - MTG Card versions
Restless Dreams - MTG Card versions
Cabal Therapy - MTG Card versions
Confront the Past - MTG Card versions
Stir the Grave - MTG Card versions
Cry of Contrition - MTG Card versions
Deathmark - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WUBWUB LegacyLegacy League 2024-04-25
GoblinsGoblins PauperGoblinsPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-19
WBRGWBRG PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-27
SkelementalsSkelementals ModernSkelementalsModern Challenge 32 2024-04-19
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange ModernMono-Black MidrangeModern League 2024-04-25
SacrificeSacrifice ModernSacrificeModern Challenge 64 2024-04-21 (1)
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyDoomsdayLegacy Challenge 32 2024-04-21
Goblin ComboGoblin Combo PauperGoblinsPauper Circus (IPT) - Playtime Merate

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Casting Unearth efficiently recovers a valuable creature from your graveyard, ensuring you sustain your presence on the battlefield without losing card economy.

Resource Acceleration: With a low casting cost, Unearth propels your gameplay by swiftly bringing back a key creature, ready to re-engage in Play without a heavy investment.

Instant Speed: Its instant-like ability to be cast at a pivotal moment gives you the flexibility to surprise your opponent and react to evolving board states during either player’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unearth demands a card be discarded to utilize its cycling ability. This can be a tactical setback when your hand is already scarce on playable options.

Specific Mana Cost: Unearth comes with a dedicated mana cost which includes black mana. This restriction means it seamlessly fits into black-based decks, but might not be as flexible in multicolor decks that aren’t heavily invested in black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of using Unearth’s return-from-graveyard feature can be somewhat steep compared to other reanimation spells in MTG. Players may find themselves weighing its three-mana investment against other powerful options that might bring back larger creatures or offer additional benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Unearth slides seamlessly into any deck that values bringing creatures back from the graveyard for a quick, impactful play. Its low mana cost and cycling ability offer flexibility in the most tense of situations.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or sacrifice abilities, Unearth can be a game-changing play. This card can single-handedly enable explosive turns, facilitating high-impact combos with ease.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based strategies frequently appearing in various metas, Unearth remains a relevant and potent card. It allows decks to quickly re-establish threats, making it an essential tool for combating control archetypes that rely heavily on creature removal.


How to beat Unearth

Understanding the dynamics of Unearth in Magic: The Gathering is key to turning the tides in your favor. This powerful reanimation ability allows players to return a creature card from their graveyard to the battlefield at a low cost. However, as potent as it is, Unearth is not without its vulnerabilities. The creature brought back with Unearth gains haste, making an immediate impact, but it’s exiled at the beginning of the next end step or if it leaves the battlefield. This means your window to counteract is narrowly timed but crucial.

To effectively combat Unearth, one must focus on instant-speed removal spells or graveyard disruption. Counters like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can exile the resurrected creatures before they wreak havoc, while cards like Leyline of the Void or Rest in Peace prevent Unearth strategies by removing the graveyard from play entirely. Timing and strategic planning pave the path to undermining Unearth’s temporary power surge. Staying one step ahead in these fleeting moments can secure your victory against an opponent relying on the ephemeral force of Unearth.

Ultimately, while Unearth has the potential to change the battlefield in a flash, its transient nature and the potency of instant-speed responses offer savvy players the opportunity to thrive against this strategy in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the intricate dance of strategy that MTG embodies, every card choice can be pivotal. Unearth, in its simplicity and potency, offers a chance to transform the graveyard into an arsenal, capable of turning the tides of play in an instant. The key to harnessing its power lies in understanding its nuances and identifying the opportune moments to capitalize on its return-from-graveyard ability. For those who command the black mana and wield their resources judiciously, Unearth is more than a card—it’s a statement of resilience and a tool for formidable comebacks. Integrate this gem into your collection and navigate through your battles with an edge that only nuanced knowledge can provide. Discover more strategies and elevate your MTG experience with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unearth MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy 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 Unearth and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Unearth Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-07-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 721997NormalBlackDon Hazeltine
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1022432015NormalBlackJeff Miracola
32018-03-16Masters 25A25 1132015NormalBlackJehan Choo
42019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 1132015NormalBlackJehan Choo
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3572015NormalBorderlessJeff Miracola
62022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 962015NormalBlackJehan Choo
72023-07-18Historic Anthology 7HA7 82015NormalBlackJehan Choo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unearth has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not.
2019-06-14 If a card in a player’s graveyard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.